Con Hunley’s still got it! He brought it to “Extreme”

Con Hunley on Jan. 15, 2012

Con Hunley on Jan. 15, 2012, at the VIP tent of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition's" Knoxville build

When my friend Gina Changas and I heard that entertainers were needed to play the VIP tent for fundraisers during the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” build, we both had the same idea: Con Hunley!

And what a good idea it was. Hunley and his band sold out the $125-per-ticket event. And when it was over, folks who never had heard him before had been turned into fans. “I knew he had a great voice, but he is so much more than that. He is such an entertainer,” said Christi Branscom, the president of Grace Construction, the lead builder on the project. “He was just amazing.”

For his part, Hunley said he had a good time, too. He said playing the 75-seat VIP tent reminded him of his early days playing small venues like The Corner Lounge in Knoxville’s “Happy Holler” neighborhood, where he got his start. (I hope he noticed that the VIP tent was a little more elegant than “The Corner!”)

I appreciated him playing one of his standards, “Georgia on My Mind,” for me, since I’m from Georgia and it is one of my favorites. And he won over the rest of the crowd with “The Tennessee Waltz” and his big finale, “America the Beautiful.” But I think I have a new favorite: “Only Time Will Tell.” Here’s the great refrain: “Only time will tell, but it ain’t talking.” Love, love, love! (Don’t tell Kenny Chesney, but Con’s version is better — it’s more soulful.)

Here are a few photos from the  fundraiser where Con and his band played Sunday. The money will benefit the Knoxville Family Build Fund, which will be used to help pay off the mortgage on the home of the family “Extreme” chose to rebuild. Click here for the news release about the family. If you missed the fundraiser, you can make a much-appreciated donation at any Home Federal Bank branch. (Home Federal donated $20,000 to kick off the fund.)

Here’s that  recap.

You had to take a shuttle bus to get to the VIP tent. Here are Bill Regas and Janet Crossley on that bus.

You had to take a shuttle bus to get to the VIP tent. Here are Bill Regas and Janet Crossley on that bus.

Food at the event was provided by Christopher Ford, left, owner of Sweet P's Barbecue and Soul House. He's pictured here with our friends Gary and Julian Bentley.

Food at the event was provided by Christopher Ford, left, owner of Sweet P's Barbecue and Soul House. He's pictured here with our friends Gary and Julia Bentley.

To get in the VIP tent, you had to put on booties to protect the flooring.

Con said he had never performed in booties before!

Con said he had never performed in booties before!

The VIP tent is beautiful and very relaxing. Here are Ann Brookshire and Sheena McCall checking out the fabulous furniture provided by Gift Gourmet & Interiors.

Ann Brookshire, left, and Sheena McCall

Ann Brookshire, left, and Sheena McCall

Christi Branscom with her brother, Russ Watkins

Christi Branscom with her brother, Russ Watkins

Con during his first set

Con during his first set

Con's sister, Ruthie Akers, and brother, Kenny Hunley, provide smooth harmony on back-up vocals.

Con's sister, Ruthie Akers, and brother, Kenny Hunley, provide smooth harmony on back-up vocals.

At one point, Con suggested that he might join the construction workers on the build. “I do have my tool bucket in my truck,” he said. “Don’t quit your night job!” his brother quickly retorted. Ha.

During the break, he posed for a lot of pictures. Here he is with Gina Changas, the VIP coordinator for the "Extreme" build. She's with Grace Construction.

During the break, he posed for a lot of pictures. Here he is with Gina Changas, the VIP coordinator for the "Extreme" build. She's with Grace Construction.

Here he is with Ron Watkins. He said he and Ron go back to their high school days at Knoxville's Central High School. Ron is Christi Branscom's father.

Here he is with Ron Watkins. He said he and Ron go back to their high school days at Knoxville's Central High School. Ron is Christi Branscom's father.

Sheena McCall, left, and Ann Brookshire grabbed a chance for a photo. Ann has been a fan since the '80s.

Sheena McCall, left, and Ann Brookshire grabbed a chance for a photo. Ann has been a fan since the '80s.

Alan Carmichael, left, chats with Tracy and Eddie Speaks during the break.

Alan Carmichael, left, chats with Tracy and Eddie Speaks during the break.

Christi Branscom's step-mother ("the best step-mother ever!" Christi says) with Christi's daughter, Gracie, after whom Grace Construction was named.

Christi Branscom's step-mother, Debbie Petrolina, ("the best step-mother ever!" Christi says) with Christi's daughter, Gracie, after whom Grace Construction was named.

Joan Ward with Con

Joan Ward with Con

Chad and Robin Tindell

Chad and Robin Tindell

Hugh and Angelia Nystrom

Hugh and Angelia Nystrom

Debbie Petrolina and Ron Watkins

Debbie Petrolina and Ron Watkins

Con's nephew, Stephen Hunley, right, with drummer Tony Creasman

Con's nephew, Stephen Hunley, right, with drummer Tony Creasman

The media was on hand. Jacob Haskew of WVLT interviews Randy Jenkins of Grace Construction.

The media was on hand. Jacob Haskew of WVLT interviews Randy Jenkins of Grace Construction.

Sisters Janet Testerman, left, and Muffett Buckner

Sisters Janet Testerman, left, and Muffet Buckner

Then it was back to the music!

Then it was back to the music!

Ken Jackson plays beautiful saxophone.

Ken Jackson plays beautiful saxophone. Even in booties!

Janet Crossley and Bill Regas took to the dance floor, such as it was.

Janet Crossley and Bill Regas took to the dance floor, such as it was.

So did Tom Weiss and Sharon Cogburn

So did Tom Weiss and Sharon Cogburn

Here is what the house looked like on Sunday night as we were leaving. Two days later it was finished!

Here is what the house looked like on Sunday night as we were leaving. Two days later it was finished!

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6 Responses to Con Hunley’s still got it! He brought it to “Extreme”

  1. Gay Lyons, on January 19th, 2012 at 2:55 pm said:

    I would love to have been there. Looks like so much fun!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on January 19th, 2012 at 11:29 pm said:

    Gay, it was a blast! I think we could have converted you to liking country music!

  3. Regina Dean, on January 20th, 2012 at 11:03 am said:

    Cynthia,
    The Blue Streak is always fun to read! AND informative! I was in LK w/ Ron Watkins in 2005 — and after 17 years as a Knoxvillian, I didn’t know he is Christi’s father! I truly enjoyed the “Extreme” experience and have learned a lot about how great my “adopted” hometown really is!!

  4. Cynthia Moxley, on January 21st, 2012 at 10:36 pm said:

    Regina: I’ve been here 32 years and am still learning things about Knoxville and its many entwined relationships! Gotta be careful! Ha! I agree about how great it is.

  5. dan andrews, on January 22nd, 2012 at 9:49 am said:

    I always love reading your blog. With all bad things happening out their it is great to read the good and to have it highlighted on a side note I think I am bringing popcorn tomorrow to the commission meeting and luncheon

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on January 23rd, 2012 at 10:53 am said:

    Ha! Thanks, Dan. I think I’ll sit by you at Commission, then!

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