Kristian Bush, “Cousins Undercover” guys help Scripps Networks raise funds for favorite charity

Kristian Bush, right, and his brother, Brandon, performing for charity at Scripps Networks International.

Kristian Bush, right, and his brother, Brandon, performing for charity at Scripps Networks Interactive.

How many times have you been to a fundraiser and experienced this formula: silent auction, dinner, live auction and then dancing to a cover band at a stuffy country club? Now here’s a charity event that will have you out of your seat shouting for more.

When Scripps Networks Interactive throws a fundraiser, it rocks! Case in point: Kristian Bush, half of the superstar band Sugarland, recently played a set at Scripps Networks’ west Knoxville studio to raise funds for the nonprofit Rebuilding Together Knoxville. Joining Bush at the event were John Colaneri and Anthony Carrino, stars of HGTV‘s popular remodel show, “Cousins Undercover.” The result? A fun and unusual evening — and a big success for the cause.

The night started with a reception in the Scripps lobby and a VIP photo op upstairs. Soon, everyone moved to the studio for a buffet dinner by caterer extraordinaire Holly Hambright of Holly’s Eventful Dining. After a short appearance by the real-life cousins, Bush, a Knoxville native and member of the Bush Beans family, took the stage to play some Sugarland material and some original fare. He brought down the house.

Rebuilding Together Knoxville uses volunteer labor to provide free home modifications and repairs for those in need, making homes safer, more accessible and more energy efficient. The Knoxville affiliate is one of about 200 similar groups working in cities across the country. HGTV and DIY Network, both Scripps brands, are major sponsors of the national group and its Knoxville affiliate.

Here’s a look at the fun evening — one that did not involve a single auction item!

At the reception, from left, Tim Young, Booth Kammann, Mary Bogert, Jeff Cupp and Kurt Kammann.

At the reception, from left, Tim Young, Booth Kammann, Mary Bogert, Jeff Cupp and Kurt Kammann.

 

Michelle Hardin and Larry Kleinman

Michelle Hardin and Larry Kleinman

 

From left, Paige and Barry Brooke, Susan Brown, Katie and Blair Kline

From left, Paige and Barry Brooke, Susan Brown, Katie and Blair Kline

 

Kim Donahue passing candied bacon -- the signature dish of premier caterer Holly Hambright.

Kim Donahue passing candied bacon — the signature dish of premier caterer Holly Hambright.

From left, Ryan Connor, Jackson Gainer, Eddie Mannis, Sherry Jenkins, Renee Repka and Dino Cartwright

From left, Ryan Connor, Jackson Gainer, Eddie Mannis, Sherry Jenkins, Renee Repka and Dino Cartwright

From left, Janet Testerman Creswell, Rene Yanes and Alan Carmichael

From left, Janet Testerman Creswell, Rene Yanes and Alan Carmichael

Cream of cauliflower soup garnished with paper thin slices of radishes was another passed appetizer.

Tiny cups of cream of cauliflower soup garnished with paper thin slices of radishes and minced herbs were passed.

The soup was delicious, as Kathy Hamilton will attest. That's Richard Ford looking on.

The soup was delicious, as Kathy Hamilton will attest. That’s Richard Ford looking on.

The lobby got crowded.

The lobby became crowded with extroverts. You should have heard the noise level!

Randy Fields, left, and Allen Begley of Messer Construction.

Randy Fields, left, and Allen Begley of Messer Construction.

 

Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas

Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas

 

I love Holly's asparagus/pimento cheese roll-ups.

I love Holly’s asparagus/pimento cheese roll-ups.

Cute little centerpieces were on the cocktail tables.

Cute little centerpieces were on the cocktail tables.

From left, Xxxxxx Robledo, Rosa Mar, Patricia Robledo and Rene Yanes

From left, Sandra Robledo, Rosa Mar, Patricia Robledo and Rene Yanes

Lisa Stearns and Norman Hammitt

Lisa Stearns and Norman Hammitt

Rene Yanes, left, and Chris Davis

Rene Yanes, left, and Chris Davis

Meanwhile, upstairs at the VIP reception . . .

Kristian Bush poses with Scripps Networks' Jen Mowrer.

Kristian Bush poses with Scripps Networks’ Jen Mowrer.

Cindy McConkey of Scripps with the "Cousins Under Cover" guys, John Colaneri, left, and Anthony Carrino.

Cindy McConkey of Scripps with the “Cousins Undercover” guys, John Colaneri, left, and Anthony Carrino.

 

Gotta get a selfie!

Gotta get a selfie!

Scripps owns some beautiful glass art work by Tommie Rush of Knoxville. This tree was my favorite. Gary McCormick, of Scripps, posed in front of it with his wife, Xxxxx Xxxxx.

