Michael McDonald, shown here at last year's Barnstable Brown Gala, will be back to party and entertain tonight. Copyrighted Herald-Leader photo by David Perry.
UPDATED, BELOW
The Barnstable Brown Gala clocks in as the last of the big Derby bashes to announce its guest list, releasing it less than 24 hours before the first attendees arrive.
Tricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable put together a list, as reported by Louisville's Courier-Journal, that includes music, film, TV and sports stars.
Edward Norton, soon to be in a theater near you as The Incredible Hulk,
leads the list of screen stars on this, the opening day of summer
blockbuster season -- I can't get this Black Sabbath tune out of my
head for some reason.
We've also got a Kentuckian coming home in Murray-native Molly Sims of NBC's Las Vegas fame. Also on their ways are Jerry O'Connell and the 10, Bo Derek.
"Reality" TV has been a bigger and bigger deal at Derby events in recent years, and Hugh Hefner will be the marquee attraction this year bringing his Girls Next Door series to the gala. Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt of MTV's The Hills will also be in the house. Also from TV land are chef Bobby Flay and FOX News' Bill O'Reilly.
Joey Fatone of 'N Sync and Dancing with the Stars fame will be there. Will he sing, dance, or both?
One of the big questions is always who will be playing with the band and there are, of course, some old friends in the lineup, including Michael McDonald, Taylor Dayne, Smokey Robinson and Travis Tritt. They can show some newcomers, including Anastasia Brown, Lee Ann Womack, and Darryl McDaniels (the D.M.C. in Run-D.M.C.) how it's done in Louisville.
Rounding out the musical guest list are Supremes singer Frances Mary Wilson, Nick and Drew Lachey, Eddie Money, and his daughter Jesse Money.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has become a regular, and he'll be there along with fellow Patriots such as Randy Moss and Teddy Bruschi. Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens, who makes more headlines than corduroy pillows, will also be at the bash. If you like golf, you have Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger and ski fans can look forward to Bode Miller.
The twins, former University of Kentucky cheerleaders, will also show some love to their alma mater, bringing in the University of Kentucky Dance Team to perform. The party benefits Barnstable Brown Diabetes Research Labs at UK and the University of Louisville.
Of course, last year's marquee star was Louisville's Larry Birkhead, fresh from winning the custody battle for Dannielynn, his and the late Anna Nicole Smith's daughter. Birkhead and Smith met at the 2004 Barnstable Brown Gala, re-emphasizing the point that you never know what will happen on Spring Street on Derby Eve.
UPDATE:
Those crazy Hills kids, Heidi and Spencer, don't seem to be too interested in sleep while they're in L'ville. Post race, they're hosting an invite only soirée sponsored by Puglisi Racing at the Raw Sushi Lounge on South Fourth Street. Their guest list will include Kid Rock, Tara Conner, Kevin Federline, Jenny McCarthy, Birkhead and others.