By Matt Wickstrom
LEXINGTON, Ky. – While popular new artists such as Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson and Tyler Childers are attracting fans and interest, Kentucky music has been a reliable tourism niche for years, supporting venues throughout the commonwealth. Music events and festivals draw not only Kentuckians but thousands of patrons from out-of-state and around the world, complementing the state’s equine, bourbon and other tourism sectors.
According to Department of Tourism Commissioner Kristen Branscum, a common factor in the musical crescendo is Kentucky’s authenticity. Tourists are constantly in search of honest, real and intimate experiences, and music fanatics are no exception.
Lexington-born Stapleton returned to Kentucky in July to perform at Louisville’s Forecastle Festival, founded by Louisvillian JK McKnight in 2002. Since 2012 the festival has been run by event producer AC Entertainment, founder of Bonnaroo, America’s largest camping festival. AC’s influence has tightened up Forecastle’s structure, focusing on bigger stage production and bigger name acts.
Read more at The Lane Report.
