Music News & Reviews

Kentucky artists perform holiday music and more on TV through Christmas Day

By Rich Copley
Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017. Matt Goins

There are a number of chances to enjoy Central Kentucky musicians in the comfort of your own home on TV, through Christmas Day.

Matt Pearce, left, and Michael Preacely, left, sing “Primadonna” during the UK Opera Theater "It's A Grand Night for Singing" dress rehearsal at Singletary Center for Arts on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 in Lexington, Ky. This is the 25th annual production of this event which took place June 9-18.
Matt Pearce, left, and Michael Preacely, left, sing “Primadonna” during the UK Opera Theater "It's A Grand Night for Singing" dress rehearsal at Singletary Center for Arts on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 in Lexington, Ky. This is the 25th annual production of this event which took place June 9-18. Ebony Cox ecox@herald-leader.com

Things kick off Friday night with KET’s broadcast of the 25th anniversary edition of the University of Kentucky Opera Theatre’s “Grand Night for Singing” showtune and pop song revue. The show includes many favorites from years gone by plus appearances by Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, celebrated UK graduate and Metropolitan Opera singer Gregory Turay and UK Opera director Everett McCorvey. It premieres at 9 p.m. Friday (Dec. 15) on KET and repeats at 9 p.m. Dec. 17 on KET2, with several subsequent airings on KET and KET-KY, including 8 p.m. Dec. 25.

Dr. Everett McCorvey conducts during the Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017.
Dr. Everett McCorvey conducts during the Alltech Celebration of Song, featuring the talents of the UK Opera Theatre, at The Square in Lexington, Ky., Sunday, December 10, 2017. Matt Goins

UK Opera Theatre is also behind the annual “Celebration of Song,” which was Sunday at The Square shopping center in downtown Lexington. As it has for the past several years, the performance will air at noon on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, on WKYT-TV 27-1.

Lauren Price, Ruth McLain Smith and Leanna Price perform on the “Red Barn Radio” special “An Appalachian Christmas.”
Lauren Price, Ruth McLain Smith and Leanna Price perform on the “Red Barn Radio” special “An Appalachian Christmas.” Red Barn Radio

Over on WTVQ-TV 36-1, Red Barn Radio’s “An Appalachian Christmas,” recorded a few weeks ago at ArtsPlace in downtown Lexington, will show at noon Dec. 25. The program with The McLain Family Band, The Price Sisters, My Brother’s Keeper and The Sara Holroyd Singers will also show at 5 p.m. Dec. 23 and 1 p.m. Dec. 25 on KET-KY and 5 a.m. Dec. 25 on KET.

KET will also show “Listen — A Musical Celebration of Christmas at Berea College” at 10 a.m. Dec. 25 on KET2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 25 KET, as well as other times, and “Holidays at Murray State” at 1 p.m. Dec. 24 on KET-KY and 9 a.m. Dec. 25 on KET2, as well as other times.

At 10 p.m. Dec. 24, KET2 will also have “Jordan Smith ‘tis the Season,” featuring music from the Christmas album by the Season 9 winner of NBC’s “The Voice,” who hails from Harlan.

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This story was originally published December 15, 2017 at 12:38 PM with the headline "Kentucky artists perform holiday music and more on TV through Christmas Day."

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