Mayfield, Trace Adkins honor heroes with film premiere

It's been nearly three years since the deadly 2021 tornado that destroyed much of Mayfield, and those involved with the rescue efforts were highlighted in a documentary that had its hometown premiere. 

"Mayfield: Town of Heroes" was shown Tuesday night at Princess Theaters. Prior to two scheduled screenings for the public, there was a special showing for local first responders. Many of those responders attending were featured in the 17-minute film.

Country star Trace Adkins was on hand for the premiere. He served as narrator, executive producer and interviewed many of the first repsonders in the film.

The film was the result of Adkin's involvement with the city. He staged a free concert in Mayfield last year and also shot a music video there ("Somewhere in America"). Adkins told the audience it was his first time viewing the film, and his surprise on the film winning an Emmy for "Best Documentary". 

"I had no idea that some people had seen this little documentary we did and thought that it was worthy of something like that. The truth is, it wasn't us. It was you," Adkins said, referring to the audience. "It was the spirit that you people showed. It's America. And it made people proud when they saw it. "

The audience had nothing but praise for the film. Jackson Purchase Medical Center CEO David Anderson said the movie was hard to watch at times but, "The real message is that this community is so connected to one another that whatever happens, we're gonna pull together and we're gonna get through it. And we have." 

"Mayfield: Town of Heroes" is produced in part by Kioti Tractors, for which Adkins serves as a spokesman.