Chris Stapleton honored with road sign

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials have added Chris Stapleton to the sign as travelers go into Johnson County, Kentucky.

From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Highway District Office 12: "We were privileged to meet with Chris Stapleton on Saturday evening before his show in Pikeville to present him with a replica sign marking his name on the Country Music Highway in Johnson County. We also gave him a framed copy of the General Assembly resolution that added his name to the highway.Pictured in the new cover photo are Stephanie Healey of Paintsville Tourism/Country Music Highway Museum and her friend Wade, Greg Couch, D12 Engineerng Support Branch Manager; Steve Roberts, D12 Sign Crew Supervisor; Kentucky Tourism Commissioner Kristen Brancum, Chris, Sara George, D12 Information Officer; Governor's Office representative Ellen Adkisson, and D12 Chief District Engineer Mary Westfall-Holbrook. Mary is pictured above presenting Chris with the replica sign"

New signs were installed last week adding Chris Stapleton to the Country Music Highway in Johnson County. Highway District 12's sign crew took down the old signs and put up the new at the Johnson-Lawrence County line and the Johnson-Floyd County line.  His name is alongside Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, and Hylo Brown.  The US 23 Country Music Highway features those that made an impact in country music from eastern Kentucky.  Music Fans can visit the US 23 Country Music Museum in Paintsville, Kentucky.  Find out more online by clicking here.

Chris Stapleton to release two albums in 2017

Chris Stapleton has announced that he will be releasing not one, but TWO albums this year.  The first one, "From A Room: Volume 1" is set for release on May 5, 2017, on Mercury Records.  Volume 2 is set for release this fall.

Fans can pre-order the album via Itunes (click here), or through his website with various bundles that include shirts and vinyl albums.

The nine song album features the following songs:

Broken Halos (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning (Gary P. Nunn and Donna Sioux Farar)

Second One to Know (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Up to No Good Livin' (Chris Stapleton and Casey Beathard)

Either Way (Chris Stapleton, Tim James, and Kendall Marvel)

I Was Wrong (Chris Stapleton and Craig Wiseman)

Without Your Love (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Them Stems (Chris Stapleton, Jimmy Stewart, and Shawn Camp)

Death Row (Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson)

Chris Stapleton has had a pretty extensive 2017 tour.  It follows a series of extraordinary years for Stapleton since the release of his breakthrough double Platinum solo debut album, "Traveller." Released May 2015 on Mercury Records Nashville, "Traveller" initially debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart with more than 27,000 albums sold, making it one of the best-selling first weeks by a debut country artist in 2015. 

Following a historic turn on the 49th Annual CMA Awards in 2016, where Stapleton became the first artist to win Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the same awards – Traveller became the first album to re-enter the Billboard 200 all-genre album chart at No. 1, where is stayed for two straight weeks. The critically acclaimed album went on to win multiple Grammy and ACM Awards and was the #1 selling Country album of 2016 and the fourth-highest selling album of 2016 across all genres.

Watch Chris Stapleton donate instruments to his high school

Chris Stapleton speaks with Johnson County High School band members.  Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Last week, Chris Stapleton returned to Johnson Central High School to help the school in a major way.  Not only did he perform two concerts, he also donated $57,000 worth of instruments through the ACM Lifting Lives Program.  He also helped build an outdoor stage with the students.  You can read more about his trip home by clicking here.

Break out the tissues as you watch the video below:

A trip home for Chris Stapleton

Yesterday and today, the town of Paintsville, Kentucky, was full of buzz thanks to a bearded man and his wife.  Chris Stapleton and Ram Trucks teamed up with ACM Lifting Lives when Stapleton visited his hometown, Paintsville, KY hometown for two concerts in the Johnson Central High School gym. 

During his visit, Ram Nation volunteers (a grassroots team of Ram truck owners) and students from the school's carpentry program dedicated an outdoor performance space, The Golden Eagle Stage Powered By RAM Trucks, for the school’s use.  

Chris Stapleton also donated $57,000 worth of instruments for the band.  A little history bit - back in the day, he graduated Valedictorian in his class and performed "Memories," a song he wrote.  This week, Stapleton got word that he was awarded Best New Male Artist from the Academy of Country Music.  That award will sit nicely on the shelf next to his CMA and Grammy awards.  Nevertheless, fame has not changed for Chris Stapleton as he is proud of where his roots originated in Johnson County, Kentucky.

