Third Annual I Love Mountains Old Time Music Showcase!!!!

February 6, 2010, All Ages
$10 (sliding scale, no one will be turned away) to benefit the work of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Al's Bar, Sixth Street and North Limestone in Lexington

Music Starts at 9 p.m.
Clack Mountain String Band
Red State Ramblers
Rich and the Po Folks
The Wild Boogers

Special Guests, Kentucky Authors Erik Reece and Eric Sutherland

*** The beautiful poster designed and printed by Cricket Press will be available at the show for sale***

The Central Kentucky Chapter held a fundraiser for KFTC last Saturday at Al's Bar in Lexington. This wasn't just any old fundraiser though, it was a punk rock show! Organized by KFTC member Jack Cofer, the show featured three great bands from Lexington; the Butchers, J. Marinelli, and the Tense Kids. Also joining everyone was the all female punk trio from Chicago, 8" Betsy.

Over 60 people attended the show and raised $260 for KFTC. Jack Cofer and Katie Meyer spoke from the stage about the importance of grassroots organizing, and why people should be involved in making their communities a better place.

Don't forget to come out for the next Al's Bar KFTC fundraiser, our old-time music showcase on Saturday, February 6. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the cover is $10.

Here are a few more pictures of our Singing For Democracy Gospel Fest last week, focusing on restoring voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society. 

Thanks again for everyone who made it possible.

Madison County Premier of Coal Country 

This film by Mari-Lynn Evans and Phylis Geller is a dramatic look at modern coal mining. We get to know working miners along with activists who are battling coal companies in Appalachia. Both sides in this conflict claim that history is on their side. Come and find out for yourself!  This film has been drawing sell-out crowds inother cities.

The Madison County Chapter is screening the film at the Madison County Public Library of Berea (319 Chestnut St.) at 6:30 p.m. on November 19th and also in Room 108 of EKU's library in Richmond at 6 p.m. on November 9th.  The event is open to the public.  Admission is free but donations to KFTC are appreciated.  We hope you can join us!

"Rock Out For Justice!"

The Bowling Green Chapter has organized "Rock Out For Justice!" -- a benefit show starring some of Bowling Green and E-town's most beloved bands!  Only a $5 cover, and all the proceeds go to KFTC.

Friday, August 28 at 8:00pm at the Wesley Foundation at 1355 College Street.

A big thanks to our performers--Derbyandme, The Budget Band, Polytheon, Canago, and Austin 'Been Broox' Ashford--and the Wesley Foundation for letting us use the space!

(Come, by all means!  It's a guaranteed good time and we want to see you there.  But if you can't come, consider contributing $5 anyway!)

In conjunction with the return of Morehead State students, KFTC's Rowan Chapter held a "Funraiser" at the Moonlight Stage in downtown Morehead.

It was a opportunity to socialize and talk about the local issues while enjoying wonderful entertainment.

Sasha Colette provided fantastic music

Kentucky authors Bob Sloan and Ed McClanahan gave readings and words of praise for the work of the chapter.

Visitors and KFTC members also feasted on great food including Withrow Mountain Tacos Pastor.

Almost 100 KFTC members and friends turned out on a rainy Saturday for the Madison County SpringFest. 

The event start off with a reading of the brand new book "Something's Rising:  Applachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal"  from authors Silas House and Jason Howard. 

Folks also enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner that featured locally raised meat and music from loved local band Mudpi. 

A friendly Derby pool and silent auction helped raise fun – and funds -- for KFTC.

"I enjoy having the chance to socialize with members and prospective members in a party atmosphere where there is a minimum of business to discuss.  I think that kind of outreach is as important as all the tabling, phone banking and chapter and committee meetings that we members do throughout the year."  -- Toby Wilcher, Berea.

The event was a great celebration of the strength and work of the nearly 500-member strong Madison County chapter.  Thanks to all who volunteered and helped make the event a success!

A windy Sunday in Berea was no deterrent for KFTC members and friends who turned up to Ground Effects Coffee Shop to hear two of the state's native sons Ed McClanahan and Gurney Norman.  The afternoon started with a rousing introduction of the two authors by George Brosi, Madison County KFTC member and editor of the Appalachian Heritage Magazine.  George pointed out that KFTC has a rich history of supporting artistic activism and welcomed both of the afternoon's featured authors.

Ed's tremendously animated reading of "O The Clear Moment" had the audience rolling in laughter.  Gurney read from Ancient Creek that parodied Appalachia's history of resource extraction with a fable about "King Condominium."  His work has both poignant comparisons along with amusing references.

Teri Blanton, KFTC Canary Project Fellow, then spoke about the work KFTC is doing around Mountaintop Removal.  She announced that Wendell Berry and Bill McKibben have called for Civil Disobedience in Washington in early March.  She also spoke about more local work such as I Love Mountains Lobbying Day, which will take place again this February.  Stay tuned for more details about that event.  Megan Naseman, a Madison County KFTC member, told the audience that she loved KFTC because they really do respect the wisdom of ordinary people and have a lot of fun organizing.

Madison County KFTC would like to thank Robie and Robie bookstore for bringing Ed and Gurney's books to sell, as well as Ground Effects Coffee Shop for opening up on a Sunday to host the event.

Gurney Norman grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia.  He has been described as “one of the most powerful and compelling personalities ever to come out of the Appalachian Mountains.”  He is currently the Director of the Creative Writing Program at the University of Kentucky.  Two of his most noted works are “Divine Right's Trip,” a novel, and “Kinfolks,” a collection of short stories.

Ed McClanahan, born in Brooksville, Kentucky, is an American novelist, essayist, editor and the author of several books, including "The Natural Man" and "Famous People I Have Known." He has taught English and creative writing at Stanford University, Oregon State University, and the University of Kentucky.  His latest book is “O The Clear Moment.”

Pushing forward with our Fall Fundraising campaign, nine members in Central Kentucky gathered tonight to make some final phone calls write letters to over 150 members asking them to renew. 

We've brought in an incredible $163,709.60 in grassroots fundraising so far this year, but we still have a ways to go to our goal of $200,000.  After tomorrow's numbers and a $15,000 check we're expecting from a major donor soon, we'll have $21,000 to go.

That might sound like a lot, but every $15 and $50 donation gets us a little closer - and also closer to our critical goal of achieving a 70% membership renewal rate.

Please take a moment and give an end of year donation to KFTC online - it just takes about 2 minutes and can make a big difference. 

Thanks to Matt Heil, Jenn Myatt, Joe Gallentein, Rebecca Linares, Justin Lamb, Katie Goldie, Jerry Moody, Jordan Panning, and Watson Harding for volunteering tonight - particularity to those UK students who sacrificed time the week before finals.

Together, we can hit our goals and build grassroots power in Kentucky that can't be ignored or pushed back by corporate lobbyists or old power.  Together we can forge the Commonwealth that Kentuckians deserve.