The Trail
Kentucky
Is All Music
Beyond bluegrass and banjos, the Kentucky Music Trail acts as a bridge to myriad musicians and musical genres. Whether it’s Louisville alt rockers My Morning Jacket, or country icons The Judds, explore a rich heritage that stretches from the 1700s to today.
Centuries of Sound
The history of Kentucky music is as rich and diverse as the land that inspired it. Songs of 18th-century Appalachian settlers—including folk and ballad traditions of Scots-Irish immigrants —evolved into a blend of old-time string band music with blues and jazz influences from African American populations.
Post World War II saw the rise of bluegrass, pioneered by Bill Monroe, followed by country and western music from Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, and Dwight Yoakam. While Kentucky is commonly celebrated for its contributions to folk and Americana, the state’s musical landscape has grown to include gospel, rock, and more recently, indie, reflecting deep cultural ties and progressive artistic expression.
Today, Kentucky continues to be the home for up-and-comers of all types of music, including acclaimed alt-country star Sturgill Simpson, and hip hop artists such as Jack Harlow, and Nappy Roots.
Let your earsLead the way
All Venues
Boyd County Fairgrounds
Ashland
Kentucky
41102
United States
International Home of the Legends Thumbpicking Contest
Greenville
KY
42345
United States
John Prine Memorial at Rochester Dam Park
Drakesboro
KY
42337
United States
Festival Square
Central City
KY
42330
United States
Country Music Highway Crazy Quilt Mural
Ashland
KY
41101
United States
Country Music Highway Mural
Ashland
KY
41101
United States
Phone: 606-297-7823
US-23 Country Music Highway Museum
Staffordsville
KY
41256
United States
The Paramount Arts Center
Ashland
KY
41101
United States
Phone: 606-324-0007
The Little Loomhouse (Happy Birthday Song)
Louisville
KY
40214
United States
Phone: 502-367-4792
The Amp at Log Still
New Haven
KY
40051
United States
Phone: 502-917-0710
Rosine Barn Jamboree in Rosine
Rosine
KY
42370
United States
Phone: 270-256-0190
Rosemary Clooney House
Augusta
KY
41002
United States
Phone: 502-383-9911
Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
Mt Vernon
KY
40456
United States
Phone: 606-256-0101
Red Foley Boyhood Home
KY
40403
United States
Poppy Mountain Music Festival
Morehead
KY
40351
United States
Phone: 606-784-2277
Pioneer Playhouse Outdoor Theater
Danville
KY
40422
United States
Phone: 859-236-2747
Paradise Park – Merle Travis Boyhood Home
Central City
KY
42330
United States
Phone: 270-338-2520
Old Joe Clark Monument
Mt Vernon
KY
40456
United States
Norton Center for the Arts in Danville
Danville
KY
40422
United States
Phone: 859-236-4692
My Old Kentucky Home
Bardstown
KY
40004
United States
Phone: 502 348-3502
Muhlenberg County Music Museum in Central City
Central City
KY
42330
United States
Phone: 270-754-2963
Mountain Arts Center
Prestonsburg
KY
41653
United States
Phone: 606-886-2623
Merle Travis Music Center
Greenville
KY
42345
United States
Phone: 270-377-0227
Manchester Music Hall
Lexington
KY
40508
United States
Phone: 859-537-7321
Lyric Theater
Lexington
KY
40508
United States
Phone: 859-280-2201
Louis “Grandpa” Jones Historic Marker
Robards
KY
42452
United States
Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace Butcher Holler
Van Lear
KY
41265
United States
Phone: 606-789-3397
Lincoln Jamboree
Hodgenville
KY
42748
United States
Phone: 270-358-3545
Lexington Opera House
Lexington
KY
40507
United States
Phone: 859-233-4567
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Mount Vernon
KY
40456
United States
Phone: 606-256-1000
Keith Whitley Memorial Statue
Sandy Hook
KY
41171
United States
Jug Band Pioneer Earl McDonald in Louisville
Louisville
KY
40202
United States
Jonathan Spilman Historic Marker
Greenville
KY
42345
United States
Johnny Cash-Carter Wedding Historic Marker
Franklin
KY
42134
United States
John Jacob Niles Historic Marker
Lexington
KY
40509
United States
Jerusalem Ridge (Bill Monroe Homeplace)
Beaver Dam
KY
42320
United States
Phone: 270-298-0036
Jenny Wiley Theatre
Prestonsburg
KY
41653
United States
Phone: 606-886-2623
Highlands Museum & Discovery Center CMH Displays
Ashland
KY
41101
United States
Phone: 606-329-8888
Everly Brothers Monument
Central City
KY
42330
United States
Bradley Kincaid Home – Kentucky Mountain Boy – Historic Marker
Lancaster
KY
40461
United States
Homer C Ledford Historic Marker
Winchester
KY
40391
United States
Ernest Hogan – Father of Ragtime – Historic Marker
Bowling Green
KY
42101
United States
Bobby Mackey Honky Tonk
Florence
KY
41042
United States
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Owensboro
KY
42301
United States
Phone: 270-926-7891
Birthplace of T.O. Chisholm Historic Marker
Franklin
KY
42134
United States
Bill Monroe Museum
Rosine
KY
42370
United States
Phone: 270-274-5012
Beaver Dam Amphitheater
Beaver Dam
KY
42320
United States
Phone: 270-274-7106
Austin City Saloon
Lexington
KY
40509
United States
Phone: 859-266-6891
The Regions
Eastern
Kentucky east of I-75 is a musically historic section of the state, and is home to Cumberland hollers, Paramount Arts Center, the Country Music Highway (US 23) and so much more.
Central
Buoyed by the state’s largest city, Louisville, this portion of the Kentucky Music Trail boasts sites including the Pioneer Playhouse, and Railbird Festival.
Western
From I-165 westward, this segment of the Kentucky Music Trail features attractions such as the Everly Brothers Monument, John Prine Memorial Park at Rochester Dam, Bill Monroe Museum, and Beaver Dam Amphitheater.
So muchto experience
The Kentucky Music Trail honors the state’s musical roots, legendary musicians, and iconic venues. These locations are both educational and entertaining, preserving Kentucky’s unique cultural identity.
Put This Playlist On Repeat
From avant garde cellist Ben Sollee, to unconventional bluegrass band The Wooks, the Kentucky Music Trail marks a shared bond among the diverse artists and musical genres that call Kentucky home.
The Venues
From the Highways to the Hollers
You’ll find shows and concerts rocking almost every night of the year at the nearly two dozen venues that are part of the Kentucky Music Trail. Find one near you to see which stages feature your favorite artists.
Digital Passport
Rewarding YourLove of Music
Track your travels along the Kentucky Music Trail with the free passport app. Simply visit participating sites to collect “check-ins”—the more milestones you reach, the more giveaways you could qualify for including concert tickets and VIP merch.