Month: October 2025

Vince Emmett is another one of those remarkable individuals who make up the Unbridled Family, a creative spirit whose work, faith, and story all seem to harmonize. 

Vince grew up near Champaign, Illinois, in a deeply supportive, faith-based family. Music grabbed him early, around age eight, after watching his dad strum a G chord and wearing out LPs by Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, and Chet Atkins. By nine or ten he was in a kids’ country band called The Reverbs, playing weekly TV shows, live radio, and state fairs, showing up to middle school with gig money in his pocket. 

When some bandmates began playing honky-tonks, his parents pulled him out, a painful moment that turned into a blessing. It led him toward church music under the mentorship of Pastor Phil Hansen, and soon after, a visiting gospel group from Lexington, Kentucky, the Gospel Couriers, heard him play and invited him on the road as a teenager. He toured churches and festivals, sharing bills with Southern Gospel greats like the Stamps Quartet, the Oak Ridge Boys, and the Happy Goodman Family. Those years built not just musical chops but a lifelong bias toward purpose over spotlight. 

After a stint pursuing his own rock project and even fielding offers to tour with major country artists, Vince chose a different path, composing for film. Introduced to filmmaking by Kentucky director Robbie Henson, and through projects involving Kris Kristofferson, Chris Cooper, and Patricia Clarkson, Vince discovered his second home: putting music to story. 

Today, he serves as President and CEO of American Troubadours, a collective of filmmakers and composers producing feature films, documentaries, TV series, and soundtracks. With offices and studios in Los Angeles, Nashville, Arizona, and a 250-year-old log-cabin retreat in the hills near Louisville, Kentucky, American Troubadours reflects Vince’s belief that meaningful art comes from places rooted in authenticity and stillness. 

Over three decades, Vince has collaborated with Oscar, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Emmy-winning artists including John Travolta, Dennis Quaid, Dolly Parton, Bruce Dern, Jon Voight, Chris Cooper, Stephen Lang, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, John Doe (of X), Roger McGuinn (of The Byrds), Joan Osborne, Ricky Skaggs, and Alice Cooper. Most recently, he produced the feature film Reagan (2024), starring Dennis Quaid, a sweeping biopic of the 40th U.S. President that marked another milestone in his expanding body of cinematic work. 

Vince and his wife Brenda adopted daughters from Ethiopia and now split their time between their farm outside Nashville and their historic log cabin near Louisville. Their family’s story of faith and adoption continues to shape Vince’s perspective on creativity and legacy. “Applause fades,” he says, “but the imprint you leave on your kids does not.” 

Like everything and everyone in the Unbridled Family, Vince’s journey is about more than success, it’s about purpose, faith, and the stories that endure long after the final note fades. 

We cannot say it enough- the Unbridled Eve Derby Gala could not happen without our incredible volunteers and committee members. This month, we are honored to spotlight Trenda Metcalf, Chairperson of the Décor Committee and one of the creative forces behind the breathtaking look and feel of Unbridled each year. 

Trenda has been part of Unbridled since the very beginning and has a deep history with the York sisters. She and Tammy met in high school and have remained close friends ever since. Their shared vision, creativity, and love for community have helped shape the elegance and heart that define every Unbridled event. 

A proud graduate of the University of Louisville, Trenda holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree. She began her career at GE as a customer service representative and worked her way up to her current position as Area Sales Manager, a testament to her hard work, professionalism, and leadership. Trenda and her husband Jay live in Louisville and are proud parents of two daughters. 

As Chair of the Décor Committee, Trenda leads the team responsible for creating the stunning atmosphere that guests enjoy each Derby Eve. Beyond décor, she is known for going above and beyond. securing exceptional silent auction items, rallying her family to volunteer, and ensuring that every detail reflects the Unbridled spirit of excellence and generosity. 

A dedicated professional, devoted wife and mother, and true Unbridled ambassador, Trenda exemplifies the heart and grace of our volunteer community. We are deeply grateful for her years of service, leadership, and friendship, and we celebrate her as one of the remarkable women who help make Unbridled unforgettable. 

The story of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation cannot be told without Blessings in a Backpack. In 2012, when the York Sisters embarked on their Unbridled journey, Blessings in a Backpack stood beside them as both the inaugural beneficiary and the fiscal agent for the very first Unbridled Eve Derby Gala. At that time, the Foundation’s nonprofit status was still pending, and Blessings’ partnership made it possible for Unbridled to take its first steps. 

For many children in America, the school cafeteria is more than a place to gather with friends—it is often the most reliable source of food they receive all week. When the final bell rings on Friday, far too many face two long days without consistent meals. 

Blessings in a Backpack was founded to meet that urgent need. The organization mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide weekend food for school-aged children who might otherwise go hungry. Its vision is simple yet profound: that every child in America has the nourishment needed to learn and grow. 

Since its founding, Blessings in a Backpack has become a national leader in the fight against childhood hunger. During the 2023–2024 school year alone, the organization distributed more than 3 million bags of food to children at 1,270 schools across 46 states and the District of Columbia. Since 2009, it has provided over 30 million hunger-free weekends for more than one million children nationwide. 

