Welcome Home. Day One At Kickin’ It On The Creek
Kickin’ It On The Creek (KIOTC) is the music festival that you never knew you needed to attend. Now you may ask, “What are you talking about? It can’t be any different than every other music festival.” That’s where you’re wrong and if you choose to believe that and close this article now, it is 100% your loss.
Now don’t get me wrong here as we get started, large festivals have an importance and they serve their purpose well, but with these articles, I want to show you that what I say is the Gospel truth. I’ve covered festivals of all sizes and I assure you with everything in me that there is no equivalent to KIOTC.
Things like overpriced food, overpriced drinks, camping fees, large crowds where you stay sweaty and you’re not even entirely sure if it’s even your own sweat, long walking distances, expensive parking and so on…those things don’t exist at Kickin’ It On Creek.
Literally everything, outside of Mother Nature, that you can find wrong with a festival, is non-existent at Kickin’ It. Why is that? The answer is simple, Kickin’ It On The Creek is about the music, the community, the fellowship, and not the bottom line.
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Do’s, Don’ts And Must-See Artists At Kickin’ It On The Creek
Last year, we were invited to cover Kickin’ It On The Creek. It’s an event that is flat-out magical. For a music junkie like myself, Kickin’ It is our Disney World. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Little Ross Creek is the home of the Roberts family.
Over the last five years, every September, the Roberts farm transforms into the heart and soul of the thriving Kentucky music community. With a stage in the front yard, the acreage welcomes roughly 1500 fans and artists.
Kickin’ It On The Creek sold-out this year without even announcing the lineup. Read that again, Kickin’ It On The Creek sold-out this year without even announcing the lineup. Kickin’ It started as a birthday party for Kenton Roberts. It grew into something legendary. KIOTC can also lay claim to helping Tyler Childers chase his career and who knows who else will rise from this event. (more…)
And They’re Off! The Inaugural Railbird Festival At Keeneland
Lexington, Kentucky has never seen anything like the inaugural Railbird Festival. Over the last few decades, Lexington has had some great success in cultivating talent that goes on to become household names. What Lexington has not had, is a true destination festival. Unlike Louisville that hosts the Forecastle Festival and several Danny Wimmer Productions. That all changed when AC Entertainment (Promoters of Forecastle and Bonnaroo) partnered up with Keeneland.
Let’s be honest, horses and bourbon are what most folks associate with Kentucky. Music though, isn’t too far behind in terms of exports. Kentucky has produced artists like John Michael Montgomery, Montgomery Gentry, Sundy Best, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, and of course our newest favorite son in Tyler Childers. Who happened to be one of the headliners at Railbird.
So where else could a classy festival that shines a light on horses, bourbon and music? My answer as a Kentuckian, is nowhere. Keeneland is the ultimate location that has plenty of room to grow with this festival.
Having said all that, we’re incredibly honored that we were given the opportunity to cover this festival and put our own little spin on the who, what and why Railbird is hopefully here to stay.
Top 15 Performances We’re Looking Forward To At Master Musicians Festival In Somerset!
I’ve been blessed to be able to work with Master Musicians Festival. I was given the honor to be their staff photographer this year by Tiffany Finley. Many of you know Tiffany, but for those that don’t, she is the President of Master Musicians Festival. She is also an avid supporter of local music and all things Kentucky.
What makes Master Musicians Festival (MMF) so unique? The Festival is ran by ALL volunteers. That’s right. ALL volunteers. From the local roller derby tending bar, high school football teams setting up and tearing down the stages, marching bands providing golf cart rides to folks like the Don Franklin family of dealerships putting up sponsorship money, Somerset comes together and shows everyone else how it should be done.
With that army of volunteers, MMF has an economic impact of 3 million dollars. That’s absolutely incredible and astonishes me even after typing it.
This will be the 26th year that MMF has taken place and they handpick the artists. So since I’ll be there this year, I thought it would be fun to put together a top 15 list of performances that You should definitely try and take in.
There are a few tickets still left, so pick up your tickets here and enjoy the show.
Cinder & Smoke Fest! We Went To Jackson And It Was Hotter Than A Pepper Sprout!
The Cinder & Smoke Fest is our baby here at Capture Kentucky. It was an idea that was born as an opportunity to showcase some of the great artists that we feature here. A way to bring our articles to life, if you will. Last year, it was held in Lexington at Proud Mary BBQ. We had a great first year and we loved the location, the people, the food and everything about Proud Mary. The decision to move Cinder & Smoke was made to allow us the freedom to move to a ticketed event, as Proud Mary BBQ prefers to simply have an open door policy.
Enter Shawn & Crystal Hatcher. They were the gracious hosts for the 2019 version of the Cinder & Smoke Fest. They own Thatcher’s Downtown, a very cool restaurant in Jackson, Kentucky. Thatcher’s isn’t your normal little hometown restaurant. They serve breakfast, often have doughnuts, coffee, beer and barbeque. They also host live music and have been very supportive in providing a venue and wanting to grow their restaurant, as well as a music scene in their hometown. So the decision to move Cinder & Smoke to Jackson was made much easier. (more…)
10 Songs To Look Forward To At Cinder & Smoke!
Our Cinder & Smoke Fest happens this Saturday, June 22nd. Capture Kentucky and Thatcher’s Downtown worked together to create a diverse lineup of artists that we each believe in.
