Album Review: The Local Honeys Bring Kentucky To The World With Their Self-Titled Release On La Honda Records
Have you ever heard a song or artist that you immediately knew where they’re from and what to expect? It’s not all that common, but when it happens, I often find there’s an unusually deep connection with that song or artist moving forward. It’s like they allow you to know who they are immediately. There’s no digging around, trying to figure them out. What you see, or in this case, what you hear, is exactly what you get. It’s those artists that I find incredibly refreshing, and endearing.
The Local Honeys give you that immediate introduction. With their new self-titled release on La Honda Records, these two ladies have embodied the history, the people, the music, the dialect, the kindness, the love, and the beauty of what it means to be a Kentuckian. When you push play, you feel at home, immediately.
**Photo taken at my first Local Honeys show back in 2017**
That feeling was no accident. As the first two women to graduate from Morehead University with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Traditional Music Degree, Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs set a course to honor the traditional music that has been created here in Kentucky. As you’ll soon hear, that mission is accomplished, but with a twist. You can call this album a straight-up bluegrass album, but it’s much, much more. These ladies have struck a balance of traditional bluegrass that has an ever-expanding sound. You’ll hear banjo, fiddle, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, drums, an organ, and even a trumpet. Yes, you read that correctly, a trumpet.
Linda Jean and Montana have been on this trajectory for several years, and since their beginnings as a duo, one very important man has been a constant supporter, Professor Jesse Wells at Morehead University. There’s another reason that name may sound familiar, he’s also a member of The Foodstamps. The backing band of Mr. Tyler Childers. Jesse’s familiarity, knowledge, and unbelievable skill made him the perfect co-producer for this project. As a mentor, he’s almost an honorary Honey. His familiarity with The Honeys music and goals shine through like a mid-day’s Summer sun.
A Homecoming Like No Other. Kentuckians Sturgill Simpson And Tyler Childers Return For A Night That Rupp Arena Will Never Forget!
February 28th, 2020. A date that will be looked back upon as historians continue to tell the tales of both Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers. Time will determine which artist becomes more legendary, but make no mistakes, both will be Kentucky royalty for the foreseeable future.
While both artists have paved their own pathes to success, their names are often synonymous with each other. Is that fair? Only slightly. Sturgill Simpson did help produce both ‘Purgatory’ and ‘Country Squire’, but until this ‘Good Lookin’ Tour’, no one could ever say that these two Kentuckians rode one another’s coattails. (more…)
EPIC!! The Knight Pikeville Got Shook By Tyler Childers
After a successful show on Friday night, the time had come for me to cover the second night of the Pikeville trifecta. On a personal level, this show was the show that I wanted to see the most. Why? Because Chris Knight is a Kentucky legend that I have never had the opportunity to see live, let alone photograph.
Then you add in the firecracker that is Sarah Shook and the Disarmers, and that is one helluva way to enjoy your Saturday night. (more…)
Geminis, Creekers and Feathered Indians Mark Night One Of Three For Tyler Childers Triumphant Return Home
Being a Kentuckian from the Southeastern part of the state, is something that many folks like to look down upon. Hollywood loves stereotypes, but if Tyler Childers has his way, folks will soon understand just what an honor it really is to blessed to call the Appalachian Mountains our home.
Childers is often mentioned in conversations as being the next Willie Nelson or whoever someone likes to toss out there. I’m here to say, let Tyler be the first Tyler Childers. Now having said that, there is one aspect that I too will use as a comparison between Willie and Tyler. Willie does things his way and often times his tours are filled with musicians and family members and in that regard, Willie is the epitome of “A rising tide lifts all ships.” (more…)
You Wanted The Best And You’ve Got It! The Best Photos From Capture Kentucky: 2019 Edition!
We did it!! Another year on the books as 2019 a tremendous year for Capture Kentucky. We helped shed some light on many of the deserving Kentuckians that occupied many different stages. We took in shows in Colorado, Tennessee, and of course Kentucky. 2020 will have us checking off another bucket list item, so stay tuned for that one!
We’re truly lucky and blessed to have several of the best photographers around contribute to Capture Kentucky. Folks like Thomas R. Biggs, Estill Robinson, and Mike Howard are flat-out amazing and I can not tell you just how lucky we are to have them as contributors. We may tell some pretty good tales, but our bread and butter are our photos here. So, I truly hope you the last year of work, and we look forward to continuing our goal, which is shining a deserving spotlight onto Kentucky artists. AND to help break the stereotypes that Hollywood can kiss my butt for.
Enjoy!! (more…)
My Old Kentucky Home…In Denver. Tyler Childers Plays To A Sold-Out Crowd at Red Rocks
What if I told you that a young man by the name of Tyler Childers played to about thirty people at the Moonshiners Ball, just 2-1/2 years ago? Would you believe me? Well, ya should, because I was there.
That show was my first time seeing Tyler perform. He was all by himself, kicked back, sitting in a chair, singing away at a, if I remember correctly, 2pm set. He had on torn-up jeans, muddy boots and was wearing a “Hawaiian Shirt.”
I thought to myself, “Does this fella deserve the hype that my friends have heaped upon him?” Now I had listened to his first album, as well as a few soundboard recordings from live shows, but I was internally skeptical. All that skepticism was flushed away though as soon as the man opened his mouth.
Since then, Tyler has grown so quickly, that his new album, Country Squire, debuted at the number spot on the Billboard charts and earned him a spot on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. (more…)