Seated:  Rodney Kirtley, Joe Ben Tucker, Mike Mercer
Standing:  Denny Kirtley, Hugh Sweatt
Not present:  Ted Everly

In 1988, Don Everly, after coming off an Everly Brothers tour, happened to be listening to a TV newscaster who was telling a story about the Central City, Kentucky fire department’s need for a two-way radio system.

Don immediately picked up the phone and called his brother Phil who also agreed they needed to help. The two contributed a total of $7500 for this cause. It was with this generous act that the Everly Brothers Foundation began.

The citizens of Central City wanted to express their appreciation to Don and Phil and the idea of a concert came about. In 1988 a committee made up of several businessmen (Ted Everly, Mayor Hugh Sweatt, Joe Ben Tucker, Bill Greenwood and Denny Kirtley) made their way to Nashville, met with Phil Everly, his road manager and sound manager. Much to the committee’s surprise, the Everly Brothers had always wanted to return to Central City to perform in concert. Thus the Labor Day Everly Brothers concert began.

On August 25, 1988 approximately 10,000 fans gathered to listen to the musical renditions that made the Everly Brothers famous. Over the fourteen years span of concerts, many fans from Europe made the trip to Central City and many fine friendships still exit today.

At present, the Everly Brothers Foundation exits to oversee the perpetual scholarship fund that allocates monies yearly to local countians who wish to pursue an education. Today’s foundation board is made up of Ted Everly, Hugh Sweatt, Joe Ben Tucker, Rodney Kirtley, Denny Kirtley and Mike Mercer.