Here are a few scenes from today:

Chris Stapleton Cupcake from Nonnie's Cake Corner 

Chris Stapleton with US 23 Country Music Highway Museum Staff - via Paintsville Adventures Tourism Facebook

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Chris Stapleton Homecoming

Shot and edited by Kevin Horn today as Chris Stapleton filmed his new commercial for Dodge Ram.

Posted by aroundpaintsville.com on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Kentucky representative seeks to add Chris Stapleton on Country Music Highway

Chris Stapleton

This week started the Kentucky Legislative General Assembly and one of the resolutions introduced includes recognizing country music singer, Chris Stapleton. Representative Hubert Collins of House District 97 (Johnson, Mogan, and Wolfe Counties), proposed HJR18 on January 5, 2016 to the House of Representatives to direct the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to honor the accomplishments of Chris Stapleton by including him on the Country Music Highway on United States Route 23 in Johnson County, and erect the appropriate signs. It was then presented to the House Transportation Committee on January 6, 2016. The regular session will conclude on April 12, 2016.

The text of the joint resolution reads as follows:

"A JOINT RESOLUTION directing the Transportation Cabinet to include Chris Stapleton on the Country Music Highway on United States Highway 23 in Johnson County.

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton was born April 15, 1978, in Lexington, Kentucky, grew up in Staffordsville, Kentucky, and graduated from Johnson Central High School; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2001 to pursue a music career and shortly thereafter signed as a songwriter with the publishing house Sea Gayle Music; and

WHEREAS, from 2008 to 2010, Chris Stapleton was the lead singer and guitarist of the bluegrass band The Steel Drivers, which was nominated for three Grammys in the genre of Bluegrass; and

WHEREAS, in 2010, Chris Stapleton founded a Southern rock band called The Jompson Brothers, which at one point opened for the Zac Brown Band; and

WHEREAS, in 2013, Chris Stapleton signed to Mercury Nashville as a solo artist; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton has written over 1,000 songs and has had five number one hits to his writing credit; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton has co-written songs with artists such as Vince Gill, Peter Frampton, and Sheryl Crow; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton's debut solo album, "Traveller", was released on May 5, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton won the Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year at the 2015 Country Music Awards; and

WHEREAS, Chris Stapleton is a top nominee at the 2016 Grammy Awards, having been nominated for Best Country Album, Best Country Solo Performance, Best Country Song for "Traveller", and for Album of the Year;

NOW, THEREFORE,

Be it resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

* Section 1. The Transportation Cabinet shall honor the accomplishments of Chris Stapleton by including him on the Country Music Highway on United States Route 23 in Johnson County, and shall, within 30 days of the effective date of this Resolution, erect appropriate signs denoting this designation."

The Country Music Highway is on US-23 in eastern Kentucky and features signage of the various country music singers, songwriters, and musicians that were raised there. The highway began thanks to Representative Hubert Collins with a bill introduced on March 1, 1994. It would later be recognized as a National Scenic Byway in June 2002. The highway runs 144 miles through Kentucky.

Those featured on the highway currently include Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tom T. Hall, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Crystal Gayle, Gary Stewart, and more. Music fans can take a trip to Butcher Holler, or see a show at one of the many entertainment venues along the way.

Chris Stapleton's success has been rewarded in multiple ways within the last few months. Stapleton was honored at the CMA Awards for Best Album, Best Male Vocalist, and Best New Artist. He is up for multiple Grammy Awards. He will be on Saturday Night Live on January 16th as one of their musical guests. He also played for over 150,000 during Nashville's New Year's Eve concert.

Chris Stapleton announces two Kentucky concerts

East Kentucky native, Chris Stapleton has announced two shows that Kentuckians will be happy to attend.  Be sure to grab tickets before they sell out fast!

July 10 and 11th, Chris Stapleton will perform at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg.  Tickets are available now for purchase at the Mountain Arts Center, or by clicking here.

Then on July 25th, he will be performing at the Paramount Arts Center in Ashland.  Tickets are on sale now and available at the Paramount Arts Center, or by clicking here.

If you haven't already, be sure to grab Chris Stapleton's new album, Traveler.  Click the album cover below to purchase.

Kentucky native Kelsie May on The Voice

If you are keeping up with the television show, The Voice, you will notice Kelsie May of Louisa, Kentucky, is featured on Team Blake (Blake Shelton).  Last night, during the Battle Rounds, Kelsie competed against Brenna Yaeger as they performed Reba McEntire's hit song, "Fancy."  I will honesty say that I dig Kelsie's east Kentucky mountain soul vocals.  I do believe that whether she goes far or not in this competition, she has got the ears of this listener of her music.  Be sure to follow her over on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kelsiemay.  Stay tune as we keep up with this great talent from here in Kentucky!

