Morrow: Local 'Dancing' tests nerves, knees

By Terry Morrow (Contact)
Monday, April 13, 2009

Frank Murphy on "Dance dance revolution"

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Here's a confession on the dance floor: I must have been out of my head to agree to be part of "Dancing with the Knoxville Stars."

Maybe I was thinking, "Oh, how hard can this be?" Well, I got my answer.

Unfortunately.

But I'm doing this is for a fantastic cause - raising money for East Tennessee Children's Hospital. Proceeds will be earmarked to buy equipment. The worst that can happen is I'll look foolish in public. Again.

A winner is determined by the judges' votes during competition combined with money raised by each dancing duo.

Each $1 equals one vote. To vote for me, go to http://www.firstgiving.com/terrymorrow and donate before April 22.

The best possible result is that a sick child might be helped because I was willing to put myself out there.

Now that's not so bad.

Getting the dancing routine together is tough. Rehearsals began a week ago. We don't have long since the event is 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at Academy Ballroom in the Downtown West Shopping Center.

In 10 lessons, I need to go from being a guy with two left feet to being someone who looks like he can handle a simple turn to the left as "Stayin' Alive" thumps in the background.

I have no rhythm. I move like an ox in mud. Dancing like a fool at a Hollywood party with alcohol-fueled celebrities is one thing. No one is rating my moves, and I can do whatever dumb dance I make up.

"Desperate Housewives" star Teri Hatcher didn't mind when she and I tripped the light fantastic one night in a West Hollywood club. I'm constantly trying to out maneuver "Chuck" star Zachary Levi on the dance floor. (Sidebar: He's a fan of doing the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance.)

Here, it's a whole other story. There's pacing and beats, turns and dips.

Who knew turning to my left and extending my leg would require an hour of practice?

Fortunately, Rhonda Becker of Dance Dimensions studio in West Knoxville has the patience of a saint. She's kind, encouraging and tactful. On top of all this, she's gotten clue that I'm neurotic. This has to be more than she signed on for.

The other "stars," who seem to share my fears, include WATE, Channel 6, anchor Lori Tucker; WBIR, Channel 10, "Live at Five at Four" anchor Beth Haynes; News Sentinel food writer Mary Constantine; WATE sports reporter Mark Nagi; WWST-FM, 102.1, personalities Gretchen Bartlett, Kim Hansard and Frank Murphy; Olympian Dee Dee Trotter; and local "Hell's Kitchen" contestant Carol Scott.

Terry Morrow may be reached at morrowt@knoxville.com or 865-342-6445.

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