Dancing – and raising $87K for Children’s Hospital

Renita Stinnett, sales and event planner for the Knoxville Expo Center, with her professional dance partner, Mark Becker.

Renita Stinnett, sales and event planner for the Knoxville Expo Center, dances the Mambo with her professional dance partner, Mark Becker.

Lord, the costumes were hot this year at Dancing with the Knoxville Stars, an annual fundraiser for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The top winner for raising the most money was Renita Stinnett, pictured here. The top dance winner was Jay Teter, the master of ceremonies at Dixie Stampede. In all, the event brought in more than $87,000 for the hospital. Not bad.

The rules are based on those for the television show on which this local contest is based. Local celebrities are matched with professional dancers from Academy Ballroom who teach them the moves for a special dance. Celebrity judges cast the deciding votes. The rest of us head over to the Knoxville Expo Center and pay money to watch.

Here are some scenes from the fun night.

But first, a shout-out to Neil Crosby for allowing me to use tons of his great photos of the evening after my camera battery died. I’ll list which are his at the end of this post. But suffice it to say, his are all the good ones! Also thanks to our friend and client, Mary Ellen Brewington of Cherokee Distributing for letting us sit at one of her tables. Our tickets would have been in the nosebleed section if not for her.

Here are Stinnett and Becker as they were introduced.

Stinnett and Becker as they were introduced.

Janet Testerman Crossley had her own cheering section.

From left: Her son-in-law Jimmy Buckner, her granddaughter Brooke Buckner, her daughter Muffett Buckner and her boyfriend, Bill Regas.

From left: Her son-in-law Jimmy Buckner, her granddaughter Brooke Buckner, her daughter Muffet Buckner and Janet's boyfriend, Bill Regas.

And here she is! Dancing to the song "Devil in Disquise" with her pro partner P.J. Turner.

And here she is! Dancing to the song "Devil in Disquise" with her pro partner P.J. Turner.

Here's what they wore when they were introduced.

Here's what they wore when they were introduced.

Our friend Karen Daniel, left, was in town from California. She was a guest at Mary Ellen Brewington's tables, too. That's Mary Ellen on the right.

Our friend Karen Daniel, left, was in town from California. She was a guest at Mary Ellen Brewington's tables, too. That's Mary Ellen on the right.

Kris Budden of WBIR with her professional partner Jeremy Norris.

Kris Budden of WBIR with her professional partner Jeremy Norris.

Here they are in their intro clothes.

Here they are in their intro clothes.

Abby Ham, left, and Moira Kaye, both of WBIR, were there to support Kris.

Abby Ham, left, and Moira Kaye, both of WBIR, were there to support Kris.

Wow! This is Lorena Estrada of WVLT with professional dancer Chris Larsen.

Wow! This is Lorena Estrada of WVLT with professional dancer Chris Larsen.

Here's them being introduced.

Here they are being introduced.

Here are the hosts, all from Star 102.1. From left, Frank Murphy, Kim Hansard and Marc Anthony

The hosts, all from Star 102.1, from left: Frank Murphy, Kim Hansard and Marc Anthony

Bo Williams of WATE dressed the part of a nerd for his routine with dance pro Emily Loyless. Ha!

Bo Williams of WATE dressed the part of a nerd for his routine with dance pro Emily Loyless. Ha!

Here's is that pair when they were introduced.

The pair when they were introduced.

Here are Jill McNeil, left, and Erica Estep of WATE rooting for Bo.

Jill McNeal, left, and Erica Estep of WATE were rooting for Bo.

Bo's co-anchor Tearsa Smith, a previous winner of this contest, was there with her daughter, Kherrington.

Bo's co-anchor Tearsa Smith, a previous winner of this contest, was there with her daughter, Kherrington.

15-year-old country singer Logan Murrell tearing it up with her professional partner Hayden Escobar.

15-year-old country singer Logan Murrell tearing it up with her professional partner Hayden Escobar.

Here they are being introduced. Love that dress.

Here they are being introduced. Love that dress.

Jim and Kay Clayton were among Logan's fans.

Jim and Kay Clayton were among Logan's fans.

