2016 Kentucky Holiday Gift Guide

Each year as we grow older, it seems like we have a hard time with finding that perfect gift for loved ones, coworkers, and friends.  Hopefully with our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide, you will be able to find the perfect gift.  We strive to seek out locally made products from here in Kentucky, with a couple of exceptions.  Please feel free to let us know any stores or items that you would recommend for your loved ones.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL GIFT GUIDE IN PDF FORMAT

Kentucky sweetheart Kelsey Waldon is set to release new album

Check out Kelsey Waldon's new album "I've Got a Way"

There is a rumble down in Nashville with an uprising of the true sounds of country music.  Surprisingly, females such as Lindi Ortega and Margo Price have been getting noticed for bringing the reminiscent sounds of traditional country music.  Hailing from Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky, Kelsey Waldon has been making a name for herself alongside those trying to garner the attention of music fans.

Come August 12, 2016, Kelsey Waldon will be releasing her album, "I've Got a Way."  From the looks and sounds of the first single, "All By Myself," music fans are in for a treat.  The first single contains a haunting steel guitar filling the air as Waldon sings with purity from the hills of Kentucky.

Kentucky is known for its country music and Kelsey Waldon is one to definitely keep an eye out for.  She will be performing in Lexington at Willy's Locally Known on August 21st.

According to her website, how does Waldon turn those inspirations into the country music that is so much a part of her? “Lay it all out, and sing it from the heart, way down deep,” she says. “If you do it that way, you don’t need gimmicks.”

Stay tune as I feel like there will be even more wonderful adventures and music coming from the heart from Kelsey Waldon!

Check out more on Kelsey Waldon via her website and Facebook pages. Download "All By Myself" off I-tunes by clicking here.

Ameripolitan Music Awards announce nominees

The Ameripolitan Music Awards acknowledges those Ameripolitan artists whose music honors tradition while demonstrating exceptional originality, creativity, and musicianship. Through their work, Ameripolitan music is now being defined. The Awards also acknowledge Ameripolitan DJs and venues that promote these artists and their music along with honoring a living legend who has kept the tradition alive through their music and perseverance.

Ameripolitan is a new music genre with prominent roots influence. It is broken into four related subcategories: Honky Tonk, Western Swing, Rockabilly and Outlaw. Artists and bands can fall into one or more of these categories. Musical and lyrical creativity is critical but to be considered Ameripolitan music, it must retain some of these traditional elements as well.

Fans will have 2 ways to vote - via the Ameripolitan 2016 App on iOS and Android devices, as well as online voting.  With the App, fans can watch and listen to 30 second sample videos and mp3s for each nominee, hear a message from Ameripolitan founder Dale Watson, place their vote and more.  Online voting will start on November 26th. Voting will conclude on December 26, 2015.  

Fans may vote in the following categories: Honky Tonk – Female, Male, Group; Western Swing – Female, Male, Group; Rockabilly – Female, Male, Group; Outlaw – Female, Male, Group; Ameripolitan DJ; Ameripolitan Venue; Ameripolitan Festival; and Ameripolitan Musician. 

Winners will be announced live at Austin’s historic Paramount Theatre during the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 8 p.m., with music legend and past Ameripolitan winner Ray Benson as host.  Tickets to the 3rd Annual Ameripolitan Awards are available at www.austintheatre.org.  

More info can be found at www.ameripolitan.com.

And the nominees are....

HONKY TONK CATEGORIES
Honky Tonk Group
Casey James Prestwood and the Burning Angels
The Country Side of Harmonica Sam
The Starline Rhythm Boys
Jeff Woolsey and the Dancehall Kings
JP Harris and the Tough Choices

Honky Tonk Female
Miss Leslie
Kelsey Waldon
Margo Price
Brennen Leigh
Tara Dunphy

Honk Tonk Male
Jake Penrod
Charlie Thompson
Cale Tyson
Mike Dart
Jason James

WESTERN SWING CATEGORIES
Western Swing Group
Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition
JP Cyr & His Radio Wranglers
Hot Texas Swing Band
Carolyn Sills
Western Swing Authority

Western Swing Female
Carolyn Martin
Kristyn Harris
Mikki Daniel
Stacey Lee Guse
Katie Glassman

Western Swing Male
Jason Roberts
Billy Mata
Doug Moreland
Kelly Spinks
Coby Carter

ROCKABILLY CATEGORIES
Rockabilly Group
The Neon Stars
The Bellfuries
Don Diego Trio
The B-Stars
Nathan Belt & The Buckles

Rockabilly Female
Marti Brom
Sara Dee
Emmy Lou
Lara Hope
BaileyDee

Rockabilly Male
Jinx Jones
Chris Casello
Wayne Hancock
Scotty Baker
Paul Pigat

OUTLAW CATEGORIES
Outlaw Group
The Hillbilly Casino
Dallas Moore Band
The Ponderosa Aces
Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Eric Strickland and the B-Sides

