KSU wins 2011 Homecoming game; Midnight Star wows crowd

Frankfort, Ky...Kentucky State University (KSU) celebrated its 125th Anniversary on October 6 – 9 in Frankfort, Ky., the Commonwealth's Capital. The theme was “Uniting Generations: Securing Futures.”

Although there was one major injury requiring a player to be taken off the field in an ambulance just before halftime, the Thorobreds football team was victorious over the Fort Valley Wildcats in a dramatic 25-24 win. With less than 2 minutes left in the game, Senior Keith Massey intercepted a pass at KSU's 14 yard line.

Immediately following the game, R&B and electro-funk group Midnight Star performed a free concert on the track field. Their style of music is described on Wikipedia as "Dance-pop, Soul, Electro, Disco, Hip hop, and Quiet storm." In the midst of adoring fans and surrounded by numerous tailgaters, seven of the nine original members performed onstage:

vocalist Belinda Lipscomb, keyboard player/vocalist Bo Watson, guitarist/vocalist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, multi-instrumentalist Bill Simmons, and drummer Bobby Lovelace. The original group was founded at KSU in 1976 after first coming out as Funkafied.

The concert consisted of all the groups major hits, including U.S. R&B 2xPlatinum hit "No Parking on the Dance Floor", "Freak-A-Zoid", "Operator", and several hits the group wrote for other entertainers.

“We have been blessed to record 10 albums over 35 years and write for other great musicians,” said Melvin Gentry. Midnight Star still tours around the world and will be performing at two separate venues in California later this month. Original members and brothers Reginald and Vincent Calloway are no longer in the group.

Kurk Johnson of Atlanta poses before his ole college chums.

The weather was an added plus, with temperatures reaching 81 degrees. Later that evening, students enjoyed a concert at the Frankfort Convention Center and alumni gathered for drinks and camaraderie at the Capital Plaza Hotel.
"Gant" performs onstage.

It was a perfect afternoon to relax and listen to great music. Renee Carter from Louisville, Ky.

Saxophonist Benny J. Smith and Midnight Star's Bill Simmons pause for photo after the show.

On Sunday, many alumni visited friends, teachers and administrators at their homes in and around Frankfort to reminisce.

Alumni talk about working in the library with Former Librarian Mrs. Katie Jones.

Retired alumni Bobby Stone shows off new motorcycle.

Former instructors Dr. Winona Lee Fletcher and Blogger Tomi Johnson pose after discussing their future plans.

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.