LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The guest list for one of the most visible Kentucky Derby eve galas features celebrities, sports figures and performers.
The 12th Unbridled Eve Derby Gala, co-founded by Tammy York-Day and Tonya York, announced plans for the May 2 event at The Galt House. Best known for songs like "Everybody Have Fun Tonight" and "Dance Hall Days," Wang Chung co-founder, lead vocalist and guitarist Jack Hues performs.
Other musicians on the bill include Parmalee lead singer, Matt Thomas, former Bon Jovi guitarist, Richie Sambora, Midnight Star co-founders, Reggie and Vincent Calloway, and Marc Martel, who was featured as the musical voice for Freddie Mercury in the award-winning movie "Bohemian Rhapsody." Locally-grown entertainers J.D. Shelburne and The Crashers will entertain along with Mr. Mixx, who is the late-night DJ.
First-time guests, rapper Yung Gravy and 4-time Grammy-winning musician Gary Clark Jr., will join Unbridled musical veterans like Mike Mills of R.E.M., Skip Martin of Kool & The Gang and Dazz Band, and Johnny Edwards of Foreigner.
Former pro wrestler and Fox News commentator Tyrus Murdoch will attend alongside other TV stars including John Schneider from the "Dukes of Hazzard" and "Masked Singer" and 2025 Miss America Abbie Stockard. Kentucky-based guests include University of Louisville football coach Jeff Brohm, Former Miss America Heather French Henry, Miss Kentucky USA Connor Perry and Miss Kentucky Chapel Tinius.
Unbridled silent auction items
The gala is well-known for its silent auction, which features more than 100 items this year along with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The public can participate in the bourbon raffle and the silent auction, which includes:
- A bourbon raffle with packages from Pappy Van Winkle, Weller and Blantons.
- Chicken Cock Full Barrel Selection: Grain and Barrel Spirits will be auctioning a full barrel from their best hand selected Private Cask Bourbon Barrels.
- Taylor Swift Package: Signed guitar by Taylor Swift and two concert tickets for a concert during her next tour
- Richie Sambora Guitar and Lessons: Custom designed guitar with private guitar lesson with Richie Sambora
- Custom designed bracelets from Ronaldo Jewelry
- A vacation in a five-bedroom Airbnb in historic New Orleans
- A stay in a fantastic mansion in the Florida Keys
- A stay in Eden Roc in the Dominican Republic
Proceeds from the event support charities selected by the Unbridled Charitable Foundation. The primary beneficiary for 2025 is once again Blessings in a Backpack. Unbridled proceeds will also help APRON, Inc., which supports workers at local restaurants. Twelve other charities will also benefit, including Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Unbridled Eve tickets
Tickets are available for the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala. Ticket prices range from $1,600 for VIP Dinner Tickets to dance tickets for after 10 p.m. For information, visit www.unbridledeve.com/tickets
Performances:
- Wang Chung – co-founder, lead vocalist and guitarist, Jack Hues
- Parmalee – lead singer and guitarist, Matt Thomas
- Richie Sambora – guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of Bon Jovi
- Marc Martel – vocalist and performer; Freddie Mercury reincarnate
- Midnight Star – R&B duo, co-founders of Midnight Star, Reggie and Vincent Calloway, now known as Calloway;
- John Glosson – gospel and country singer who gained recognition as a finalist on ABC’s singing competition "Duets"
- J.D. Shelburne – one of the fastest-rising national country music stars
- The Crashers – one of the nation’s best party bands;
- Mr. Mixx – DJ and co-founder of 2 Live Crew
Attendees: Celebrities/Musicians/VIPs
- Yung Gravy – rapper known for "Betty", "oops!", with 4.9 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
- Gary Clark Jr. – singer/songwriter
- Skip Martin – Kool & The Gang, Dazz Band
- Mike Mills – co-founder, co-lead singer R.E.M.
- Boi-1da – in-house producer for Drake’s OVO Sound label
- DJ Prince – official DJ of Grammy-winning singer H.E.R.
- Johnny Edwards – second lead singer of the band Foreigner
- Nora Roberts – bestselling romance and suspense author
- Tyrus Murdoch – former professional wrestler, and television personality
- Warren Moon – NFL Hall of Famer
- John Schneider – "The Dukes of Hazzard"; "The Masked Singer"
- Abbie Stockard – Miss America 2025
- Bob Guiney – "The Bachelor", host of "Deal or No Deal"
- Michael Blackson – "Next Friday"; "Meet the Blacks"
- Festus Ezeli – former center for the Golden State Warriors
- Aron Haddad – actor/pro wrestler
- Rob Angel – founder of Pictionary; author
- Jean Cruguet – former Triple Crown winner on Seattle Slew
- John Velazquez – 3-time Kentucky Derby winner
- Numerous jockeys, many with Derby mounts, as well as Hall of Famers
VIPS/Celebrities with Local Impact:
- Jeff Brohm – head football coach at the University of Louisville
- Conor O’Driscoll – Heaven Hill master distiller
- Brent Elliott – Four Roses master distiller
- Chapel Tinius – Miss Kentucky 2024
- Connor Perry – Miss Kentucky USA 2024
- Dr. Ajmal Zemmar – Chairman of Neurosurgery at the VA Medical Center Louisville; featured in the documentary "After Death"
- Vince Emmett – producer of "Reagan"
- Chris Blandford – Adult Beverage Expert
- Ethan the Dog – compassion ambassador
- Heather French Henry – former Miss America
- Michael Bush – former NFL and University of Louisville running back
- The Kentucky Derby Festival Princesses
- Ben Jackey – Emmy-winning Unbridled Eve red carpet host
- Carissa Lawson – CBS News; Unbridled Eve red carpet host
- Nick Ferrara – national host and emcee
- Tonya York/Tammy York – co-founders, Unbridled Eve Derby Gala
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