Kentucky may be best known for bluegrass, but our country music traditions are just as deeply rooted. With a heavy footing in Appalachian folk music styles, country music originated in the rural South and West in the early 20th century. As broadcast radio popularized the new genre, shows like Kentucky’s Renfro Valley Barn Dance (premiered Oct. 9, 1937) gained immediate popularity and exposed country music to a nationwide audience.

Country Music Highway (U.S. 23)

The stretch of U.S. 23 from Ashland south to the Virginia border has produced more hit country stars per capita than any place in the world. Musicians who hail from this area of Kentucky include: Loretta Lynn, The Judds, Chris Stapleton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, Crystal Gayle, Tom T. Hall and Keith Whitley. 


There are many places to stop and visit or take in a live performance on the Country Music Highway. Tour Loretta Lynn’s Homeplace in Van Lear. The Country Music Highway Museum in Paintsville displays memorabilia from more than 14 artists and hosts live bluegrass on Thursday nights. Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg hosts the Kentucky Opry, and many national country acts take the stage at Paramount Art Center in Ashland throughout the year. Explore the Country Music Highway  .

renfro valley barn venue

Country Music Festivals & Venues

Outside of Eastern Kentucky, there are several more places that country music fans should visit. Renfro Valley has been called Kentucky’s Country Music Capital, and is home to both the legendary Renfro Valley Entertainment Center and the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum, whose country inductees range from Merle Travis to John Conlee to Skeeter Davis. Kentucky also plays host to numerous festivals focused on  music, including ROMP Fest, Spirit in the Bluegrass Music FestPoppy Mountain Music Festival and Manchester Music Festival.

Trip Inspiration

How to Spend a Day in Maysville

Northern Kentucky River Region

 

Prepare for a picturesque and immersive experience in Northern Kentucky that will leave you wanting more. Start your day off at Parc Cafe, where you can taste the regional specialty of goetta, a combination of sausage and oats that you can only find in this part of the state. The Dirty Rice Bowl is a staff favorite, and also now, one of ours. Don't forget to indulge in their homemade baked goods, like the irresistible glazed croissant that's a perfect blend of a classic donut and a flaky French croissant.


Check into the Lee House Inn, which genuinely has some of the warmest hospitality and is filled with historic character dating back to the 1800s. Take time to listen and watch for the stories it has to tell. For lunch, head to Kenton Social for their iconic Bourbon Slush, as well as some tender Reuben Sliders. Afterwards, walk it off with a visit to the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center's miniatures museum, where the incredible attention to detail will leave you in awe and give you a glimpse of Maysville's history.

 


Bourbon Slush at Kenton Social

 

Don't miss the opportunity to see Old Pogue Distillery, the 3rd oldest in the country, that makes incredible small batch bourbon and rye. Head distiller John, a descendant of Old Pogue's original owners, will take you on a tour of their operation that overlooks the Ohio River.


End your day by enjoying the spectacular views of the Ohio River at Capronis on the River while savoring Southern-leaning dishes like fried green tomatoes and the famous Kentucky Hot Brown. Watch the sun set and witness the train passing by less than a foot away from you. 


Before heading to bed, take a moment to appreciate the view from one of the balconies at the Lee House Inn, where you can see "Pearl Bridge," as locals call it, that mimics a pearl necklace at night.

Author Information

Caitlin Sakdalan

Caitlin is a social media influencer, storyteller, and content & community expert. She is the creator behind the hugely popular @befatbehappy Instagram page. 

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