The Evolution of Nancy Jordan Blackmore

Nancy sang the National Anthem several times at Riverfront Stadium for the Cincinnati Reds and, in doing so, she became friends with Marge Schott, the General Partner who was eventually forced out of control of the franchise.

In 1986, Nancy participated in a TNN Contest called, "You Can Be A Star." Nashville insiders joked about the show calling it, "You Can't Be A Star."

Instrumental in Nancy's evolution were people like Dumpy Rice (who is, perhaps, the best Honky Tonk Piano player in the Nation), and songwriter, Bobby Boychers who encouraged Nancy to write and record her own songs. Bobby asked Nancy to close his show before 60,000 fans in 1985 for WUBE Cincinnati Free Day in the Country.

By 1988 Nancy had acquired the financial backing to record a demo in Nashville. There she became friends with prolific songwriter Dave Loggins, who wrote and recorded the smash hit, Please Come To Boston.

The late 80's were busy for Nancy between her musical quest and International Peace efforts with "Talk to Me" a song written by Nancy and recorded by 75 sixth graders featured on KET. Nancy was awarded the highest honor from the Kentucky Department of Education with the Golden Apple. Through her efforts a Russian Film Crew featured Kentucky Children with their letters of peace and friendship. Nancy was then invited to the former USSR where she toured the vast country and sang to thousands, including a National TV broadcast live in 240 million homes. Nancy also sang in an outdoor concert celebrating Kiev before 70,000 people.

Soon Nancy emerged onto television; she was hired in 1989 as a CNN Headline News Local Edition Reporter, covering Northern Kentucky News for TKR Cable. Former Governors and Celebrities were regular guests on programs Nancy produced. Nancy also produced a number of shows with the Cincinnati Zoo called Zoo News.

Nancy moved on to run for Kentucky State Senate; she was a contender but eventually went down in defeat in a heated primary. Soon after Nancy had her own Newspaper column and was producing special editions for the Recorder Newspapers. Nancy freelanced with the Cincinnati Enquirer and began to take on a number of freelance writing and promotional work.

In 1998, Nancy wrote and published a children's book "The Story of Big Bone Lick" about the paleontological history of this world famous fossil location. Her research spanned 3 years and took her all over the US, London, and Paris.

Characters from Nancy's book inspired the Florence Mall's Woolly Playland. Nancy helped by providing factual details and information in order to assure that children would learn about the history of Big Bone Lick.

Nancy joined the staff of the Santangelo Agency and produced a number of events. She helped the City of Cincinnati with Sponsorship Sales toward many park projects. For nearly a decade Nancy has assisted the Erie County Fair in Buffalo, New York, where she writes a number of special edition magazines featuring Motor Events and Agricultural activities of the fair. Each year Nancy coordinates media at the fair whose annual attendance is one million people.

When the Home Builders Association came to Nancy, she agreed to establish a local show featuring homes, products and services of their members. Three years later, MY New Kentucky Home hosted by Nancy Jordan Blackmore, is a local staple for home voyagers who garner ideas and dream or plan for owning their own American dream.

Today Nancy is volunteering to assist celebrations that honor Members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Eastern Legacy along the Ohio River from Maysville to Louisville. She was recently elected the President of the Friends of Big Bone and helped to organize the fledgling group's first event featuring An Evening with York, the African American Slave of William Clark. Nancy has submitted a proposal for a grant from KET to produce a documentary featuring Big Bone Lick, Kentucky. She yearns to take everyone to the places she has been and show them the fossils and rich legacy this extraordinary location has to offer.

In 2001, Nancy and her husband, Pete, purchased nearly 50 acres near Big Bone Lick State Park. The passion for the region lead them to open their tourism destination named Jane's Saddlebag which now includes five pristine acres offering the visitor a real Kentucky experience including a 1700 Flatboat replica, several themed outbuildings, and a restored 100-year-old barn. Bringing life back to the nearly dilapidated "saddlebag style home" Nancy and Pete now host events and tourist activities which promote the rich history of the region. Visitors can immerse themselves in history or simply sit and enjoy the untouched natural setting.

Nancy has served on the YMCA Board, the NKY Woman's Crisis Center Board, and the ST. Elizabeth Medical Foundation Board.

If you ask Nancy what her greatest achievement is she will proudly tell you about her four children, two grandchildren and husband Pete of 34 years. She enjoys her guitar, animals, gardening and feeding the birds.

While her resume seems to cover the widest genres of communication in a variety of forms, Nancy believes she has followed a natural progression in her career and life. One never knows what is in the future; however, you can be sure that she will continue to learn, share, contribute and evolve.