Rotary Program: 12/10/03

Program Chairperson: Dickie Brewer

Speaker: Billie Jean Osborne, Kentucky Opry and Kentucky Junior Opry

Billie Jean Osborne graduated from Pikeville College and Eastern Kentucky University with degrees in Elementary and Secondary Education and Music. She went on to spend 30 years as the Band Instructor and Music Teacher at Betsy Layne High School. Six weeks before she retired, the death of her husband thrust her life in a different direction. She traveled and spent time with her nephew, but knew she wanted to do something more. Her dream was to get an organization started that would showcase the musical and vocal talents of the students in Eastern Kentucky. So she began to recruit students and persuaded Jenny Wiley Theater to allow them to perform at their Monday night performances. What had been a usually slow night now became a big hit with each one selling out on a regular basis. She then persuaded local businessman, Paul Gearhart, to accompany her to Washington, D. C. to talk with Congressman Chris Perkins about building a place that could serve as the cultural arts center of Eastern Kentucky. He didn't seem very interested in a "Mountain Arts Center", but that did not discourage Billie Jean. One night she was told that Congressman Hal Rogers was in the audience during one of the shows at Jenny Wiley. He was so impressed with what he saw and heard, that he too wanted to see this dream become a reality. And the rest, as they say, is history. When not at the shows or rehearsals, Bille Jean now spends most of her time in the schools recruiting the best talent in vocal and instrumental music. A couple of her first performers, Rebecca Lynn Howard and Bo Tackett have gone on to be very successful in the music business. From nine different counties and 43 different schools, Billie Jean has gleaned the finest talent this area has to offer and is proud that from the first Christmas show that sold out, every one since has done the same. She is also proud of the fact that each of the students must stay in school and do their best in their studies in order to continue with the Opry. She even has one student who is in Special Education in school, but excels in music. The inspiration gives many students a desire to participate in music that would have no outlet for their talent in their regular school setting. She insists that they dress in tuxedos and rhinestones, not that we are ashamed to be from Eastern Kentucky, she said, but to shed the stereotypes that have plagued this region for too long. Billie Jean knows the business and draws from years of experience of bringing the best in country music to this area. While at Betsy Layne, she was able to get stars like Conway Twitty, George Jones and Loretta Lynn to come to this area for concerts. She says that she learned that there was lots of money to be made in this business, but she wants to put everything they make back into the MAC to make sure it stays finacially sound to provide a place for future generations of talented young people. Billie Jean thanked all that had supported the MAC in the past and urged everyone to continue to visit and patronize the Kentucky Opry and Junior Opry shows. It is easy to see the passion behind what she does and we wish her well in keeping this great opportunity available for many years to come. Submitted by J. Morgan Chapman