Chris Stapleton debuts new song, Traveller

I will admit that I am a big fan of Chris Stapleton.  I was fortunate to meet and interview him back a couple of years ago when he performed at the World Chicken Festival here in my hometown of London, Kentucky.  The record company has sat on his material for a while.  Thankfully, a new album will be released in May and he is on tour with Little Big Town and later with Eric Church.

His latest single, "Traveller," is one that is pleasant for the ears.  From the acoustic guitar to the wail of the steel guitar, there is that pure country sound born in the heart of East Kentucky.

Get more info on Chris Stapleton by visiting his website over at www.chrisstapleton.com.  You can read my interview with him from a couple of years ago here.

Be sure to check out Kentucky Country Music on Facebook.

A Place Called Home

When someone asks, "Where are you from?" you often reply with a sense of pride and enthusiasm of your home.  Even when I lived in Lexington and Versailles, I always said, "London is my hometown."

I would also add, "London, as in Kentucky, not England.  We are known for the World Chicken Festival, some of the kindest folks, beautiful outdoors, and some great traditions from Friday night lights of high school football to sitting on the front porch to waving whenever you see someone coming towards you in their vehicle."

Many know about Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, and others, but few know about Slaughter, Beauty, Knob Lick, Sandy Hook, or Butcher Holler.  These are the places that Chris Knight, Angaleena Presley, the Kentucky Headhunters, Keith Whitley, Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gayle all call home.

Where you are from defines who you are.  Your attitude, personality, and views of life come from that place in your hear that you call home.  You build up your roots of the road that you will go on a journey in life.  Thus, my new logo contains a tree rooted in southeast part of the state and branching out.  The swirls could easily represent a vinyl record, the spool of tape from a cassette, or a cd....or perhaps that you take a piece of music and curl up next to it as it affects you in some form or another.

So no matter where your road leads, there is always a place to call home.  Now grab a road atlas and see if you can locate those towns I just mentioned of some fine Kentucky country music singers.

Catching up with Loretta Lynn

One of my favorite Kentucky country music singers, Loretta Lynn, has been a little bit all over with the news media here lately.  The native of Butcher Holler has been featured in quite a few interviews in national publications.  She was also featured on AXS TV's "The Big Interview" with Dan Rather.  I was blessed to have seen Loretta Lynn on the front row at Renfro Valley not too long ago.  It was an absolute delight.

Nashville Scene interviewed Loretta Lynn - check out the interview here.  We find out that she is working on her newest album with Shawn Camp, who has made a name for himself as a singer and songwriter in the Nashville Community.  Tradition is a strong keyword when it comes to his musical style.

"I think there were girl singers out there that could out-sing me," she says, "but they didn't want to work for it. I'm glad that I had to work for it, and I did work hard. If it would've come easy, I wouldn't have been as happy. I'm glad that I went for years without a band. I'm glad that I had to ride in the back of a car from one place to the other. If I had to sleep, I slept sitting up. I'm glad I had to work hard to do it. Them that runs out and gets a bus after one record, they'll never stay. It'll be one or two songs and that'll be over, and I'm glad it ain't me." - Loretta Lynn to Nashville Scene

My buddy, Chuck Dauphin, with Billboard Magazine got to interview Loretta Lynn as well.  Be sure to check out his interview here.

"I never dreamed that I would be good enough to sing a song that people would like. Daddy would come out on the front porch while I was swinging the babies and getting them to sleep and say, 'Loretta, hush your mouth. You can hear you all over Butcher Hollow.' One day I looked at him and said, 'Daddy, what difference does it make? They're all my cousins.' He almost whipped me, but he didn't." - Loretta Lynn to Billboard

You can catch Loretta Lynn on The Big Interview on AXS TV on Thur 9/11/2014 at 7:00 PM

and Sun 9/14/2014 at 12:30 PM.  Come Monday, 9/15, they will be featuring Jack White who helped produced one of Loretta's records.

"I think that I've made enough noise that there ain't nobody gonna forget me for awhile." - Loretta Lynn to Dan Rather 

Crockettsville Charity Concert & Trail Ride Celebrates Seven Years & Over $725,000 Raised

Personal note: I have attended this wonderful event here in eastern Kentucky several times.  It is a wonderful family friendly event and just an overall good time.  The Buckhorn Children and Family Services Charity are an excellent group that help our youth.  I encourage you to attend if you can. 

