J.D. Shelburne with his wife, son and father at a Kentucky basketball practice with coach Mark Pope.
Kentucky fans figure to turn out in big numbers in Nashville for the SEC Tournament this week and will have a lot of free time with UK not playing until the final game Thursday night at maybe 9:45 p.m. if not later. If the Cats win, they would play at the same time on Friday night.
Kentucky Branded will be set up inside of the Hilton at 121 Fourth Avenue South in Nashville from Thursday through Sunday and might be open a bit Friday night. Kentucky Branded also plans to set up a few tables with Kentucky merchandise at Tin Roof (1516 Demonbreun Street) all four days.
Kentucky fan J.D. Shelburne will also have shows at Tin Roof Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Both shows will be on the second floor.
The country music singer was invited to a UK practice by coach Mark Pope earlier this season and is an avid Big Blue fan living in Nashville. He performs various shows in Kentucky every year but for reasons unknown to me he’s never been asked to sing the national anthem at a UK basketball or football game.
The University of Kentucky Alumni Association is hosting a pregame party and pep rally Thursday at 3 p.m. CT at Assembly Food Hall Skydeck (5055 Broadway Place, third floor) near Bridgestone Arena. The event will feature live music, special guest appearances from former UK players and celebrities, book signings by Jack “Goose” Givens, Doug Brunk and Tom Leach.
Seems like this would be the perfect setting for Shelburne, a Kentucky fan and Kentucky native, to entertain Big Blue fans. He’s going to attend all four games of the SEC Tournament Wednesday and even take his young son to the afternoon session. He’s as passionate about UK basketball as any fan I know and bleeds blue just like the fans who will be attending the pep rally.
However, Shelburne won’t be performing at the event. Tickets are $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door with free admission for children 12 and under. The ticket price does include a buffet.
Beyond the Edge (112 S 11th Street) will be the official UK game watch party venue for those who don’t have tickets to the games.
