East Tennessee Now

Frank Murphy interviews Kirstin Kropilak and Abigail Jumper of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine Alliance (KAMA) about their legacy fundraiser, Doc Rock for Health, which will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Mill & Mine. Tickets are available at https://kamalliance.org/docrock 

KAMA is a non-profit organization established in partnership with the Knoxville Academy of Medicine to promote health education programs that impact the welfare of our community and to encourage friendships among its membership.

The event features a "battle of the bands" in which at least two members from each band are physicians. Each band represents a local health-related charity and plays to win a percentage of the proceeds. During the event, attendees vote for their favorite band. The funds are distributed based on the number of votes each band receives, with a portion of the night’s proceeds donated to the respective charities represented by the bands.

This year's lineup:

• 7:00pm - Dr. Zoster and the Pox
  Playing for Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation
• 7:45pm - Whiskey Compass
  Playing for KAPA Kitchen
• 8:30pm - BBS
  Playing for St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic
• 9:15pm - No Recall
  Playing for Knoxville  Family Justice Center
• 10:00pm - Remedy
  Playing for Interfaith Health Center

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Frank Murphy interviews Kristy Altman, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations of MEDIC Regional Blood Center. MEDIC is the provider of blood and blood-related products for 25 hospitals in 23 counties in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky and regional air transport services.

January is National Blood Donor Month. This month, donors can receive a Feelin' Frosty t-shirt. During Roll Up Your Sleeve Week, donors can receive a sweatshirt and a raffle entry for other prizes. Upcoming incentives include hoodies and orange t-shirts. 

Starting January 1, 2026, platelet donors will receive a $50 e-gift card following their donation. The IRS raised the limit for rewards from $600 to $2000 for 2026. With this change, donors should not reach the limit. Therefore will not need to have a 1099 issued.

Learn more or make an appointment to donate at https://medicblood.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Kelly Orrico, Co-Founder and President of the Widowed Parent Relief Project. Kelly and her husband C.J. were inspired to start the WPRP after Kelly survived a massive stroke at age 39. A series of unlikely events led to her being found by a stranger and being brought to the only hospital in her area that had the technology to perform life-saving surgery she needed. 

Widowed Parent Relief Project's mission is to help build an enduring support system and alleviate everyday stressors for widowed parents so they can spend more time on their family's mental health and healing. A WPRP “Family Friend” volunteer walks alongside the parent for one year, staying apprised of current needs and advocating for the family in the community. During that year, WPRP also provides paid services, which include regular cleaning services, home organizing, and self-care/babysitting stipends. Learn more at https://www.wprp.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Mike Witcher, owner and chief meteorologist of eastTNweather. Mike became well known as the morning meteorologist on WBIR-TV from 2005 to 2014 and again from 2017 to 2023. He decided to leave television and become an entrepreneur by starting his own digital forecast service. His ad-supported business provides weather information free of charge via multiple social media platforms and via his own eastTNweather app and website.

Learn more at https://easttnweather.com

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Frank Murphy interviews Chris Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Remote Area Medical. Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) has provided free healthcare services to those in need through the operation of mobile pop-up clinics around the country. Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, known as co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. 

RAM will offer a free medical, dental, and vision clinic in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Learn more at https://www.ramusa.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as a National Park Service employee for more than 30 years, including ten years as Park Spokesperson.

During the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies joined with other partners to provide funding to  keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open to the public. Friends of the Smokies is seeking donations to continue funding projects in the Park. 

Learn more at https://friendsofthesmokies.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Jen Corbin, this year's president of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and Erica Moore, this year's vice president. The 57th annual Nativity Pageant will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. 

Parking is $5, credit or debit card only. Admission to the Pageant is free. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. A musical prelude begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. Arrive early enough to find seats before the performance, which begins in total darkness. The performance lasts about one hour. 

The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville features live animals, a cast of over 100 actors, a choir of over 100 singers, a full orchestra and four professional narrators. It tells the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

For more information, visit https://www.knoxvillenativity.com/

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Frank Murphy interviews Fr. David Boettner, rector of the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville. Fr. David discusses the first Sunday of Advent and the coming of the Christmas season. Visit the Cathedral's website at https://www.shcathedral.org/ for Mass times and other information. 

For details about the free Cathedral Concert Series, go to https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/

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Frank Murphy interviews local media personality Beth Haynes and Pamela Coleman of the McNabb Foundation about the Beth Haynes 12 Days of Christmas Online Auction benefiting the McNabb
Center’s Dear Santa Program. Funds raised through the auction will help provide gifts and experiences for more than 2,500 children and families in need this holiday season.

Bidding opens Monday, December 1, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. and runs through Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:00 p.m. Text 12days25 to 243-725 to view the auction items, or visit the website at
https://www.mcnabbfoundation.org/12days

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Frank Murphy interviews Aram Demirjian, Music Director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra about their upcoming performances including Rhapsody in Blue on November 20 and 21, 2025; Elf on November 23, 2025; Handel's Messiah on November 30, 2025, and the Clayton Holiday Concerts on December 19, 20, and 21, 2025. Aram also discusses the Knoxville Symphony Youth Ensembles and their upcoming Fall concerts. Find the full schedule at https://knoxvillesymphony.com/concert-calendar/ 

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