Southern Rock

TAMPA - He's lived in Florida for 21 years, but Rob Gorley remains as passionate about Kentucky basketball today as ever. That's why the 47-year-old Gorley took a day off from teaching fifth grade and made the one-hour drive from Bradenton to Tampa to watch Kentucky play Friday in the Southeastern Conference Tournament. "I still love UK. Of course, I like it a lot better when UK wins," said Gorley, who was wearing a blue shirt and blue UK hat as he watched the Cats lose to LSU. "My students, and even former students, really rub it in when UK loses.

Organizers are optimistic about the 2007 Kentucky Wine and Vine Festival that will be held in downtown Nicholasville May 10 through 12. "It's getting bigger each year," said Butch Mellott, committee chairperson. "Last year we had more than 3,000 people. I would expect around 5,000 to 6,000 people to pass through this year. " Nicholasville Now Director Carola Hartley's battle cry for this year's event is more. More chefs, more vendors, more wineries and vineyards, and more music.

Tony Wilham is a blend of pleased and philosophical about hearing songs off his first album on the radio. The contemporary country recording is titled "The Simple Times" and Wilham five songs are getting airplay locally. His tunes have played on radio stations in Liberty, Somerset, Russell Springs, Columbia, and Cincinnati. Danville's 105 FM has played his music as well, Wilham adds. Plus, he has an investor in Ohio, and he wants to take this music-making as far as he can, he says.

The Stonebridge Summer Saturday Night Concert Series, marking its fifth year, will be in full swing starting this Saturday night on the Downtown Green in Wilmore. The entire series spans just about two months, with the finale concert scheduled for Aug. 27. It will feature a variety of music styles, including,country, southern rock, barbershop, rhythm and blues, jazz, bluegrass, western swing, a cajun-gospel blues mix, classical flute and guitar, and big band. The Walnut Street Ragtime Ramblers, a Dixieland style band, will open the series Saturday at 7 p.m. Keeping the concerts family friendly has been a goal for the organizers, Wilmore Community Development Board member Judy Woolums said.

Past fair favorites will return to freshen up Garrard County’s annual bash this year. After a two year hiatus, USWA wrestling and live music will return to the fair, Chairman Richard Arnold said. “I think it will bring a lot of excitement and quite a few people to come in,” he said. Both events are included in the $10 cost of admission to the fair, which begins Saturday and runs through July 2 at the Garrard County Fairgrounds on North U.S. 27. On Wednesday and Thursday, USWA wrestling will take center stage at the pavilion with five to six matches each night.

Country crooner Coy Taylor returns to his home turf Saturday for a concert at Eddie Montgomery's Steakhouse in Harrodsburg. Taylor, of Dry Ridge in Grant County, said he's excited about playing at Eddie Montgomery's. “I played John Michael's (restaurant) a few years ago. ... I'm really looking forward to (performing for) my fan base in Kentucky,” Taylor said in a telephone interview. “I'm excited about doing more shows in the Kentucky area.” Taylor's single “Fall For You” has been rising on the country music charts.

The gents of Sleepwalking Souls have the talk and song from tongues of lilting grace. That is to say, they're confirmed "Zep-heads," or devotees of Led Zeppelin. "We like a lot of Zeppelin," says Clovet Shelton, guitarist for the band. Individually, drummer Eddie Hankla counts Rush and older Beatles works as influences, while bassist Garland Frederick says Aerosmith and Lynyrd Skynyrd have impacted his music. Vocalist Troy Cheak says the Southern rock sound is key to Sleepwalking Souls, even though his early music memories had a different flavor.

Events for this column must be submitted to the Advocate by noon Tuesday to be in the Thursday newspaper. Call (859) 236-2551, ext. 135, with complete information, including hours and admission price; or e-mail advocatearts@gmail.com. To submit to the online calendar, visit our homepage. VISUAL ART Acrylic paintings by Betty Crouch, Commonwealth Cancer Center, Danville bypass. Open during regular business hours. Free. Works by Sarah Ashley, Winnie Keedy, Geri Trinler, John Robinson and Tom Lamp, a Gathering Artists exhibit at Commonwealth Cancer Center, Danville bypass.

Events for this column must be submitted to the Advocate by noon Tuesday to be in the Thursday newspaper. Call (859) 236-2551, ext. 135, with complete information, including hours and admission price- or e-mail advocatearts@gmail.com. VISUAL ART Works by James Crow and Russ Barragan, through June, Community Arts Center, 401 W. Main St. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday- closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Information: (859)