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Held in historic downtown Lebanon Jan. 9-10, KBMK ‘09 features seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Rhonda Vincent along with Gary “Biscuit” Davis, Kevin Moore, the Hager’s Mountain Boys and John Cosby & The Bluegrass Drifters in this two-day celebration of the state’s official music.
“It’s hard to believe that what started out as an idea to get a few bluegrass folks together and play a little music has blossomed into a weekend of entertainment with a wonderful sit down dinner show serenaded by the likes of superstars Rhonda Vincent & the Rage,” said Kentucky Fellowship of Musicians Pres. Brad Lanham after learning that the Kentucky Bluegrass Music Kickoff had been named one of the Kentucky Tourism Council’s “Top 10 Winter & Holiday Festivals & Events.”
KBMK joins such heavy hitters as Louisville’s Kentucky Crafted: The Market, Renfro Valley’s Christmas in the Valley, Ashland’s Winter Wonderland of Lights, Lexington’s Southern Lights: Owensboro’s Holiday Forest and Winter Wonderland, Elizabethtown’s Christmas in the Park, Bowling Green’s Holiday Lights Spectacular and Mt. Olivet’s Holiday Dinner Theater as a Top 10 honoree.
A panel of impartial judges chooses the KTC Top 10 events. Criteria for selection include popularity of the event, its impact on the local tourism economy and its cultural and historical significance.
“Bluegrass Music is alive and kicking in the center of Kentucky and the Kentucky Fellowship of Musicians are honored to have the Kentucky Bluegrass Music Festival named as one of state’s Top 10 events,” said Lanham.
“It amazes me the number of musicians and visitors that travel here from out of state just to be around bluegrass music. This year will be jam packed with entertainment and we can’t wait to share it with all our guests.”
Vincent & The Rage won the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Album of the Year for All American Bluegrass Girl and won Song of the Year for the title track in 2007, is a three-time Recorded Event of the Year recipient and won Entertainer of the Year in 2001 and Song of the Year in 2004.
Davis is the three-time national banjo picking champion who records with Dolly Parton and performs with her in her Christmas show in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The KBMK starts Fri., Jan. 9, with “Come Play With Biscuit,” a concert featuring Davis, Moore, the Hager’s Mountain Boys and John Cosby & The Bluegrass Drifters, continues the next day with workshops and concludes with a huge Saturday night dinner and concert, featuring Rhonda Vincent & The Rage.
Workshops for banjo, fiddle, mandolin and guitar will be held throughout Saturday morning and afternoon. The sessions will be conducted by Davis, Moore and other special guests.
Jamming areas will available throughout the weekend for visitors.
Limited dinner and show tickets for the Jan. 10 concert are $45 and are sold in advance only. Show only tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. Children 12 and under get in free for the show only with a paying adult or they can have the dinner and show for $18. Advance tickets include admission to the “Come Play With Biscuit” performance.
General admission to “Come Play With Biscuit” is $5 and children 12 and under get in free with a paying adult.
Tickets can be purchased online, or at the Lebanon Tourist & Convention Commission located at 239 N. Spalding Ave. Ste. 200.
For details, go to VisitLebanonKy.com, call (270) 402-3835 or e-mail kyfellowshipofmusicians@hotmail.com.
Hampton Inn of Lebanon is the official hotel for KBMK ‘09. Call (270) 629-0021 and ask about a special KBMK package.
