Kentucky artists perform tornado benefit concert in downtown Somerset
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — United through the sound of music.
'It's just a chance for us to all get together, heal and rebuild,' said Tiffany Finley, executive director of the Master Musicians Festival.
Master Musicians Festival and The Virginia [in downtown Somerset] put on the 606 Strong Benefit Concert. In a region that is hurting, Tuesday's concert at the theater was all about uplifting people from Laurel and Pulaski counties after an EF-4 tornado caused destruction a week and a half ago.
'And know that they are doing it for a good cause, that somebody will be blessed by them buying that ticket tonight, but there is going to be a smile on their face for giving up that money, but also hearing some amazing music,' said Mayor Alan Keck.
Man agrees to Alford plea in connection with 2016 Lincoln County death
Kentucky artists perform tornado benefit concert in downtown Somerset
Fayette County schools vote to move forward with tax increase plan
More than 500 tickets were sold as seven performers took the stage.
'I know a guy who had a tattoo shop that it came down. I just want people to know that its somebody out there that is going to lend a helping hand, because that's what we do as Kentuckians,' Spooky Fox, a performer, said.
Tommy York, an attendee, said he and his friends were excited to hear some local music. They were also supporting their buddy who lost his grandmother because of the tornado.
'We came out for the tornado relief, helping out with that, came for a good time as well, ready to listen to some good music,' York said.
Laurel Lewis, a Laurel County native, said she took her name after her beloved county.
The artist now resides in Nashville and made the trip down for the concert. She said she is hurt by what her community had to endure.
Read more of the latest Kentucky news
'When I received word that I was asked to do this, I just couldn't have been more happy because I had wanted to give back to my community in a way that feels good to me and that I know I can do, and what I know I can do is music,' Lewis said.
Tuesday's concert raised more than $10,000, with proceeds going to the United Way of South Central Kentucky and the United Way of Laurel County, who are already helping those affected.
'We've already had phone calls from people who already know they are going to have long-term recovery needs, and we're excited to have those funds to provide for those,' said Reci Shook, Board President of United Way of South Central Kentucky.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Kentucky Kroger closes aisle after possible rodent infestation
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A possible rodent infestation is being investigated at a Louisville Kroger store. WDRB reported that the Louisville Health Department is investigating the Goss Avenue Kroger after evidence of a rodent infestation was found in three aisles, including bread and pasta products. Kentucky Kroger closes aisle after possible rodent infestation Beshear activates Emergency Operations Center ahead of 'No Kings' protests Lexington 'No Kings' rally to remain peaceful amid anti-ICE protests in LA The health department has ordered the store to close the affected aisles, remove everything from the shelves, and break them down to get rid of the pests. A Kroger spokesperson said the company worked with the Health Department to fully resolve the issue and ensure the store meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
The Virginia has been entertaining Somerset since 1920s
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56) — Somerset is a spot for food fanatics, lake lovers, and art admirers. The city is also not without history. The Virginia has been entertaining Somerset since the 1920s. As expected, the historic venue has changed since the doors first opened. It opened in 1922 as a local movie theater and for more than 70 years became part of the city's fondest memories. But the family-owned business fell on hard times, sitting vacant and deteriorating for nearly three decades. In 1994, The Virginia closed after an ice storm caused its roof to collapse. Somerset coffee shop looks to bounce back after being destroyed in May tornado The Virginia has been entertaining Somerset since 1920s Somerset looking to capitalize on growth through occupational tax hike Several years ago, Somerset bought the property from the city's downtown development corporation, spending $2.3 million to bring the theater back to life ahead of its 100th anniversary. The historic space is now more than a cinema, renovated into a multi-use venue. 'The Virginia Theater, what I like to call the artist formerly known as the Virginia Cinema, was one of the movie theaters located in downtown Somerset. One of the others was the Kentucky, which is now a parking lot. That was one of the main reasons why this community really banded together to try to refurbish this theater was to not let it become a parking lot and to let it be a part of the rich history of this community,' said John Alexander, the Pulaski County government's communications director. Last month, it hosted the 606-strong tornado relief benefit concert to raise money for storm survivors of May's horrific tornado that damaged parts of the area. Alexander is proud to have an iconic piece of the city back in play. He said if the lake is the city's lifeblood, then The Virginia is its heart. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'The community was very welcoming of it. I like to use the quote that Humphrey Bogart used in The Maltese Falcon: it's 'the stuff that dreams are made of.' This has been our dream for decades and to have it back open, to have it accessible to the public, and to be in a form that it's never been in before and to have a building that is modern, that does have modern sensibilities, then also a throwback to the past,' Alexander said. Alexander also hosts a classic movie series at the theater once a month. 'To me, it's a chance again to show people Somerset that when they visit here, when they visit the lake, when they visit this area, that it's something that they can come see that's modern but then also looks towards the past as well,' said Alexander. 'They can't stay on the lake 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So, to have things like this in downtown Somerset for people to go do outside of the lake and outside of that regular Memorial Day to Labor Day lake season is something that benefits everybody.' Friday night, the band Who's Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience is performing at the Virginia. The show starts at 8 p.m. For a list of other shows and events, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Kentucky health officials warn against use of kratom
LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kratom is a tropical tree found in Southeast Asia, and it has been around for hundreds of years. Its leaves are sold throughout the United States and can treat things like pain, coughing, anxiety, depression, and even opioid use disorder and withdrawal. 'It is sold in Kentucky. Usually, it will come in either an herbal powder form or in a pill form,' said Program Director for Voices of Hope Lexington, Jimmy Chadwell. Kentucky health officials warn against use of kratom Kentucky judge tells lawmakers child removal process doesn't move quick enough in abuse investigations 1 charged, shelter-in-place ended in Saunders Lane after Boone County shooting investigation In early June, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy put out a health alert advising the public not to consume kratom products and products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, better known as 7-OH. It is a chemical compound found in kratom. The health agencies warned that when 7-OH is concentrated or synthetically made, it can increase the risk of overdose, severe health issues, and death. Chadwell urges those using pure kratom products for their harm-reduction benefits to do so wisely. Kentuckians spend the 3rd highest share of their income on fast food Bill could make federal minimum wage $15: Kentucky among states paying less than that Kentucky sitting near bottom of rankings in environmental protection: Study 'Exercise caution. Moderate the amount you use. Never use it alone. Always have Narcan available. Okay? Because of these kratom and the 7-OH, they work on the opioid receptors. So having Narcan available is really going to save somebody's life,' he told FOX 56. Kratom is not FDA-approved and is illegal in six states. But Chadwell said that Voices of Hope, an organization for people recovering from substance abuse disorders, believes the answer is not more laws; it is more conversation. 'We believe that creating more laws surrounding drugs and drug users will not help the community. Instead, we feel that supporting increases in the availability of education and encouraging harm reduction initiatives when using any substance are the best route to go,' he said. Read more of the latest health and wellness news Health officials also said there are no guarantees that kratom products contain the ingredients the packages claim, have the correct concentrations, or are free from contaminants or other drugs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