Over the past six years, the Crockettsville Charity Concert & Trail Ride has raised over $725,000. The majority of the funds have gone to the Buckhorn Children and Family Services Charity, a private, non-profit organization that provides residential care and treatment of troubled youths and their families on campuses in Eastern Ky. The remaining funds have been allocated to various music scholarships and used to provide instruments to schools in need. Now in its seventh year, the annual event, to be held Sept. 5-7 on Crockettsville's Abner Farm, will feature an all-star concert, with performances by charity founders Chad Warrix and David Tolliver, known as Halfway to Hazard, Chris Young, Bucky Covington and Ray Scott, with more artist announcements coming soon, and a 42-mile ATV trail ride. Storme Warren of GAC’s Headline Country and SIRIUSXM’s The Highway returns as host of the event. Additionally, on Saturday, ticket holders will be treated to exhibitions by the Monster Energy Freestyle Motocross Team and will be given access to a mud bog, food and merchandise vendors, a kids’ area, the silent auction and more. On Friday, Sept. 5, Halfway to Hazard, along with many of the artists involved with the event, will visit three Ky., schools to host a program and gift their music programs over $10,000 worth of instruments. The concert and motocross event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, followed by the ATV trail ride on Sunday, Sept. 7.  Tickets are available onsite for $10 per person, with all proceeds going to benefit Kentucky charities.  Camping is available for the weekend for $50 and slots are first come, first serve. Ride registration begins at 7am on Sunday.  For more info on the 2014 Crockettsville Charity Concert & Trail Ride, please visit www.Crockettsville.com or contact Josh Bleidt at 502-457-7415. For more info on Buckhorn Children & Family Services, visit www.buckhorn.org or call 800-472-3678.

Angaleena Presley releases new lyric video for Ain't No Man

When it comes to Kentucky musicians, I am a cheerleader for them for success.  Deep in the pockets among the mountains of east Kentucky comes the soul and sounds of music.  One of the exports is Angaleena Presley, of Beauty, Kentucky.  She is the daughter of a coal miner, a wonderful singer, and a songwriter that has written some great compositions.  Needless to say, I'm a fan.

Angaleena Presley just released a really creative hands-on lyrical video of her new song, "Ain't No Man."  You will have to check it out.  I love the old country groove that you could easily turn on the ole vinyl record player and hear this song playing over the static.

I can't for her album to be released October 14, 2014.  Be sure to check out her wonderful website over at www.angaleenapresley.com.

Lyrics to Ain't No Man by Angaleena Presley

She's smooth as a gravel on a roadside creek bank

Sweet as a flower on a knotty pine casket

She's hot as the fire on the end of a cigarette

Rich as a church's Wednesday night basket

And there ain't no man who can get his head around it

She's sharp as the blade of a mountain man's knife

Sour as an apple in a homemade pie

Mean as a snake in a small town zoo

Ain't nobody that could ever get to her heart

She's bright as the moon on a hungover morning

Clean as the mouth of a welfare baby

She's slick as the leather on a cowgirl's holster

Quick as the tongue of a Johnny come lately

And there ain't no man ever gonna win that lady

She's pure as the water in a golf course pond

Safe as a tiger with a fifty dollar bond

She's deep as the sole of a worn out shoe

Ain't nobody that could fall into her arms

Proud as a loser in a locker room

Sober as a drink of homemade wine

Sturdy as a trailer in a hurricane

Sweet as the smell of turpentine

She's real as a movie with a happy ending

Fickle as a bulb on a dashboard light

She's pretty as snow on Easter Sunday

Silly as a girl who can't make up her mind

And there ain't no man who can look her in the eye

She's sad as the smile on a birthday clown

Busy as a saddle in a one horse town

Straight as a picture on a blind man's wall

Ain't nobody that could make her fall apart

Kentucky Meets Texas: Angaleena Presley and Sunny Sweeney

This week two exciting piece of album release news was released.  Even more so, both are of two female country music singers that are my favorite modern day singers to listen to.  They are east Kentucky native, Angaleena Presley, and east Texas native Sunny Sweeney.  

