Vision – and views – fill Massey fundraiser

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey greets one of her supporters, Tom Hale, at a fundraiser last night.

State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey greets one of her supporters, Tom Hale, at a fundraiser last night.

Stunning river views — and the views of a large number of local politicians — were the highlights of a very successful fundraiser for state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey last night. Held at the beautiful Harrison Keepe home of Steve and Becky South, the event attracted more than 125 folks — and Massey is unopposed in her primary election tomorrow.

Fortunately, the sun was obstructed by clouds for most of the evening and a gentle breeze made the temperatures bearable. Catering was by Chef Rex Bradford Jones. And you always know it’s a good party when you see Jerry Kruse and his bartending staff from The Pour Guys.

The best surprise of the night was the mellow music of Michael Shehan, who targeted his tunes to the baby boomers who constituted most of the crowd.

Massey, a Republican, won a special election in 2011 to fill a vacated state Senate seat and was reelected to a full term in 2012. She also has been the executive director of the Sertoma Center in Knoxville for over 20  years. The Sertoma Center serves adults with intellectual disabilities. Massey is running on a platform of recruiting  jobs and growing the economy; improving education; cutting waste and spending; and regulatory and tax relief.

Beautiful view of Fort Loudoun Lake. That's Sevier Heights Baptist Church across the water and Alcoa Highway.

Beautiful view of Fort Loudoun Lake. That’s Sevier Heights Baptist Church across the water and Alcoa Highway.

From left, state Rep. Roger Kane, state Sen. Randy McNally, Massey and state Rep. Jason Zachary.

From left, state Rep. Roger Kane, state Sen. Randy McNally, Massey and state Rep. Jason Zachary.

Hostess Becky South, at right, with Melinda Either, left, and Kay Leibowitz.

Hostess Becky South, at right, with Melinda Ethier, left, and Kay Leibowitz.

Alan Carmichael, left, with host Steve South.

Alan Carmichael, left, with host Steve South.

Joe Duncan, left, with Bob Griffitts, representing Massey's brother, Congressman Jimmy Duncan, who was out of the country.

Joe Duncan, left, with Bob Griffitts, representing Massey’s brother, Congressman Jimmy Duncan, who was out of the country.

Former Knoxville mayor and ambassador to Poland, Victor Ashe, right, with state Sen. Bo Watson, the Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee Senate.

Love his bow tie with the little Tennessees on it!

Love his bow tie with the little Tennessees on it!

Chef Jones with some sweet treats.

Chef Jones with some sweet treats.

My favorite food offering: tomato goat cheese tarts.

My favorite food offering: tomato goat cheese tarts.

Homemade potato yeast rolls with top round were popular, as well.

Homemade potato yeast rolls with top round were popular, as well.

Randy Boyd, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, left, with Rich Ray.

Randy Boyd, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, left, with Rich Ray.

Judy and Don Akers.

Judy and Don Akers.

Anne Sprouse and Jim Ethier.

Anne Sprouse and Jim Ethier.

Mackay Brownlee, left, with Bette and Richard Bryan.

Mackey Brownlee, left, with Bette and Richard Bryan.

Steve South introducing Becky Massey for brief remarks.

Steve South introducing Becky Massey for brief remarks.

Becky thanked her supporters.

Becky thanked her supporters.

Victor Ashe with Dr. Jan Henley.

Victor Ashe with Dr. Jan Henley.

Wes and Liz Stowers.

Wes and Liz Stowers.

Todd and Stacy Moody.

Todd and Stacy Moody.

Drs. Sam, left, and Barry Winston.

Drs. Sam, left, and Barry Winston.

Mary and Michael Crawford.

Mary and Michael Crawford.

Lisa Moffitt, left, and Georgia Bacon.

Lisa Moffitt, left, and Georgia Bacon.

Becky Massey with Jimmy Alexander, left, and Dale Amburn.

Becky Massey with Jimmy Alexander, left, and Dale Amburn.

Jerry Kruse. (Best guy to see at a party!)

Jerry Kruse. (Best guy to see at a party!)

Carol and John Sheridan with Kathy May, right.

Carol and John Sheridan with Kathy May, right.

Lobbyist Chuck Laine, left, with state Sen. Randy McNally.

Lobbyist Chuck Laine, left, with state Sen. Randy McNally.

The flowers matched the Massey campaign theme colors.

The flowers matched the Massey campaign theme colors.

Harold and Angie Cannon with Kelly Hedden, right.

Harold and Angie Cannon with Kelly Headden, right.

Brenda Wood with Alan Carmichael, center, and state Rep. Roger Kane. (Don't ask me what's going on with Alan's face!)

Brenda Wood with Alan Carmichael, center, and state Rep. Roger Kane. (Don’t ask me what’s going on with Alan’s face!)

Billy Stokes with Becky Massey.

Billy Stokes with Becky Massey.

From left, Tom Boyd, Debby Brownlee, Sandi Burdick and former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

From left, Tom Boyd, Debby Brownlee, Sandi Burdick and former Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.

Becky Massey's sister, Beverly Gleason.

Becky Massey’s sister, Beverly Gleason.

From left, Alan Carmichael, Morton Massey (the senator's husband) and Charley Sexton of Moxley Carmichael.

From left, Alan Carmichael, Morton Massey (the senator’s husband) and Charley Sexton of Moxley Carmichael.

Victor Ashe, left, with Gary Weedman.

Victor Ashe, left, with Gary Weedman.

Here’s a little snippet of Michael Shehan performing:

 

 

 

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3 Responses to Vision – and views – fill Massey fundraiser

  1. Alan Carmichael, on August 3rd, 2016 at 4:27 pm said:

    Obviously I did not make photo choices, but it was a great evening. Becky and Steve are gracious hosts. And a great turnout for Becky.

  2. Michael Shehan, on August 4th, 2016 at 9:11 am said:

    Thanks for the kind words Cynthia. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I had a great time playing for you guys. I Would like to thank Steve and Becky South for asking me to be there.

  3. Georgiana Vines, on August 4th, 2016 at 10:08 am said:

    Enjoyed seeing who was there! Very informative, too. Didn’t know Jimmy Duncan was out of the country.

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