10-year-olds to perform at Corbin Relay for Life

By Samantha Swindler / Managing Editor

Two 10-year-olds will share the spotlight at this year’s Corbin Tri-County Relay for Life on June 15.

Mackenzie Morgan of Corbin and Savannah Hill of Rockholds will perform during the 9th annual Corbin relay’s kickoff festivities at Corbin Speedway, where teams of cancer survivors and supports will walk through the night. Relay organizers hope to raise $75,000 for the American Cancer Society through sponsorships for this year’s walkers. In 2006, the event raised $67,000.
The girls will sing country and gospel music, and though they’re only 10 years old, each has been singing publicly for five years.  Hill gave her first public singing performance in kindergarten during a student talent show that changed the direction of her life.  “I just heard there was a talent show and I thought, well, I might as well just try and see what my future is,” Hill said.  Since belting out that first song — Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” — and placing third in the talent show, Hill’s musical career has blossomed. She has performed at the Daniel Boone Festival, the Mount Laurel Festival, and with the Marshal Andy Sunday Chuckwagon Serenade, a dinner theater program in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. She was named the 2007 Future Star of Tomorrow and Female Vocalist of the Year in the Youth 7-12 Traditional Country Category at the North America Country Music Association International Competition. On Sept. 21, Hill will open for Jeff Bates at Renfro Valley.

Morgan began her singing career at age 5, performing at churches and during weddings and funerals.
“I just felt the Lord calling me to sing, and I thought I would just give it a try and see what happens,” Morgan said.
She has since performed at fairs, festivals and music theaters in Kentucky, Texas, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio and Maryland. Morgan was named the 2007 New Gospel Entertainer of the Year and the 2007 New Gospel Vocalist of the Year for her age category at the North America Country Music Association International Competition. In 2006, she was invited to sing in the Pageant of Peace Christmas celebration at the White House.
    In about 10 years, Morgan said she sees herself “traveling all across the world in my big pink and purple bus with sparkles all over it” — a color scheme inspired by Loretta Lynn’s own tour bus.

Hill said she has similar plans — but pictures a green and black tour bus instead.

Morgan is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. June 15 at the Corbin Speedway. Savannah is scheduled to perform at 8:45 p.m. Other events that evening include the lighting of the luminaries at 10 p.m. and a fireworks show at 11 p.m. Those who aren’t on a relay team are invited for the food and music and to try their hand at the dunking booth and mechanical bull. Teams will stay at the track through the night, with closing ceremonies at 7 a.m. June 16.