Clay Campbell likes to give a helping hand to young talented performers. In the Stars Of Tomorrow Shows the Kentucky Opry proudly presents the best of the best. This show is made up of unique performers: Cloggers, fiddlers, banjo pickers, singers and musicians of all were all hand picked Mr Campbell to produce this show. To see the dates these young people are performing check out our schedule of events.
| Aaron Thompson | ||
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Aaron Thompson is a 14 year old State and National Champion banjo picker from Olive, KY. Aaron started playing banjo at the age of 9 under the teaching of Kentucky Opry's own Scottie Henson. This is Aaron's 4th season performing on the Stars of Tomorrow show. The past four years Aaron has had the privilege of playing with the Kentucky Opry Band, opening for stars such as Don Williams and the Oak Ridge Boys. Aaron's most recent honor was performing for the Kentucky State House and Senate during the 2008 legislative session. Aaron attends school at Eastwood Christian Academy where he is a member of the JV Basketball Team and Fine Arts Competition Team. Aaron personally wants to invite you to come out and enjoy a Stars of Tomorrow Show at the Kentucky Opry this summer! |  |
| Logan Yandell | ||
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Logan Yandell, age 14, has been playing the mandolin from the age of 7. He was inspired by his friend and mentor, Ricky Skaggs, while in “Mr. Ricky and Ms. Sharon’s” 1st grade Sunday School Class. Ms. Sharon introduced the then 7 year old Logan to Grammy nominated mandolin player David Harvey. Logan is currently a student under Michael McClain at Belmont University learning music theory. Logan was recently awarded a merit scholarship for the fall semester from Belmont University, Music Academy Department. Logan has won or placed in several mandolin instrumental contests including the Wabash River Bluegrass Festival, Kentucky Opry Talent Search and the National Fiddlers Jamboree, in Smithville, Tennessee. Logan also plays tenor saxophone in the Davidson Academy Band. | |
| Carson McKee | ||
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Carson McKee is a 10 year-old fiddler and a 4th grader at Symsonia Elementary in Symsonia, KY. She started taking Suzuki violin lessons at age 3 and began picking out bluegrass tunes on her own at age 6 after sitting in on some of her granddad and his friend’s old-time music sessions. She loves playing with Clay Campbell and the Kentucky Opry band and is excited about her third season with the “Stars of Tomorrow”. She has enjoyed playing at the telethon and joining the band as they opened for the Oak Ridge Boys and Ray Stevens. Carson also likes to sing, play tennis and basketball, and spend time with her family. |  |
| Lauren Smethwick | ||
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Lauren Smethwick, age 12, is a seventh grade student at Dresden Middle School. Lauren discovered her love for singing and performing at the age of 8. She truly enjoys entertaining the crowd wherever she performs, but especially at the Kentucky Opry! In 2007-08, Lauren was the junior winner of the TN Soybean Festival Talent Contest and Weakley County Idol Winner for the second year in a row. Lauren was the youngest contestant to place in the top ten of the 2008 Froggyland Idol Contest and placed in the top 20 in the West TN Idol Contest out of 200 hopefuls. She enjoys playing guitar, softball, and water skiing. She is a member of the Student Council, Beta Club, and Pep Club at her school and is the reigning Jr. Miss Dresden 2008. Lauren would like to thank Clay and Barbie Campbell, the KY Opry Band, and Ky Opry supporters for all of their encouragement. |  |
| Courtney Walker | ||
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I am 13 years old. I'm from Grand Rivers, Ky. My parents are Randy and Pam Walker. I have an older sister named Keri, who attends Murray State University. I've been singing and playing my guitar for about 4 and a half years. This will be my third summer in the Stars of Tomorrow Show. I've really enjoyed being able to play with the band and perform for the audience. I've also been able to meet a lot of people and make new friends. When I'm not playing and singing, I enjoy playing basketball, softball, and playing with my Jack Russell Terrier named Snicker. Courtney was 3rd place winner in the beginner division of the Kentucky Opry talent search in 2008. |  |
| Jalyn Walls | ||
