The Grand Rivers Tourism Commission is naming Saturday, May 18, 2013 as ‘Stanley Walker Day’, in honor of the Grand Rivers native and Rockabilly Hall of Fame musical talent. The day includes a free concert by Stanley Walker at the Badgett Playhouse Theater from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Donations will be collected for Kosair Charities which is close to Stanley’s heart. As a child, Stanley spent several years at Kosair Crippled Children’s Hospital, as both a resident and as an outpatient, when he developed a serious bone infection and had to lean to walk again.

“I can’t describe how great they was to me,” Stanley says today. “We was poor, and what got me most was how good they was to my mom. If it weren’t for Kosair Charities, I would not be alive.”

Even as a young child, Stanley was a gifted guitar player and he fondly recalls being wheeled to the girls’ ward where he’d entertain them with some fancy picking. “That was cool for a 10-year-old, brother,” he says with a laugh. Stanley recalls his time at Kosair as a “miracle from Heaven. God’s work.” He adds: “I love to tell it. I’d do anything I can for that organization.”

Stanley went on to play professionally, including 13 years as lead guitarist for Ray Smith and the Rock and Roll Boys, who recorded at the famed Sun Records in Memphis. Stanley’s career highlights also include appearances on Hee Haw, solo recordings, and backing artists including Roy Clark, Lefty Frizzell, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Stanley has produced four country albums and was recognized in Billboard Magazine for the singles, 'Old Easy Loving’ and ‘He Ain't Easy Anymore’. He also fulfilled a lifelong dream when he performed at the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2008.

The ‘Stanley Walker Day’ celebration and concert will take place on Saturday, May 18th 1:00-4:00 pm at the Badgett Playhouse Theater located at 1838 JH O’Bryan Grand Rivers, KY 42045. For more information, please call 1-888-362-4223 or visit http://kosair.org/event/stanley-walker-day/.

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About Kosair Charities: Since 1923 Kosair Charities has had one primary mission – helping children in need. Kosair Charities knows that the quality of a child’s tomorrow depends largely on the quality of health, medical treatment, and support a child receives today. That’s why over the years Kosair Charities has given more than $335 million to serve thousands of children and provide them a second chance at life. Kosair Charities is also the largest private benefactor to Kosair Children's Hospital. For more information please visit http://kosair.org or call 502.637.7696.