Outlaw Female
Darci Carlson
Rachel Brooke
Bonnie Montgomery
Tommy Ash
Jesse Lafser

Outlaw Male
Whitey Morgan
Roger Alan Wade
Cash O'Riley
Scott Biram
Bloodshot Bill

VENUE
Icehouse Theater, Selma NC
Luckenbach, Luckenbach TX
Sportsmen's Tavern, Buffalo NY
Lil' Red's Longhorn Saloon, Fort Worth TX
Knuckleheads, Kansas City MO
The White Horse, Austin TX
Skinny Dennis, Brooklyn NY
The Thirsty Beaver Saloon, Charlotte NC
The Nashville Palace, Nashville TN
Don the Beachcomber, Huntington Beach CA

FESTIVAL
Bristol Rhythm and Roots
Viva Las Vegas
Nashville Boogie
San Angelo Cowboy Gathering
New England Shake Up

DJ
Woody Adkins, KOPN 89.5 FM Columbia MO
Justin Trevino, KEQX 89.7 FM Dublin TX
Gordon “Big G” Ames KERV 1230 Kerrville, TX
Timothy Benton, KSVY 91.3 FM Sonoma Valley, CA
Johnny Knoxville and Roger Alan Wade Outlaw Country, Sirius/XM Radio
James Riley SURF 97.3 FM Flager Beach FL
Eddie White, 2RRR 88.5 FM Sydney Australia
Ted Branson, KOOP 91.7FM Austin, TX
Elizabeth Cook, Outlaw Country, Sirius/XM Radio
"Cousin" Lynn Joiner, WHRB 95.3 FM, Cambridge, MA

MUSICIAN
Joel Paterson
Chris Casello
Jason Roberts
Paul Pigat
Redd Volkaert
Tjarko Jeen
Rose Sinclair
Richard Helsley
Floyd Domino
Lisa Pankratz
Earl "Pool" Ball
Jim Loessberg
Chris Scruggs
Bobby Trimble
Dave Biller

A look back on the 2014 Kentucky country music scene

Sturgill Simpson - Photo by Rick Diamond

In 2014, the Kentucky music scene has had quite a few success stories. As a whole, our music has been featured on David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, The Tonight Show, the Grand Ole Opry, and many points in between. As a Kentuckian, music fans have to say that they are proud of the musicians that represent our state in a manner that signifies the beauty of life in Kentucky.

Chris Stapleton has had quite a few songs cut by other artists, including Luke Bryan who cut "Drink a Beer." Stapleton has been featured on quite a few background vocals in various songs. We are all hoping that he will release his new album sometime in the near future. Be sure to check him out live in concert. He and his wife are unbelievably talented.

Angaleena Presley released her solo album debut, "American Middle Class," this fall. It bleeds Kentucky and southern charm. She was featured on David Letterman, as well as Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. Many critics have praised her work. Fellow Kentuckians Patty Loveless and Chris Stapleton appear on the album as well. Go buy it today.

Sundy Best is another product of far eastern Kentucky that has gained national attention. They have played on the Grand Ole Opry several times and have gained new fans over the year. They have released a couple of albums. I highly recommend listening to their song "Home."

One musician that has garnered the attention of multiple outlets has been Sturgill Simpson. Oddly I saw him play for about 30 people at Zanzabar in Louisville this past April. A couple of months later, he's working up festivals and headlining his own tour, selling out places. NPR, New York Times, and many other publications praised his work. Sturgill would go on and appear on multiple late night tv shows. He also won an award with the Americana Music Association and is up for a Grammy. He is proof that the music listener yearns for that traditional country music sound.

Kelsey Waldon of western Kentucky has gained momentum with her latest release, "The Goldmine." Her song "High in Heels" struck a chord with the brutal honest lyrics. She has appeared on Music City Roots in Nashville and is making a name for herself in Nashville.

Fifth on the Floor has been very busy being road warriors. One of the highlights was opening for George Thorogood for select sold-out shows. They recently released their album "& After" providing a different sound than the rowdy bar room sound that fans are use to. Stay tuned for my interview with lead singer, Justin Wells, on the album and upcoming shows.

A few other notable figures in the Kentucky country music scene that you should take note of include George Molton, Rayna & Ramsey, Jamie Tingle, Larry Williams, Gordon Crowe, John McHugh, and J.D. Shelburne. Each has been gaining momentum while playing venues across Kentucky.

It will be interesting to see what 2015 has in store for music from Kentucky. There is quite a bit of talent within our bluegrass state. Support your local music scene and check out these acts live.