Some of the best musical groups that have ever originated from the Bluegrass State will gather on stage at Centre College’s Norton Center for the Arts for “A Kentucky Christmas with Tim Farmer and Friends.”  This star-studded event is planned for Saturday, December 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Danville.  The event is co-sponsored by the Ephraim McDowell Health Care Foundation and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital.

The Christmas show will be headlined by Tim Farmer, host of Kentucky Afield, the nation’s longest running outdoor television show; Byron Crawford, known as Kentucky’s storyteller; J.D. Crowe, a banjoist and bluegrass musician; Eddie Pennington, one of the greatest living thumbstyle guitarists; The “Moron” Brothers, writers of hilarious songs and performers of musical antics; and the Dean Osborne Band, a Bluegrass group that has been a part of the Kentucky Afield Christmas Show for the past several years. 

Others scheduled to perform are A Rare Breed of Bluegrass, The Southeast Kentucky Mass Choir, Danville Physician Choir, Dianna and Kristin (harpist and vocalist) and Tim Farmer and the Dells.

Tickets for the program are $20, $25, $30 and $35 and are available beginning November 17 from the Norton Center box office.  Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-877-448-7469.  The program is a fund-raiser to benefit Ephraim McDowell’s Rehabilitation Services and Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital.

“We feel very honored to be contacted by Tim Farmer as one of the benefactors from this Christmas show,” said Clark Taylor, chief executive officer of Ephraim McDowell Health.  “Our rehabilitation services benefit patients of all ages – from pediatrics to senior adults.”

“We are thrilled to be part of Tim’s Christmas show,” said Kerry Gillihan, president and CEO of Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital.  “It is natural for us to work with Tim, and we appreciate all he does for Cardinal Hill.  Because Tim has suffered a life-changing injury, he brings a true depth of knowledge to his work with our patients.  The connection between Tim and Cardinal Hill’s mission of helping each individual achieve maximum independence is complete.”

Farmer said the idea to do the Christmas show came about because of his love for entertainment coupled with the relationships he has developed with the performers who have agreed to be a part of the show.

“I’ve always played music and I’ve always enjoyed music and stage performances,” Farmer said.  “This just seems like a natural fit to showcase Kentucky talent.  For anyone who has enjoyed the traditional Christmas shows of years past, this is what they can expect.  The show offers everything from comedy to serious music.”

Farmer selected Cardinal Hill and Ephraim McDowell’s Rehabilitation Services as the benefactors from the Christmas show, partly because of his own circumstances.  Although a motorcycle accident in 1984 left him without the use of his right arm, he has adapted in order to continue doing what he loves best.  He learned to shoot a rifle cross-shouldered, tie a fishing line with his mouth and shoot a bow and arrow with his teeth.

“I’ve worked with Cardinal Hill in the past and am beginning to work with Ephraim McDowell and know that both offer quality services to patients,” Farmer said.  “I know there are people out there who greatly need help, and I hope this program will allow more individuals to receive the rehabilitation services they need.”

He added, “The Christmas season is a time for giving, and I hope people will remember that and come out and have a good time while helping others.”

Ephraim McDowell Health offers inpatient rehabilitation services at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville and Ephraim McDowell Fort Logan Hospital in Stanford.  Outpatient rehabilitation services are provided at McDowell Wellness Center and Kids Can Do Pediatric Therapy Center, both located in Danville, and Lincoln Physical Therapy in Stanford.

Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital provides physical rehabilitation services to patients of all ages.  Cardinal Hill offers inpatient, outpatient and pediatric therapy services.  Cardinal Hill has locations in Lexington, Louisville, Carrollton, Florence and Ft. Thomas, Kentucky.