Southern Summer’s Night: A blast!

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., in west Knoxville earlier this summer.

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., in West Knoxville earlier this summer.

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., was nearly destitute. He had been working at a car wash and had only one pair of jeans and one jacket in November 2010 when he and his wife left their hometown of Logan, West Virginia, and headed for New York City, where they stood for more than 12 hours outside the Javits Center to audition for NBC’s America’s Got Talent.

Less than a year later, on Sept. 14, 2011, after a performance of “My Way,” a song popularized by Frank Sinatra, Murphy won the $1 million grand prize and began a headlining act in Las Vegas.

Earlier this summer, he appeared in Knoxville at the historic Middlebrook mansion during a benefit called Southern Summer’s Night, a fundraiser for The Hope Center at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. The Hope Center provides, at no charge, caring support and assistance to all individuals and families living with HIV. Inpatients, outpatients, people relocating to this area or newly diagnosed individuals have a safe, non-stigmatizing place to feel encouraged, valued, and also have a voice. 

Also of note, Southern Summer’s Night is one of the best parties of the year. The silent auction items rock. There always is a fun entertainer like Murphy. And to top everything off, fireworks! What’s not to like?

If you didn’t catch Murphy on America’s got Talent (as I had not), the surprise is that coming out of the mouth of this cool, dreadlocked African-American guy is the voice of Frank Sinatra! No kidding. He is absolutely amazing. Don’t believe me? Check out this YouTube video of him performing that very song during the finals for the show.

OK, back to the party.

Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia and his wife, Sharon. The Hope Center is a part of Covenant Health.

Covenant Health CEO Tony Spezia and his wife, Sharon. The Hope Center is a part of Covenant Health.

From left, Tim Young, Alan Carmichael and Jeff Cupp enjoying the silent auction.

From left, Tim Young, Alan Carmichael and Jeff Cupp enjoying the silent auction.

Although David Butler, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, also seemed to be enoying the auction. This motorcycle was to be part of the live auction.

Although David Butler, executive director of the Knoxville Museum of Art, also seemed to be enjoying the auction. This motorcycle was to be part of the live auction.

Here's a very unusual auction item!

Here’s a very unusual auction item!

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero with Ralph Cianelli, left, and Rick Fox, the proprietors of Middlebrook.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero with Ralph Cianelli, left, and Rick Fox, the proprietors of Middlebrook.

Rock and Debby Saraceni with Alan Carmichael, at right. Debby is with Covenant Health.

Rock and Debby Saraceni with Alan Carmichael, at right. Debby is with Covenant Health.

From left, Xena Wilson, Tim Holder and Gary Young. Gary is with Covenant Health.

From left, Xena Wilson, Tim Holder and Gary Young. Gary is with Covenant Health.

Sherry Jenkins, left, and Renee Repka

Sherry Jenkins, left, and Renee Repka

Willene Chalmers and Rick Fox.

Willene Chalmers and Rick Fox

Bart Weaver, left, and Jim Landreth.

Bart Weaver, left, and Jim Landreth

Tasha Blakney, left, and Caroline Rogers

Tasha Blakney, left, and Caroline Rogers

From left, Stewart Lusk, Chris Davis and Rene Yanes.

From left, Stewart Lusk, Chris Davis and Rene Yanes.

Susan Arbital dresses to match the party invitation every year! Clever.

Susan Arbital dresses to match the party invitation every year! Clever.

From left, Tony and Sharon Spezia, Nancy Harrison, Missy Kane and Bill Roberts.

From left, Tony and Sharon Spezia, Nancy Harrison, Missy Kane and Bill Roberts.

Sandi Swilley, left, and Nazzy Hashemian.

Sandi Swilley, left, and Nazzy Hashemian

Sharon Lord, left, and Pat Ball, a former Knoxvillian who was visiting from Texas.

Sharon Lord, left, and Pat Ball, a former Knoxvillian who was visiting from Texas.

Shirley Elder and auctioneer Bear Stephenson.

Shirley Elder and auctioneer Bear Stephenson

Joe and Melissa Blanchard, center, with Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli.

Joe and Melissa Blanchard, center, with Rick Fox, left, and Ralph Cianelli.

Hahaha!

Hahaha!

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, left, and Mary Fran Darwin.

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, left, and Mary Fran Darwin. (And a photo bomber!)

Jackie Wilson and Bob Valentine.

Jackie Wilson and Bob Valentine

Dean and Amber Littleton.

Dean and Amber Littleton

Eddie Mannis, left, and David Butler.

Eddie Mannis, left, and David Butler

Jeannie Dulaney, left, and her daughter, Allison Dulaney.

Jeannie Dulaney, left, and her daughter, Allison Dulaney

Alaine McBee and Laura Wallace.

Alaine McBee and Laura Wallace

From left, Jaime Bagwell, Michelle Hardin and Tim Young.

From left, Jaime Bagwell, Michelle Hardin and Tim Young

Judith and Michael Foltz.

Judith and Michael Foltz

Ginny and Bill Morrow with Missy Kane, left.

Ginny and Bill Morrow with Missy Kane, right

Lucille Griffo and Lee Turner.

Lucille Griffo and Lee Turner

Madge and Barry Cleveland.

Madge and Barry Cleveland

Mark and Cathy Hill.

Mark and Cathy Hill

Mary Fran Darwin, left, and Jenny Hines with entertainer Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., before he took the stage.

Mary Fran Darwin, left, and Jenny Hines with entertainer Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., before he took the stage.

Melissa Williamson, left, and Angie Reidl.

Melissa Williamson, left, and Angie Riedl

From left, Nancy Brennan Strange, Rosa Mar and Gay Lyons.

From left, Nancy Brennan Strange, Rosa Mar and Gay Lyons

Rick Fox with Jeannie Gillian.

Rick Fox with Jeannie Gillian

The evening's emcee, Dino Cartwright, introducing the auction part of the evening.

The evening’s emcee, Dino Cartwright, introducing the auction part of the evening.

Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr., in performance.

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr., in performance.

And then . . .

And then . . .

They were beautiful this year.

They were beautiful this year.

Well, you get the idea!

Well, you get the idea!

I think this pregnant lady got the most perfect auction item ever!

I think this pregnant lady got the most perfect auction item ever!

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5 Responses to Southern Summer’s Night: A blast!

  1. Georgiana Vines, on July 16th, 2014 at 11:32 am said:

    Great photos. I have wondered what happened to Pat Ball. What is she doing now?

  2. Alan Carmichael, on July 16th, 2014 at 1:47 pm said:

    Another great Southern Summer’s Night. Great entertainment and great fireworks show. Auction won over Cynthia again.

  3. Gay Lyons, on July 16th, 2014 at 1:59 pm said:

    This party is always fun, fun, fun.

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on July 16th, 2014 at 2:43 pm said:

    Gay: You are so right! It just attracts such a fun crowd. (And I always love a party that involves fireworks!)

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