Sunny Sweeney is scheduled to release her third release, "Provoked," on August 5th.  Several of the songs I have heard over the years performed live.  However, one track that was originally set to be on the album but was cut is "Dirty Laundry."  Hopefully one day that song and "Unholy Trinity" will be released.  The second song is one that brought me down to tears one night while she sang it alongside Erin Enderlin and Tony Lane down at Puckett's in Franklin, TN many moons ago.  I won't say what songs, but there have been several that made me go "yep, I need to get out of my marriage and file for divorce...." and yes I got out and have been happily divorced for several years now.  

Sunny Sweeney Track Listing for Provoked includes

1. You Don't Know Your Husband (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Mark D. Sanders)

2. Bad Girl Phase (Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillon/Shannon Wright)

3. Second Guessing (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

4. Carolina on the Line (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Lance Miller)

5. Find Me (Sunny Sweeney/Buddy Owens/Jay Clementi)

6. Can't Let Go (Randy Weeks)

7. Front Row Seats (Sunny Sweeney/Lance Miller/Brett Warren/Brad Warren)

8. My Bed (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Ashley Monroe)

9. Uninvited (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

10. Sunday Dress (Sunny Sweeney/Monty Holmes/Buddy Owens)

11. Used Cars (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

12. Backhanded Compliment (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)

13. Everybody Else Can Kiss My Ass (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Beavers/Connie Harrington)  

You will noticed that Angaleena Presley is a cowriter on a few tunes on Sunny Sweeney's album.  Well I'm happy to say that she is releasing her own album on October 14th.  It is called "American Middle Class."  Be on the lookout for fellow Kentucky natives Chris Stapleton and Patty Loveless to appear on the album.

Angaleena Presley Track Listing for American Middle Class

1. Ain't No Man (Angaleena Presley)

2. All I Ever Wanted (Angaleena Presley)

3. Grocery Store (Angaleena Presley & Lori McKenna)

4. American Middle Class (Angaleena Presley)

5. Dry County Blues (Angaleena Presley & Mark D. Sanders)

6. Pain Pills (Angaleena Presley)

7. Life of the Party (Angaleena Presley & Matraca Berg)

8. Knocked Up(Angaleena Presley & Mark D. Sanders)

9. Better Off Red (Angaleena Presley)

10. Drunk (Angaleena Presley & Sarah Siskind)

11. Blessing and a Curse (Angaleena Presley & Bob DiPiero)

12. Surrender (Angaleena Presley, Luke Laird, & Barry Dean)

I always said that Sunny Sweeney and Angaleena Presley need to go on tour sometime.  Perhaps this would be the perfect time.  It would definitely showcase what real country music is all about from a female perspective that is retrofitted back to the days of Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, etc.

Josh Osborne added to US 23 Country Music Highway

Black River Publishing’s GRAMMY-winning songwriter Josh Osborne was honored in his hometown this week in celebration of the joint resolution passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate adding the Kentucky native’s name to the US 23 Country Music Highway in Pike County. The home state honor was hosted on Wednesday by the Highway District 12 of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and occurred as Josh has four singles are almost entirely in the Top 20 on the country music chart.

“This was truly an honor for us,” shared State Rep. Leslie Combs. “To be able to do this in honor of Josh, and what he has accomplished, is a tremendous honor for us and one of the greatest ones we’ve had.”

During the official ceremony at Shelby Valley High School, Pike County Judge/Executive Wayne T. Rutherford honored the alumnus with an additional presentation. 

“Where we go and what we do around this country, we are ambassadors of where we come from,” stated Pike County Judge Rutherford. “Before I left the office today, I signed an executive order declaring this [June 11] as “Josh Osborne Day, Pike County Kentucky.”

“Growing up on Country Music Highway, knowing how much all those artists have influenced and inspired me, and now to think that I am even a small part of that heritage means the world to me,” shared Josh. “I honestly don't think any honor could mean more to me.”

Upon accepting these great honors, an emotional Osborne stated, “When something like this happens, and you reach a milestone, you kind of think. ‘How did I get here?’ I look around the room, and I know how I got here, so I thank all of you.”

Among the hometown crowd was Black River Entertainment’s CEO, Gordon S. Kerr; VP of Black River Publishing, Celia Froehlig; and other staff members. Also in attendance at the official ceremony was GRAMMY award winner and 2014 ACM Songwriter of the Year, Shane McAnally (Downtown, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye) and ACM, CMA and GRAMMY nominated songwriter Brandy Clark (Better Dig Two, Mama's Broken Heart). Both close friends and co-writers of Osborne, the two of them joined Josh at the Hilton Garden Inn that evening to perform a songwriter’s round sponsored by Johnson Industries, benefiting The Pike County Schools’ K.I.D.S. initiative.

