Butler County Arts Guild

THE BUTLER COUNTY ARTS HALL OF FAME

The Butler County Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to promoting the arts in Butler County, Kentucky. The Butler County Hall of Fame is administered by The Butler County Arts Guild (BCAG) and funds raised during tribute events and gifts given in honor of inductees go to The Butler County Arts Guild to fund future arts activities in Butler County.

An exhibit honoring the accomplishments inductees’ will be on permanent display in the near future at The Butler County Arts Guild Gallery at 115 West Ohio Street in Morgantown KY.

GRADY ROGER GIVENS

Inducted April 18, 2026

The 2026 BCAG President Frank Hobbs inducted Grady Roger Givens into the Butler County Arts Hall of Fame as its very first honoree in recognition of his contributions to the Butler County community through his support of the Arts.

A tribute dinner held on Saturday April 18, 2026 at the Eva Hawes Community Center in Morgantown. Nicholas Greenman acted as master of ceremonies.

American actor, Andy Stahl, a Butler County resident known for his work in film and television delivered a tribute speech in Roger’s honor. Stahl portrayed Tom McHone in the series "Christy” and Cadet Ned Fisk in the mini-series “North and South.” He has appeared in numerous films, including “The Blind Side,” “The River,” “October Sky,” “Glory Road,” “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James,” "The Lost Valentine," and “The Patriot.” In addition to acting, he has experience in directing and producing. Andy and Roger worked together in the 1980s to develop and bring to the stage the outdoor musical about local artist George Henry Dabbs titled “The Magic Belle,” which ran for ten years on weekends in August, first at the amphitheater in Morgantown and then at the Woodbury Outdoor Amphitheater.

An array of artifacts depicting Givens’s life and accomplishments was collected by his wife Deborah Taylor Givens and displayed at the induction event. Music for the evening was provided by accomplished pianist. Adrianna Vossbrinck, owner-operator of Bee Haven Flower Farm in Butler County and Murray State University music student Jamey Morgan, a past performer at BCAG Jamboree events.

Grady Roger Givens, known as Roger to his friends, is an historian, a writer, and avid advocate for the arts. His tireless efforts helped shape the cultural landscape of Butler County and enabled generations Butler Countians to experience and participate in the arts. The following are just some of Givens' accomplishments:

Founded the George Dabbs Celebration of the Arts. This event celebrated the life of local photographer George Dabbs and featured a photography contest. It also featured a play “The Magic Belle”, a musical drama, written by Ken Jenkins and directed by Andy Stahl and Curt Tofteland, which ran for 10 years, first at Morgantown Park Amphitheater and later at Woodbury Outdoor Amphitheater.
As publisher of The Butler County Banner promoted coverage of arts events and feature articles highlighting local artists past and present.
Has written several books to include: African American Life in Butler County, A History of Woodbury, and A History of Rochester. In 2013, wrote a history of Mt. Vernon Church for their 200th anniversary. Along with Nancy Richey, he co-authored History of Butler County for Arcadia publishing’s Images of America series.
Cofounded the Southern Kentucky Photography club which hosted workshops and lead to entries into regional art shows.
Helped document the history of Bluegrass in Butler County. He is credited in the award-winning documentary film Country Music by director Ken Burns for providing a photo pf Arnold Schultz for the film. He is interviewed about Schultz in a documentary created by the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
Served as President of the Green River Museum in Woodbury for 10 years. He was instrumental in the creation of a musical series at the museum known as “Concerts on the Green” that included performances by such artists as John Hartford and the McClean Family Band.
Procured and organized the remodel of a building for use by the then newly established Butler County Arts Guild. That building at 115 West Ohio St. in Morgantown KY, is now the current location of the BCAG’s Galary.
Givens was actively involved in the establishment of the BCAG from the beginning and served as president of the organization from 2018-2022 during which time he was able to obtain a number of grants. It was during Given’s tenure as president (2018) that the BCAG opened their first brick and mortar location in Morgantown on West Ohio Street. Givens remains involved in The Guild as an active member.