This is my first time seeing this video. I'm originally from Memphis, TN and moved to Lexington, KY in Oct. 2011. This truly brought a tear to this ol' Memphis boy's eyes.
Born and raised in Kentucky (near Bardstown, but my father's family near Calvary goes back 200+ years. Joined the miltitary in 84 and never got back. Goddamn, there are still days I really miss the motherland. I still refer to myself as a Kentuckian. UK Fan forever!!!
What a wonderful bit of KY History! As you can see I am a KY Lady! however, I was not born there. So you folks who can VOTE in November. No one can sing the state song like Happy. May He rest in Peace! United we stand divided we fall! Go CATS GO! proud to be a Kentucky Colonel too!
I moved out of state for several years as a kid. My father died when I was 10, but I fondly remember him listening to an old record of Happy Chandler singing My Old Kentucky Home
I remember, as a child, how touching it was to hear Mr. Chandler sing this song. Nobody told me to feel that way. It just happens naturally when you are from the great Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Yes, this Song makes me Cry every time I hear it ! I knew 'Happy"! I know his family and took care of his grandsons (Ben III); it makes me soooo Emotional!!!! I just called Toss Chandler to let her hear him Sang!!
I was trying to describe "passion" to a person the other day, as in having a passion for a job, a field of study, etc. It may be hard to describe, but it's easy to identify when you see it. Just look at the Gov. He has passion for his state, its people and its history. This is one example of what passion looks like and what it does for others.
After all these years it still brings tears to my eyes. I had the honor of growing up just down the road from Happy Chandler and though many miles seperate me from the place of my birth every time I hear that song I remember that I will always be a proud to be from Kentucky.
I'm from New York and I haven't been to Kentucky yet, but every time I hear My Old Kentucky Home. It brings a tear to my eye and my thoughts turn to home and family.
UK or UL fans should both appreciate this rendition of a great song. You won't ever hear it sung with more emotion than ol' Happy Chandler could bring.
I saw this video in a history of Kentucky class at school a few weeks ago and after looking at this song on itunes I can't find a single artist who can hold a candle to Happy Chandler! Incredible!
My great-grandmother used to sing this song a lot. She wasn't from Kentucky; she grew up mostly in Ohio (which is next door) and in Iowa. She passed away when I was six. I've never even been to Kentucky myself, but I know a lady who is originally from there and whose daughter went to school with me. I think of all three of them whenever I hear this song.
His passion is what gives him the strength in his advancing years to stand tall, sing powerfully and invoke such emotion in others. One asked about how the black players felt. Observe the black man (parent) visible with the Gov. begins. He appears to me to be somewhat indifferent. At the end, he is singing and wiping the tears from his eyes. 'Nuff said.
Described as "one of the most emotional moments in sport," former Governor A.B. "Happy" Chandler sings the state anthem, "My Old Kentucky Home" - on Senior Night at Rupp Arena, March 2nd, 1988 - for Wildcats Ed Davender, Winston Bennett, Rob Lock, Cedric Jenkins, and Richard Madison. This was also Rex Chapman's final game in Lexington, as he entered the NBA draft after the 1987-1988 season.
Was there when this occurred, as I have been for every Senior Day since Rupp Arena opened in 1976. "Happy" loved UK & UK Basketball. He was also responsible for the CHANDLER Medical Center & College of Medicine @ UK becoming a reality. Contrary to history revisionists, the MOKH, Chandler, nor Coach Rupp were racist. This is abundantly clear to anyone interested in the FACTS, and not PC rhetoric.
I saw the Delta Queen playing this in Paducah before Derby Week.Some school teachers on a field trip from Graves County couldn't identify the song for their students.I grew up in Tennessee(forgive me)but I can hum the song.I think those teachers should have their certificates revoked.
actually my KY neighbor that is English. We here in America speak English like our good neighbors the Canadians. "We just have various dialects! like speaking Kentucky! ya"all!
@johncal2009 Actually, Stephen Foster did visit Kentucky. He had relatives in Bardstown, Ky. one of whom was a prominent Statesman named John Rowan. My Old Kentucky Home is a place called Federal Hill in the beautiful city of Bardstown. I would love to see the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I've only been to the Delta. Thanks for your post.
ljenkin6, this looks to be the 1988 team's senior night including #44 Robert Lock, #25 Winston Bennett and #15 Ed Davender. I hope I've got all these right because they deserve the recognition!
So special. Happy Chandler should be in children's history books around the country. He made way for Jackie Robinson to join the majors. He captivated Kentucky.
A little did you know: Chandler was considered a leading candidate for President on the Democratic side in 1940 had FDR not run for his third term...when he was elected governor of Kentucky in the 1930's he was considered the "Boy Governor" because he was only in his 30's...
@mr22jake22 It is a great song either way so do not disrespect the state which it represents. This song is the pride of many a hard working people. Please respect it even though a couple of words have been changed.
Mr Chandler my not be a racist but UK sure was. Mr Chandler intergratd MLB but could not do the same for UK sports. MLB was done in 1947 and it took UK basketball another three decades to to the same. I was in charleston SC watching the NCAA tournament and was surprised when I saw UK playing I could not believe it was UK that was in 1975