Scripps owns some beautiful glass artwork by Tommie Rush of Knoxville. This tree was my favorite. Gary McCormick, of Scripps, posed in front of it with his wife, Yollie.

More great Tommie Rush pieces.

More great Tommie Rush pieces.

Soon, we were called in to dinner.

In the studio where dinner was served and the performance would be held, from left, Susan  Brown, Marilyn Sobota, Rachel Ford and Martha Buchanan. Ms. Sobota was the recipient of Rebuilding Together Knoxville's assistance last year and was featured in a video that was shown before the concert.

In the studio where dinner was served and the performance would be held, from left, Susan Brown, Marilyn Sobota, Rachel Ford and Martha Buchanan. Ms. Sobota was the recipient of Rebuilding Together Knoxville’s assistance last year and was featured in a video that was shown before the concert.

Kim Henry, left, and Danielle Benson

Kim Henry, left, and Danielle Benson

 

Sarolyn Davis and Randy Massey

Sarolyn Davis and Randy Massey

Here's Holly Hambright behind one of the props, a toolbox to go with the "rebuilding" theme.

Here’s Holly Hambright behind one of the props, a toolbox to go with the “rebuilding” theme.

 

Paint buckets filled with popcorn were on each table.

Paint buckets filled with popcorn were on each table. Clever.

Angus beef sliders. Yum.

Angus beef sliders. Yum.

Chipotle lime shrimp

Chipotle lime shrimp

Assorted flatbread pizzas

Assorted flatbread pizzas

 

Beautiful -- and healthy.

Beautiful — and healthy.

Scott and Annette Brun

Scott and Annette Brun

Cheryl and Brian Bartley

Cheryl and Brian Bartley

Cindy McConkey and Gary Cox

Cindy McConkey and Gary Cox

Joey and Janet Testerman Creswell

Joey and Janet Testerman Creswell

 

From left, Dawn Ford, Craig Shelton and Jennifer Holder

From left, Dawn Ford, Craig Shelton and Jennifer Holder

Assorted yummy desserts were on each table.

Assorted yummy desserts were on each table.

 

Richard Ford ponders his decision.

Richard Ford ponders his decision.

Susan Brown, left, and Janet Testerman Creswell give Mark Grayson some attention.

Susan Brown, left, and Janet Testerman Creswell give Mark Grayson some attention.

 

From left, Steve Bowman, Judi Starliper and Barbara Lowry

From left, Steve Bowman, Judi Starliper and Barbara Lowry

From left, Dottie Arnett, Diana Condon and Jeannie Dulaney

From left, Dottie Arnett, Diana Condon and Jeannie Dulaney

And then, showtime!

Those are some cute cousins! Anthony Carrino, left, and John Colaneri.

Those are some cute cousins! Anthony Carrino, left, and John Colaneri.

They introduced the video and acted as emcees throughout the evening.

They introduced the video and acted as emcees throughout the evening.

Kristian Bush was charming.

Kristian Bush was charming.

The audience loved him!

The audience loved him!

 

Case in point: Blair Kline.

Case in point: Blair Kline.

Afterward, as the stars posed for photos, Mary Bogert and Rachel Ford grabbed seats at the keyboard! (No piano is safe around these two!)

Afterward, as the stars posed for photos, Mary Bogert, left, and Rachel Ford grabbed seats at the keyboard! (No piano is safe around these two!)

 

From left, Mary Bogert, Martha Buchanan, Kristian Bush and Rachel Ford.

From left, Mary Bogert, Martha Buchanan, Kristian Bush and Rachel Ford.

Here they are with the cousins.

Here they are with the cousins.

I can’t wait for next year’s Rebuilding Together Knoxville event! Great job, everybody.

Filed under: Events, Food, Knoxville, Media, Music. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Kristian Bush, “Cousins Undercover” guys help Scripps Networks raise funds for favorite charity

  1. Dawn Ford, on May 2nd, 2014 at 12:55 pm said:

    Those of us on the committee appreciated your support and this great blog. It was such a fun event for such a good cause!

  2. Cynthia Moxley, on May 2nd, 2014 at 12:57 pm said:

    Dawn: You all did a great job! Thanks for not having an auction.

  3. AlanCarmichael, on May 2nd, 2014 at 2:09 pm said:

    This was a fun event. Appreciate the invite.

  4. Mary Ellen Brewington, on May 2nd, 2014 at 10:30 pm said:

    Thank you for attending and the great post about RTK! What fun.

  5. Cynthia Moxley, on May 3rd, 2014 at 6:40 am said:

    Thanks for your comment, Mary Ellen. Can’t wait to see who you all have next year!

Leave a Reply