Family, friends, fans gather for Kenny Price highway dedication

This article is a republication of the original story from Oct. 10, 2013.

FLORENCE — Family, friends and fans of country music legend Kenny Price gathered Sept. 14 at the U.S. 42 White Castle to honor the Boone County native as a portion of U.S. 42 was dedicated in his name.

Folks and honored guests – including Nick Clooney, Colleen Sharp Murray and Dick Murgatroyd – were welcomed to the tune of Price's hits "Sheriff of Boone County" and "Walking on New Grass."

Price's son, Kenny, said the family is honored to have a section of U.S. 42 – from I-75 to Gunpowder Road – now named the Kenny Price Memorial Highway.

"When each of us were born, we were created by God to bring honor to our family, our city and our state," Price said. "For the 56 years of my dad's life people around him knew he loved his family and his city of Florence. He was proud to say 'I'm from Kentucky.' With the dedication of this stretch of road, Kentucky is saying: 'We'll always remember you.'"

State Sen. John Schickel sponsored the legislation after a Price family friend, Harry Sparrow, suggested the idea.

Nicknamed the "Round Mound of Sound," Price had 34 singles hit the charts. He also was host of WLW's "Midwestern Hayride" and a cast member of the popular television show "Hee Haw." He died in 1987. Recently, Price was inducted into the Northern Kentucky Music Legends Hall of Fame.

At the ceremony unveiling the signage for the memorial highway, several of Kenny's friends shared memories.

Colleen Sharp Murray, who worked with Price on the WLW's "Midwestern Hayride," recalled his humble nature.

"He could do anything," she said. "He was remarkably talented. When prosperity hit, everybody thought he'd move to Nashville or Indian Hill at least. They never moved off LaCresta Drive (in Florence)."

Nick Clooney, another friend and regular on WLW, gave a touching tribute. Clooney said that Price was one of "the best singers" he's ever heard.

"He sang with great heart and great intelligence," he said. "All who drive past this sign may not know the name, but they will ask and someone will be here to say, 'Kenny Price was a great singer, a great Kentuckian and a great man.' No one ever dies who is remembered. Kenny Price will live forever."

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