Latest news with #TheAppalachianChannel
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Cupps, Gary Dugger perform in tornado-affected community
Residents of Finley Trailer Park gathered last Wednesday evening for a musical performance aimed at bringing the community together after the May 16 tornado. A flatbed trailer was transformed into a stage for a special performance by The Cupps, a Christian-based band from Williamsburg, and local singer Gary Dugger. The gathering was partially organized by Monroe Murphy, a resident of the trailer park who wanted to do something in response to the devastation that struck the area. YouTube personality John Ward of La Follette, Tennessee, also played a role in making the event happen. Ward, known for his channel The Appalachian Channel with John Ward, helped facilitate the visit and documented the event for his audience. The event brought community members together to uplift one another as the area begins recovery efforts following the EF-4 tornado that left behind major structural damage in the park. Murphy was among those who had damages to his home. Recounting his experience, Murphy said that at about 11:45 p.m. May 16, he stepped out on his porch because he'd heard a sound on the roof, which he said ended up being hail. 'The wind started picking up so I immediately closed the door and by that time, I knew something bad was coming so I laid down in my kitchen floor,' Murphy recounted. 'Next thing I know, my trailer felt like it was up in the air, turned upside down, and slammed on the roof.' Murphy said he must have blacked out during the experience, saying it only spanned 30 to 45 seconds. He shared that while he did not acquire any broken bones, it did hurt his head and back. Murphy went on to spend the night in his brother's truck, awaking there at daylight. 'I went back to where I knew I got up from and there was a Bible laying there... It had embroidery on it and it was Psalms 93:11. It said, 'The Lord will give charge over his angels to protect you in all your ways,' and that was laying right beside where I was at,' said Murphy. Now, Murphy temporarily resides in a mobile home loaned by Still Water Baptist Church. Ward has driven from Tennessee four times to provide assistance where he can. 'When this happened, I had supplies in stock already as I was giving stuff to the homeless,' Ward stated. 'When I came here, this was the first place I found really that needed some stuff.' Ward said it's been 'inspiring' to see both community members and other outsiders band together to provide aid to those in need. 'I'm just thankful for all the people that's donated and come to volunteer here,' he said. As attendees enjoyed the show, they were also treated to free hotdogs, chips, and water from Bobby and Angela Nelson. Wednesday's event came to a close following the two performances.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Cupps, Gary Dugger perform in tornado-affected community
Residents of Finley Trailer Park gathered last Wednesday evening for a musical performance aimed at bringing the community together after the May 16 tornado. A flatbed trailer was transformed into a stage for a special performance by The Cupps, a Christian-based band from Williamsburg, and local singer Gary Dugger. The gathering was partially organized by Monroe Murphy, a resident of the trailer park who wanted to do something in response to the devastation that struck the area. YouTube personality John Ward of La Follette, Tennessee, also played a role in making the event happen. Ward, known for his channel The Appalachian Channel with John Ward, helped facilitate the visit and documented the event for his audience. The event brought community members together to uplift one another as the area begins recovery efforts following the EF-4 tornado that left behind major structural damage in the park. Murphy was among those who had damages to his home. Recounting his experience, Murphy said that at about 11:45 p.m. May 16, he stepped out on his porch because he'd heard a sound on the roof, which he said ended up being hail. 'The wind started picking up so I immediately closed the door and by that time, I knew something bad was coming so I laid down in my kitchen floor,' Murphy recounted. 'Next thing I know, my trailer felt like it was up in the air, turned upside down, and slammed on the roof.' Murphy said he must have blacked out during the experience, saying it only spanned 30 to 45 seconds. He shared that while he did not acquire any broken bones, it did hurt his head and back. Murphy went on to spend the night in his brother's truck, awaking there at daylight. 'I went back to where I knew I got up from and there was a Bible laying there... It had embroidery on it and it was Psalms 93:11. It said, 'The Lord will give charge over his angels to protect you in all your ways,' and that was laying right beside where I was at,' said Murphy. Now, Murphy temporarily resides in a mobile home loaned by Still Water Baptist Church. Ward has driven from Tennessee four times to provide assistance where he can. 'When this happened, I had supplies in stock already as I was giving stuff to the homeless,' Ward stated. 'When I came here, this was the first place I found really that needed some stuff.' Ward said it's been 'inspiring' to see both community members and other outsiders band together to provide aid to those in need. 'I'm just thankful for all the people that's donated and come to volunteer here,' he said. As attendees enjoyed the show, they were also treated to free hotdogs, chips, and water from Bobby and Angela Nelson. Wednesday's event came to a close following the two performances.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
London residents turn to music, faith adjusting to new normal after tornado
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Songs of salvation rang through what is left of the Finley Trailer Park in London on Wednesday evening. John Ward is the creator of 'The Appalachian Channel' on YouTube and Facebook. He has been in London several times since an EF-4 tornado came through on May 16. He met with survivors and documented their stories. Wanting to help, he gathered up some people he knew to provide food and music for this healing community. KHSAA baseball, softball teams get ready for state tournament London residents turn to music, faith adjusting to new normal after tornado Man hospitalized after shots fired in Science Hill The evening included free hot dogs from 'Happy Dogs' and gospel music from Gary Dugger and the Cupps, a family and faith-based southern gospel group from Williamsburg. 'Just getting together and having a little bit of church service, just to praise God for the people that did make it. You know, there's quite a few losses, but there's a lot of miracles that happened,' said Ward. Bare ground marks where homes once stood, and piles of debris are reminiscent of demolished memories. The people in this community do not have much left. But what many of them do have is something that can't necessarily be seen; it's a feeling. It's their faith. And it's what's kept them going these past few weeks. Especially those who narrowly escaped, like Monroe Murphy. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'I laid down on the floor. Next thing I know, my trailer just upside down explodes. I end up way over there by that deck, just hanging on for dear life. It was awful,' Murphy told FOX 56. 'God had his hand on me. Saved me from all that.' He said the sheer fact that he's still alive is a sign from God in itself, but said finding a Bible lying next to him after getting picked up and thrown by the tornado is just another reminder that there was someone, or something, watching over him. 'I don't know where the Bible came from, and it had a cover on it. It was Psalms 91:11. It said, 'The Lord will give the charge over his angels to protect you all your ways.',' Murphy told FOX 56. Now, he is trying to find the owner. Read more of the latest Lexington & central Kentucky news The Bible is blue with 'Wendall Hammond, Love, Nancy' inscribed on the front. 'That was truly just God letting me know that he was there with me and that he protected me. So, He's got some type of purpose for me. I'm not sure what it is yet, but hopefully I'll live up to His expectations,' Murphy added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