The judges were, from right, Farmer Charlie from the Farm Bureau commercials, Pragreeth Hettiarachchi, a professional dancer, and Terry Morrow, TV critic for the News Sentinel. Both Terry and Charlie are former contestants.

The judges were, from right, Farmer Charlie from the Farm Bureau commercials, Pragreeth Hettiarachchi, a professional dancer, and Terry Morrow, TV critic for the News Sentinel. Both Terry and Charlie are former contestants.

Here is Terry defending a vote. I love his profile in the program. It says he lives in Old North Knoxville "with dozens of action figures and imaginary friends!" Ha.

Terry is explaining one of his votes. I love his profile in the printed program for the event. It says he lives in Old North Knoxville "with dozens of action figures and imaginary friends!" Ha.

Fitness guru Missy Kane of Covenant Health dancing to the song, "Let's Get Physical," with pro J.W. Becker.

Fitness guru Missy Kane of Covenant Health dancing to the song, "Let's Get Physical," with pro J.W. Becker.

Here is Kane, a former Olympian, being introduced with Becker.

Here is Kane, a former Olympian, being introduced with Becker.

Shutterbug Dan Andrews of the Knoxville Focus was on hand.

Shutterbug Dan Andrews of the Knoxville Focus was on hand.

This is tough cops and courts reporter Jamie Satterfield of the News Sentinel with pro Al Henriquez.

This is tough cops and courts reporter Jamie Satterfield of the News Sentinel with pro Al Henriquez.

Here are Jamie and Al being introduced to the crowd.

Jamie and Al being introduced to the crowd.

John North, right, of the News Sentinel talks with my husband, Alan Carmichael.

John North, right, of the News Sentinel talks with my husband, Alan Carmichael.

Former UT linebacker Robert Peace with his pro Lisa Turner. Peace says the only other time he's danced was at his wedding!

Former UT linebacker Robert Peace with his pro Lisa Turner. Peace says the only other time he's danced was at his wedding!

Here they are being introduced.

Here they are being introduced.

Former UT Football Coach Phil Fulmer chats with Marc Anthony. Fulmer was cheering for Peace.

Former UT Football Coach Phil Fulmer chats with Marc Anthony. Fulmer was cheering for Peace.

This is Star 102.1's night personality, Shaffer. His professional partner is Rhonda Becker.

This is Star 102.1's night personality, Shaffer. His professional partner is Rhonda Becker.

Here is their introduction.

Their introduction.

Meg Lonon and Craig Shelton had seats right by the dance floor.

Meg Lonon and Craig Shelton had seats right by the dance floor.

And here's the winner! Jay Teter, of Dixie Stampede, with pro partner Taryn Escobar.

And here's the winner! Jay Teter, of Dixie Stampede, with pro partner Taryn Escobar.

Here they are being introduced.

Here they are being introduced.

Music was by The Atomic Horns. Here's my buddy Barry Wallace of Covenant Health, a member of the band.

Music was by The Atomic Horns. My buddy Barry Wallace of Covenant Health is a member of the band.

Here's the whole group.

The whole group.

These folks from East Tennessee Children's Hospital have good reason to be smiling. From left, Danni Varlan, Carlton Long and CEO Keith Goodwin.

These folks from East Tennessee Children's Hospital have good reason to be smiling. From left, Danni Varlan, Carlton Long and CEO Keith Goodwin.

These photos courtesy of Neil Crosby: All the pics of the dancers in action and their introduction shots, and the pictures of Phil Fulmer, Bill Regas and friends, and the three hosts. Thanks again, Neil!

Click here to watch WBIR’s coverage of this event, with video of Kris Budden.

Click here to see WATE’s video of Bo Williams dancing. Hilarious.

Click here to watch WVLT’s coverage including video of Lorena Estrada dancing.

Click here to read an article by Jamie Satterfield of the News Sentinel about her experience along with some video of her practicing.

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2 Responses to Dancing – and raising $87K for Children’s Hospital

  1. Frank Murphy, on February 23rd, 2012 at 10:55 am said:

    Thank you for your continued support of “Star 102.1’s Dancing with the Knoxville Stars!”

  2. Georgiana Vines, on February 23rd, 2012 at 6:35 pm said:

    Glad to see photos by Mox and Neil! They told the story.

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