The impact extends beyond nutrition. In partnership with Quaker Oats and Ipsos, surveys show that children supported by Blessings feel more cared for by their community, perform better academically, and experience greater happiness at home. These results confirm that each backpack represents far more than a meal—it is a message of hope, care, and belonging. 

On average, $175 feeds one child for an entire school year, ensuring they return to class each Monday nourished and ready to learn. Blessings in a Backpack operates through seven regional chapters and more than 1,200 community-driven programs, each committed to ending weekend hunger for the kids who need it most. 

Unbridled’s partnership with Blessings in a Backpack reflects a shared belief that no child should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. Together, we continue to fill backpacks—and hearts—with nourishment, dignity, and the promise of a brighter future. 

To learn more or support their mission, visit blessingsinabackpack.org. 

Mario Urrutia is a Louisville native and former football wide receiver for the University of Louisville Cardinals. After a standout college career, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals following his junior season and went on to play for both the Bengals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. Mario continued his professional football career in the Arena Football League and the Canadian Football League before deciding, after seven years on the field, that it was time to begin a new chapter. 

Driving home to Louisville after his final game, Mario reflected on how he could help other athletes prepare for life beyond the game. His lifelong dream was to help young people set and reach their goals — a calling that began when he volunteered as a youth mentor in high school. In 2011, he turned that passion into purpose by founding a nonprofit organization focused on Physical Education, Nutrition, Leadership Development, and Economic Empowerment for children ages 8 to 14. 

Mario also made the commitment to finish his college education, believing that he could not encourage young people to value education without completing his own. In May 2016, he proudly earned his degree in Communication with a minor in Business Marketing from the University of Louisville. 

Today, Mario serves as the Founder and President of Super Student Athletes, helping the next generation of student-athletes build leadership skills, financial literacy, mental wellness, and personal brand awareness. He is also guiding the development of myNIL Playbook, a digital education platform designed to empower student-athletes in the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness landscape. 

As the leader of a family enterprise that includes Urrutia Enterprises, MBE Contracting &  Supply, and the Super Student Athletes nonprofit, Mario oversees integrated initiatives  focused on housing, workforce, and youth development. Through his affordable housing  ventures, he’s helping families gain access to quality, attainable homes while investing in sustainable neighborhood growth across Louisville. 

As a board member of the Unbridled Charitable Foundation, Mario brings his spirit of mentorship, perseverance, and service to the mission of helping others live unbridled. His journey from professional athlete to community builder demonstrates that true success is measured not by accolades, but by the lives you lift up.  

A Legacy Born in the Heart of Bourbon Country

Few brands embody Kentucky heritage quite like Chicken Cock Whiskey. First distilled in Paris, Kentucky in 1856, long before “bourbon” became a household word, Chicken Cock began as James A. Miller’s small-town dream and grew into one of America’s most celebrated pre-Prohibition whiskies. Known for its quality, craftsmanship, and unmistakable character, it quickly earned a place in bourbon history. 

After disappearing from shelves in the mid-1900s, Chicken Cock made a triumphant comeback when spirits entrepreneur Matti Anttila revived the storied brand in 2011. Today, from its new home in Bardstown, Kentucky, the brand continues to carry forward its nearly 170-year legacy of excellence, honoring tradition with slow-growing American white oak barrels and meticulous aging standards that make every bottle worth savoring. 

With award-winning releases such as Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Double Oak, and Ryeteous Blonde, Chicken Cock continues to celebrate Kentucky’s proud whiskey tradition with modern flair. Visitors can experience that legacy firsthand at the brand’s two stunning tasting rooms, one in the heart of downtown Bardstown and the other in Louisville’s vibrant NuLu District. 

At Unbridled, we’re proud to partner with a brand that shares our passion for craftsmanship, authenticity, and celebrating life’s finest moments. And this year, Chicken Cock is raising a glass to generosity once again, donating another full barrel of whiskey for our 2026 Unbridled Gala. 

The lucky winning bidder will be treated to an unforgettable exclusive tasting experience featuring three unique, hand-selected barrels from Chicken Cock Whiskey’s finest bourbon inventory, crafted at Bardstown Bourbon Company. Choose to sample and select your favorite in the comfort of your own home, or enjoy an immersive experience onsite at Circa 1856, Chicken Cock Whiskey’s brand home in Bardstown, KY. 

Each barrel, aged a minimum of four years, promises unparalleled quality. Once you’ve chosen your favorite, you’ll personalize your bottles with custom text, up to 20 special characters on the front and back of each bottle—making this truly your own signature bourbon. 

The experience doesn’t stop there. You’ll receive the very barrel that aged your whiskey, along with six 6-pack cases of your custom bottles (typically yielding 180–210 bottles). Your collection can be shipped directly to you, or you may choose to pick it up onsite at Circa 1856 for the full Kentucky experience (travel not included). Please allow up to 90 days after the Gala to sample, select, bottle, and ship your product. 

From Paris to Bardstown, from 1856 to today, Chicken Cock Whiskey remains a symbol of timeless Kentucky spirit. We are honored to celebrate this legacy together as we toast to another Unbridled year of giving, craftsmanship, and community.