Local Talent Shines During ‘An Evening with Carroll Arts’

By Lyndsey Summers, lsummers@mckenziebanner.com • June 30, 2026 • Updated July 12, 2026

From the Jun 30, 2026 e-Edition

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McKENZIE (June 20) — Carroll Arts, Inc., hosted its annual talent showcase, “An Evening with Carroll Arts,” on Saturday inside the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie. The event featured visual art and musical performances by Carroll County residents and natives.

Musical performers included Steve Morris, Chelsea Fuller Brown, Mitchell Brown, Diann Olson, Isaac Stephen Walker, Brittany Martin, The Eaton Family, Dana Wyatt, Larry Bullion and McKenzie Mayor Ryan Griffin. Danny Stover also took the stage, reciting lines from Shakespeare.

Between acts, recent Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School graduate Isaac Stephen Walker was presented with the Friend of the Arts award.

Over the years, Walker has performed in the High School Celebration of the Arts, An Evening with Carroll Arts, Southern Fried Nuptials, Southern Fried Funnies and Mistletoe Christmas.

“He’s performed in everything that we’ve produced the last few years,” said Glynda Rich. “His talents, his dedication to Carroll Art’s projects, his faithfulness and cooperative spirit and his ready smile have made him a delight — even though at times he has made his directors a little bit crazy.”

In high school, Walker was one of a few students who helped build his school’s theater program from the ground up. He performed in several school plays, including as Plankton in SpongeBob the Musical. He also served as his school band’s drum major for four years. He also played trumpet and saxophone for his school band. Outside of band, he also created and hosted his school’s “Tiger Talk” news show.

Sandi Walden, theater teacher and color guard instructor at Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, presented Walker with the Friend of the Arts award.

Carroll Arts hosts several annual events throughout the year. In July, elementary and middle school students are invited to attend Carroll Arts’ Creativity Camp. In August, Carroll Arts will present “Southern Fried Funeral” during the City of McKenzie’s Sweet Tea Festival.