“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” senior producer gets volunteers fired up at pep rally

Moxley Carmichael staff members. Ha. Just kidding. It's the UT dancers at the pep rally for "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Our sponsor logo just happened to be behind them when our buddy Saul Young of the News Sentinel shot this pic.

Nearly 1,000 folks showed up Wednesday for a pep rally whose purpose was to introduce the senior producer of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” and let him tell us what to expect next week when the Emmy-winning TV series rolls into town to tape a Knoxville episode.Following rousing performances by Bill Snyder on the Mighty Wurlitzer,  the UT cheerleaders and dance team, accompanied by Smokey and a flag-waving mountaineer in a coonskin hat, and two beautiful songs by hometown teen country sensation Logan Murrell, Milan Vasic took the stage of the Tennessee Theatre. The veteran senior producer, who has been with the show since its inception nine years ago, got a little choked up when he explained that the Knoxville show, taping next week, will be among the last two episodes. The series has been canceled by ABC. The Knoxville show will air as a two-hour holiday special near the end of 2012.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett made remarks at the pep rally.

But through videos and personal testimony, Vasic assured the project’s volunteers in the audience that the week-long experience of building a new home for a deserving Knoxville family will be a life-changing experience.  “You are going to make a difference in the life of a family,” he said. “Actually, the lives of many families.”

The family to receive the new home will be announced on Jan. 10 when the show’s personnel will knock on the family’s door and deliver the good news. After an afternoon news conference, the family will be whisked away on a vacation while local volunteers and “Extreme Makeover” personnel transform their home in the course of just one week.

Volunteer coordinator, Kim Henry, is interviewed by Erin Donovan of WBIR, Channel 10.

Grace Construction, a local woman-owned company, was chosen to be the lead builder on the project. The company’s president, Christi Branscom, and chief operating officer, Scott Branscom, selected Moxley Carmichael to handle the public relations on the build. Everyone, from the architect, Kristin Grove of Johnson Architecture, to the food coordinator, Gay Lyons, the volunteer coordinator, Kim Henry, and all the subcontractors are donating their time. All materials for the build are donated as is all food to feed the volunteers while they work around the clock for a week to complete the project. I recruited my friend Dawn Ford of Consumer Awareness Management to coordinate the pep rally and she did a fantastic job, again, for free.

All the families selected by the TV series to receive a new home are special families. Some have disabled children, are injured veterans, have experienced deaths, or have other special circumstances. A Knoxville Family Build Fund has been established to assist the chosen family. To donate to that fund, please visit any Home Federal Bank branch or go to the official website, www.joinextreme.com/tennessee. The website also can be accessed through www.moxleycarmichael.com or www.grace-info.com.

When the location of the build is announced on Tuesday, there will be a large area designated for spectators. You are welcome to drop by and watch as our community becomes the focus of a national spotlight.

The senior producer told the crowd Wednesday night that in the 207 episodes of the show, he has never seen a more beautiful venue than the Tennessee Theatre as the location for a kick-off pep rally. We think he will feel that way about his entire Knoxville experience. Join us!

Christi Branscom, president of Grace Construction, with Milan Vasic, senior producer of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

Nearly 1,000 folks attended the pep rally.

"Ace," the mascot of the Knoxville NightHawks, an arena football team, poses with project architect Kristin Grove in the lobby of the Tennessee Theatre.

Phil Williams of NewsTalk 98.7 was broadcasting live from the event.

Erica Estep, left, of WATE, Channel 6, prepares to interview Lori Gano of Heritage Homes and Designs, one of the project leads.

Saul Young, center, ace photographer for the News Sentinel, with Angela Starke, the top PR person for the city, and Michael Grider, the top PR guy for the county, in the lobby prior to the program. (I love all three of these great folks!)

Saul hard at work! Hahaha. He says you can't appreciate the true Tennessee Theatre experience without popcorn and a Coke!

Knox County First Lady Allison Burchett tweets and texts as much as I do. I interrupted her for a photo.

WBIR's Erin Donovan, Ace of the NightHawks, and Ben Pinnell of Hickory Construction

Alan Carmichael of Moxley Carmichael chats with Rhonda Rice of the Knoxville Chamber.

WATE's Erica Estep dishes with the mayors prior to an interview.

WBIR's videographer Brian Holt and reporter Erin Donovan relax between broadcasts.

Inside, Bill Snyder warms up the crowd on the Mighty Wurlitzer organ.

Betsey Creekmore and Rick Stone are members of the board of the Tennessee Theatre, which was offered pro bono for this project. Thanks so much, folks.

On the way out, I ran into Tom Bugg, left, and Patrick Roddy. Tom manages the Theatre and dealt with all our crazy needs Wednesday night. Patrick is with A.C. Entertainment, which has a contract to manage the Theatre.

If you want to see more about Wednesday night, here is some great coverage we received.

The News Sentinel did a great job with a video by Rachel Wise and a report by Lance Coleman. Click here.

Here is one of WATE’s reports. Click here.

Click here for one of WBIR’s.