We feel that we did that and then some. We assembled one of the best lineups you’ll see all Summer and it will be awesome from top to bottom. We have T.A. Clayton & The Soulminers, Rhyan Sinclair, Eric Bolander, Chelsea Nolan, Short & Company, Laid Back Country Picker, Magnolia Boulevard and Arlo McKinley & the Lonesome Sound.
That’s one stacked lineup and tickets are a mere $15 in advance or $20 at the door. (You can buy them here.) From 12:30 PM-10 PM we’re gonna be rocking Jackson’s socks off!! (more…)
Music Rules! Our Recap Of The Music Rules Fest At The Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre
The Music Rules Fest is a partnership between the Mountain Arts Center and Capture Kentucky. It is an event that I am incredibly proud of and that’s exactly why this article has been so difficult for me to write.
The City of Prestonsburg now has control of the Jenny Wiley Amphitheatre, which is located in the gorgeous Jenny Wiley State Park. They have allowed the Mountain Arts Center to run the venue as a sister venue to the 1044 seated theatre at the MAC.
The city has begun a remodel of the venue and there are plans to further improve the amphitheater. Restoring it to it’s once prominent place in the community.
The Music Rules Fest was developed to be a genre-less music festival that promises good music for good people. A simple concept that we felt could grow and become a tradition while growing into a Kentucky destination music festival. (more…)
First Listen: Joslyn & The Sweet Compression Drop Their Self-Titled Debut Album
Joslyn & The Sweet Compression are unlike any other band that Kentucky has to offer. Their distinct sound traces it’s roots back to the classic funk and soul records that took the world by storm, reminiscent of the sounds of Motown. Conjuring visions of ladies like Jill Scott, Chaka Khan and the one and only Aretha Franklin. Here at Capture Kentucky, we refer to vocalist Joslyn Hampton as the “Queen of Kentucky” and once you hear the range, power and vocal control this young lady possesses, I think you’ll agree.
The Sweet Compression are led by guitarist Marty Charters. Marty toured with the wonderful and legendary bluesman Junior Wells for many years, as well as with Cincinnati’s H-Bomb Ferguson. Once Marty began looking to create a new project, he didn’t have to look far for the voice he wanted. Marty also happens to be the Stepfather of Joslyn Hampton. After collaborating to write some songs, they quickly found themselves needing to round out the band. Steve Holloman holds down the keys and some harmonies, while drummer Rashawn Fleming mans the kit. He’s accompanied by bassist Smith Donaldson and the horns of Joe Carucci and Kyle Fox. (more…)
Help Our Veterans At The First Annual Ride For The Heroes In Lexington On May 18th!
Some folks never have the opportunity to have someone come into their life that leaves a huge impact. For Kathy Garrison, that person is Larry McCoy. Larry and Kathy have similar hearts and their work in aiding those in need brought them together. Mr. McCoy works with our veteran’s at the Hope Center in Lexington, Kentucky. A position he has held for many years. Kathy has spent many years helping those that fight the uphill battle of addictions. Their paths crossed and Larry showed Kathy how addiction affects many veterans.
This was a moment of clarity for Kathy. Her Father was a veteran, as is her brother, who served in the Marines and she will happily tell you that he is her hero. The issues the veterans were facing certainly hit close to home for Kathy and she approached Larry with an idea to help those in need, as well as a way to honor her father. Who unfortunately passed away in August 2015.
Seeing the many needs that the veteran’s wing at the Hope Center has Kathy approached Larry with an idea. An idea that she has now spent the last seven months shaping. The idea at its core is simple, a motorcycle ride where all of the proceeds will go to the veteran’s wing of the Hope Center, as well as the Wounded Warriors Project.
“Ride For The Heroes” looks to help address the multitude of supplies that are needed at the veteran’s wing of the Hope Center. Things like clothing, food, shelter, personal hygiene products, and so on. There are really just too many items to list.
So how do you get involved? (more…)
New Music Alert! Jericho Woods Drops ‘One Perfect Sound’ On May 3rd!
If you’re a reader of this site, you already know the magical sounds that Jericho Woods create. They headlined our first Cinder & Smoke Fest last year, and they were also part of the Kentucky Takeover show in Nashville earlier this year.
We’re big fans of the members of the band, it just so happens that they also create fantastic music while representing our great Commonwealth.
‘One Perfect Sound’ contains ten brand new songs. You’ll find yourself submerged in an audible landscape that’s painted by the wonderful melodies and harmonies. You’ll take the trip with stops at love songs gone wrong, songs that celebrate love, songs that transport you to the beach, songs that feature Spanish style guitars and everything in between.
With ‘One Perfect Sound,’ Jericho Woods delivers the perfect balance of country music that’s marinated in a little Southern Rock ‘n’ Roll, seasoned with a dab of bluegrass, topped off with a little mop sauce and washed down with a cold Ale-8.
The results are sure to appease Country Traditionalists, but it’s also modern enough to fit in with the rest of Music Row. Highlights include “Wrong Things Right Reason”, my personal favorite in “Love The Way You Love Me”, “Song Like This”, “Monday Morning Cigarette”, “Miss Devine”, “Tennessee”, and of course the title track, “One Perfect Sound.”
Here’s the deal though, if you like one Jericho Woods song, there’s a very high percentage that you’re going to like them all. Seriously. Check out “Love The Way You Love Me” and if you dig it, just buy it or if you must, stream it. It’s truly great!