On-air Performers
Almost every Crusade features a celebrity guest, who usually performs on Saturday night during a variety-show segment that leads off the Crusade telecast. In 2006, Peabo Bryson made his second appearance as the headline guest. In 2007, The Kentucky Headhunters — whose origins are in Edmonton, Kentucky — are the headliners. Other past guests have included magicians Lance Burton and Mac King (two Las Vegas headliners with roots in Louisville), Kenny Rogers, Lee Greenwood, Steve Wariner, Ricky Skaggs, Tammy Wynette, Alan Thicke, Bobby Goldsboro, B. J. Thomas, Florence Henderson, Diahann Carroll, McLean Stevenson, Merv Griffin, Eydie Gorme, and Cab Calloway.
Larnelle Harris, a popular Gospel singer and Louisville resident, has appeared on many Crusade telecasts. Other local artists with multiple Crusade appearances include Melissa Combs, Karen Kraft and Kiks, The Monarchs, and Louisville's Thoroughbred Chorus, a world champion men's barbershop chorus. Mel Owen directed the Crusade Orchestra for many decades; Roger Dane took over after his retirement, and now Todd Hildreth holds that position with the retirement of Roger Dane.
WHAS Radio personality Terry Meiners and WHAS-TV news anchor Melissa Swan are the co-hosts of the Crusade telecast.
The Crusade broadcast goes on through the night, as is traditional with most telethons, but much of the overnight portion of the show is taped beforehand.
Read more about this topic: WHAS Crusade For Children
Famous quotes containing the word performers:
“The reason I’m in this business, I assume all performers are—it’s “Look at me, Ma!” It’s acceptance, you know—”Look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma.” And if your mother watches, you’ll show off till you’re exhausted; but if your mother goes, Ptshew!”
—Lenny Bruce (1925–1966)