United Way givers treated to Alison Krauss

Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski playing for an intimate group at The Standard in downtown Knoxville.

Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski playing for an intimate group at The Standard in downtown Knoxville.

If, as is said in 2 Corinthians, “God loveth a cheerful giver,” Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd has made God love us a little more — because he made us a little more cheerful about our giving!

How? Boyd, this year’s chair of the local United Way campaign, arranged recently for songstress Alison Krauss and several members of her band to perform a private concert at The Standard in downtown Knoxville for donors who have pledged $10,000 or more to the United Way of Greater Knoxville. About 80 people were there.

Every year, donors at this level are invited to a special dinner as members of the Tocqueville Society. But in every past year that I can recall, the speaker has been a sports figure or a politician. This was so much better for us music lovers.

Krauss and band members Dan Tyminski and Jeff White were perfectly charming in the laid-back environment, chatting with the audience, joking among themselves and posing afterwards for photos with everyone.

The United Way campaign, which ends mid-January, is 76 percent of the way to its goal this year of $13 million, which will be a record.

To pledge, please click here.

From left, Steve South, Gov. Bill Haslam and Bruce Hartmann at the Alison Krauss dinner.

From left, Steve South, Gov. Bill Haslam and Bruce Hartmann at the Alison Krauss dinner.

My husband, Alan Carmichael, left, with University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and his wife, Ilene.

My husband, Alan Carmichael, left, with University of Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and his wife, Ilene.

From left, Brenda Boyd, Jenny Boyd and Amy Williams

From left, Brenda Boyd, Jenny Boyd and Amy Williams

Ed and Karen Pershing

Ed and Karen Pershing

From left, Tami Hartmann, Robin and Randy Gibson, and Brenda Wood

From left, Tami Hartmann, Robin and Randy Gibson, and Brenda Wood

Toni Lawler, left, and Kay Clayton

Toni Lawler, left, and Kay Clayton

Kristin and Eric Seabrook

Kristin and Eric Seabrook

Joe and Sharon Pryse

Joe and Sharon Pryse

Angelia and Hugh Nystrom

Angelia and Hugh Nystrom

From left, Jim Clayton, Rich Ray and Randy Boyd

From left, Jim Clayton, Rich Ray and Randy Boyd

Gov. Bill Haslam, left, with Jeff Chapman

Gov. Bill Haslam, left, with Jeff Chapman

From left, Melissa and Ron Feinbaum with Nazzy and H.M. "Hash" Hashemian

From left, Melissa and Ron Feinbaum with Nazzy and H.M. “Hash” Hashemian

Randy Gibson, left, with David Collins

Randy Gibson, left, with David Collins

Steve and Becky South with Bruce Hartmann, right

Steve and Becky South with Bruce Hartmann, right

Soon it was time to sit down to this beautiful salad.

Soon it was time to sit down to this beautiful salad.

And this huge entree!

And this huge entree!

 

The centerpieces were perfect for the casual bluegrass vibe.

The centerpieces were perfect for the casual bluegrass vibe.

United Way President and CEO Ben Landers and Lauren Stewart, also of United Way

United Way President and CEO Ben Landers and Lauren Stewart, also of United Way

Mike and Susan Edwards

Mike and Susan Edwards

Jack and Maggie Singleton

Jack and Maggie Singleton

Michelle and Raja Jubran

Michelle and Raja Jubran

Michell Witt and Jim Clayton. (He's addicted to gadgets!)

Michell Witt and Jim Clayton. (He’s addicted to gadgets!)

Bill and Donna Cobble

Bill and Donna Cobble

Doug Tabor and Jennifer Holder

Doug Tabor and Jennifer Holder

Dr. and Mrs. Mike Ayres

Dr. Mike and Martha Ayres

Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam with Tommy Schmidt, right. Schmidt is chairman of the board of the United Way of Greater Knoxville.

Gov. Bill and Crissy Haslam with Tommy Schmid, right. Schmid is chairman of the board of the United Way of Greater Knoxville.

David Martin, left, with photographer Charlie Brooks, who was documenting the occasion.

David Martin, left, with photographer Charlie Brooks, who was documenting the occasion.

David Rechter and Suzanne Schriver

David Rechter and Suzanne Schriver

From left, Harrson Boyd, Jeff White, Jenny Boyd, Alison Krauss, Randy Boyd and Dan Tyminiski

From left, Harrison Boyd, Jeff White, Jenny Boyd, Alison Krauss, Randy Boyd and Dan Tyminski

An unforgettable evening.

Here’s a snippet of the concert:

Alison Krauss at the Standard 2nite.

A video posted by @cmmoxley on

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Media. Bookmark the permalink.

3 Responses to United Way givers treated to Alison Krauss

  1. Alan Carmichael, on December 4th, 2014 at 10:45 am said:

    What a great evening. It was so generous of Alison, Dan and Jeff to lend their talent and time to United Way.

  2. Maria Cornelius, on December 4th, 2014 at 11:21 am said:

    I could listen to her voice for hours. Thank you for the video clip. Stunningly beautiful. Great reward for United Way’s top supporters.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on December 4th, 2014 at 2:35 pm said:

    Maria: It was a real treat. I had no idea the sound would be so clear and crisp in The Standard. But it turned out to be a perfect venue.

Leave a Reply