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Jalyn Walls is 13 years old. She attends 8th grade at Dawson Springs Independent Schools. She has maintained a 4.0 throughout school. She also went the last 6 years without missing a day of school. She plays high school and middle school basketball as point guard. She also starts on third base for the high school varsity fast pitch softball team. She is the junior varsity starting pitcher. She loves to sing as well. She won the beginner's division at the Kentucky Opry in 2006-2007. Her favorite music is country and gospel. Her favorite artist is Carrie Underwood. |
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| Mason Taylor | ||
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Mason Taylor is 10 years old from Humboldt, TN and came in 1st place in the beginners division of the 2008-09 talent search and will be a part of the Stars of Tomorrow show this summer. |  |
| Olivia Floyd | ||
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Olivia Floyd age 12, of Murray, will be entering the 7th grade at Murray Middle School. She has been singing for fun since age 3 and just discovered the Kentucky Opry stage this year. She has performed since age 6 at Murray’s community theatre, Playhouse in the Park, in such plays as The Hobbit, Jungle Book, Bugsy Malone, Annie, School House Rock, High School Musical 2, A Christmas Story, and It’s a Wonderful Life. In her free time, she enjoys deer hunting, fishing, softball, tennis, cheerleading, and just joined her church’s praise band. |  |
| Michael Paul Castleberry | ||
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Michael Paul Castleberry is 10 years old clogs each week in the Stars of Tomorrow Show. He is also learning to play guitar and banjo. Michael is a real crowd pleaser. He was the winner in the "Variety" Grand Rivers Talent Contest in 2008. | |
| Savanna Gardner | ||
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Savanna Gardner 12 year old Savanna from Paducah, KY sings, plays guitar and clogs in the "Stars of Tomorrow" Show. Savanna came in 2nd place in the instrumental division of the 2008 Talent Search. She has won several talent competitions around the area. |  |
| Justin Smith | ||
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Justin Smith is a 12-year old student at Benton Middle School, and is from Benton Ky. He's been member of the Paducah Symphony Children’s Choir that performed for the Governors Inauguration on December 11, 2007 for the Governor. He loves country music, and entered The Opry talent search and won &also won a preliminary and made the finale 12 again this year. Justin is in the Stars of Tomorrow show and will be paired up with Savanna Gardner, to perform several duets this summer. |  |
| Caylee Hall | ||
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Caylee Hall is a 5th grader at Paris Elementary School where she is active in the Veazy Vocal Group. She has also performed in theatrical performances at the Krider Performing Arts Center. The latest performance starred her as the character Alice of Alice in Wonderland. Caylee was just recently chosen as the runner-up of the 2009 Farmerican Idol contest which was held at The Dixie in Huntingdon, TN. She has been chosen to compete in the talent contest for 106.9 West Tennessee Idol and will perform at The Ned in Jackson, TN in May. Caylee has been singing since the age of 2 and is very committed to her music. She is taking guitar lessons to further her music ability. |  |
| Conner McKee | ||
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Connor is a 12 year-old fiddler from Symsonia, KY. He started taking Suzuki violin lessons at age 3 and was bitten by the Bluegrass bug at age 10. This is Connor’s second season with the Stars of Tomorrow, and he appreciates the opportunity to play with the Kentucky Opry band. He especially found it a great honor to join the band as they recently opened for entertainer Ray Stevens. Connor is a 6th grader at Symsonia Elementary, plays football and basketball, loves boating and skiing on KY Lake, and looks forward to talking with you this summer at the Kentucky Opry! |  |
| Chelsea Fromm | ||
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Chelsea Fromm is the 16-year-old daughter of Mike and Patty Fromm. She will be a junior at Union County High School. Last year, she was a finalist in Coca-Cola's annual talent competition in Louisviile at the KY State Fair. She was a state finalst in the Kentucky Colgate Country Showdown, being the youngest competitor there. She was also given the honor to sing for Governor Fletcher at a press conference. In 2004, Chelsea was given the honor to open for country music artist Brad Paisley. |  |