The home state honor comes on the heels of Josh’s astonishing eight weeks of having five singles in the top 30 on the country music chart. Currently, Josh’s singles include Blake Shelton’s "My Eyes," closely followed by "We Are Tonight," Billy Currington; "Chainsaw," The Band Perry; and Eli Young Band's, "Dust."

Songs written or co-written by Josh Osborne
Around For a Reason - Jason Greeley
Bad Habit - Sarah Darling
Born That Way - Jason Greeley
Break What's Broken - Charlie Worsham
Chainsaw - The Band Perry
Come Over - Kenny Chesney
Drunk Last Night - Eli Young Band
Dust - Eli Young Band
Feel Good Summer Song - Scotty McCreery
Fill In the Blank - Greg Bates
Fuzzy - Randy Rogers Band
Get a Life - Jason Greeley
Hold You To It - Chris Young
It's Your World - Tim McGraw
Keep It To Yourself - Kacey Musgraves
Leave the Night On - Sam Hunt
Live Our Lives - Jason Greeley
Merry Go Round - Kacey Musgraves
My Eyes - Blake Shelton
Neon - Chris Young
Runnin' Out of Air - Love & Theft
Text Me Texas - Chris Young
The Boy Never Stays - Sarah Darling
Tie It Up - Kelly Clarkson
Usually - Jason Greeley
Wake Up Lovin' You - Craig Morgan
We Are Tonight - Billy Currington
You Never Know - Sara Evans

Like what you read? Be sure to check me out on Facebook & Twitter.

Country Music Highway Road to Fame introduced by Kentucky Governor

Kentucky musician Tom T. Hall - photo by Jessica Blankenship

Sometimes it is in their blood, but not everyone is destined to be a country music legend. For those from Eastern Kentucky, there is a lot of history and country music legends that call Kentucky home. Traditions and songs have been passed on through generations. However, so many schools are facing tighter budgets that sometimes eliminate music programs.

Today, Governor Steve Beshear, along with Olive Hill native, Tom T. Hall, introduced the Country Music Highway Road to Fame Arts Education Fund. The nonprofit organization formed in conjunction with the Road to Fame, a yearlong program to find and showcase new and emerging talent along the Country Music Highway. The Fund's aim is to provide financial and educational support to music and arts programs in area schools. The fund will be administered via the Bluegrass Community Foundation. This program will help music education in schools without using a single dollar of taxpayers' money in Kentucky.

The Country Music Highway Road to Fame Arts Education Fund will help Kentucky students learn how music can bring joy to their lives. The Road to Fame contest will be looking for the next superstar from the same region that brought Loretta Lynn,Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Dwight Yoakam, The Judds, Patty Loveless, and Keith Whitley.

The “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” competition, set to begin in mid-March, will tap Eastern Kentucky’s musical roots to find the next generation of talent. The winner of the 2012 “Road to Fame” competition will receive a scholarship to participate in career development and coaching under the direction of PCG Nashville valued at $25,000, an acoustic guitar and a plaque recognizing their achievement. The contest will be open to aspiring artists 13-35 years of age from the 15 counties that border the Country Music Highway (US Route 23). Those counties include Letcher, Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Boyd, Greenup, Harlan, Petty, Knott, Magoffin, Morgan, Elliott, Carter, and Lewis. Details of the contest will be released on the “Country Music Highway Road to Fame” website. Potential contestants and interested parties should visit www.cmhroadtofame.com and register to receive announcements as they are made.

“I’m really excited about the competition because it will show that some of the best talent can be found in the hills of Eastern Kentucky,” said Country Music Hall of Fame Member Tom T. Hall about the talent residing in his home area of Kentucky.

“The Country Music Highway means so much to me. I grew up in that special part of Kentucky, as did so many of my friends who have also been fortunate enough to find careers in country music. And now the Country Music Highway folks have launched a great project they’re calling “The Road to Fame,” said Naomi Judd in an earlier statement. “Keeping music alive on stage and in schools is close to my heart. I encourage everyone to get behind this project. Please join me in supporting the “Road to Fame” and the difference it will make in the lives of our friends and neighbors.”

These initiatives announced today are already receiving support from corporate sponsors. The first to come on board are the Gibson Foundation, Crawdad’s Classics Gourmet Flavorings, PCG Nashville, Vietti Chili, Fairway Outdoor Advertising, TourSEKY, and Ray, Foley and Hensley Accounting.

For more information, contact: www.cmhroadtofame.com