FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:   Rusty Cheuvront, Governor’s Office, 502.564.2611
                                Patti Porter, Ky. Department of Travel, 502.564.4930

Derby Breakfast Showcases Kentucky Talent

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Frankfort, Ky. – April 25, 2002 – Kentuckians with wide-ranging talents will provide hours of entertainment at the annual Governor’s Derby Breakfast, Saturday, May 4.  Relocated to downtown Frankfort this year from the grounds of the Capitol, the breakfast will feature entertainment on numerous separate stages as well as street performers. 

"It's a very exciting day for Frankfort and the state, and the change in venue is going to make it even more exciting,” said Kentucky First Lady Judi Patton. “This move allows us to offer entertainment on four stages instead of the three we have had the last several years.”  

The four stages are the Governor’s Stage on the southeast corner of the Old Capitol Annex; the First Lady’s Stage west of the Old Capitol; the Frankfort Stage at the corner of Broadway and Ann Streets and the History Center Stage by the new gardens at the Kentucky History Center. 

Mrs. Patton praised the diverse talent the breakfast spotlights  “It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the wide variety of talent that Kentucky produces and I am thrilled we are able to share this talent with not only other Kentuckians, but visitors from around the country and the world."

Among the performers is Eddie Pennington, a western Kentucky thumbpicker.  Thumbpicking is a guitar style first seen in Muhlenberg County and popularized by guitarists like Merle Travis and Chet Atkins. 

The Tri-City Messengers is an African-American gospel group from the Benham-Lynch coal mining area of eastern Kentucky.  Five of the six singers are retired coal miners and the group prides itself on carrying on a strong regional, African American tradition of      a cappella singing. 

Saxton’s Cornet Band strives to recreate the sound and appearance of a Civil War era brass band. This Lexington-based group regularly plays at National Park events, including Gettysburg and has been a popular addition to the annual Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville. 

Arnold Richardson of London is a Native American flute player.  Richardson is part of Kentucky’s Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program, serving as a master teacher. He was nominated last year for a Native American Music Award (Nammy) for his CD, Center of the Universe.

The Governor’s Derby Breakfast is free and open to the public. This year, it will offer extended hours, 7 a.m. to noon. Organizers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle service running from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. between the Cabinet for Human Resources parking lot at 275 E. Main Street and the intersection of St. Clair and Main.

(Entertainment schedule attached)