Musicians-2022
Coaltown Dixie
https://coaltowndixie.com
Coaltown Dixie is a classy, energetic all-female bluegrass band hailing from the Appalachian hills of East Kentucky. The band formed in 2009, taking their name from Dixie Hatfield, the grandmother of the band’s bass player and manager of a coal camp boarding house in East Kentucky. Thus far, the ladies of CtD have released three CD’s and a live performance DVD. Two of their original songs have been used as theme songs on Kentucky Educational Television's "Kentucky Health." They have also written and performed a song for the television pilot “Southern Girl Outdoors.” Coaltown Dixie has been the recipient of a National Bluegrass B.O.R.N. (Bands On the Rise Nationally) Award, been featured as “Future Stars” in the U.S. 23 Country Music Highway Travel Guide and graced the cover of M.E. Music Entertainment magazine.
Coaltown Dixie has been honored with prominent television and radio appearances throughout the Southeast including KET’s “Jubilee” and “Tim Farmer’s Homemade Jam,” “The WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour,” WDVX Knoxville’s “Blue Plate Special,” “CMH 23” and two appearances on Red Barn Radio. Career highlights include packing the house at Suwanee, Georgia's Everett's Music Barn on a balmy summer night; numerous appearances at Dollywood’s Bluegrass and Barbecue Festival (it’s never easy to sing over that train!), The Osborne Brothers Hometown Festival and Dr. Ralph Stanley's Annual Memorial Weekend Festival; sharing the Mountain Arts Center stage with bluegrass superstars Ricky Skaggs, J.D. Crowe, The Boxcars and the Lonesome River Band; twice headlining the Rural Roots Concert Series at the Historic Sipp Theater and opening for Larry Sparks and country music stars Bucky Covington and Randy Houser.
As recipients of a Kentucky Foundation for Women "Artist Enrichment" grant in 2021, Coaltown Dixie members helped develop and host the first Mountain Grrl Experience event in Pikeville, Kentucky.
Sometimes we wear overalls. Sometimes we wear sequins. We write, play and sing our own brand of “high-heeled bluegrass.” Usually in boots.
Bek and the Starlight Revue
Chelsea Nolan
www.chelseanolanmusic.com
Chelsea Nolan, is building a fire. Lit by growing up in arguably the most beautiful countrysides in the nation, surrounded by self-taught musicians who could play the pants off most any instrument, and occasionally guided by big brother and fellow singer-songwriter, Josh Nolan, Chelsea has found a way to shine a light on all the dirty corners of life. Saying more in one line than most do in an entire song, her stories are candid, gritty, real, and they carry you right along with her through the heartbreak, humility, and life lessons learned.
With crowds soon singing their favorite lines like, “You’d steal the pennies off a dead man’s eyes”, “You’re what rock bottom looks like”, “We stay wild enough to shoot at, you can put that on our stones”, and “You’re the one I look for when I’m ready to go home”, Chelsea found herself being pushed to record her songs, and though initially hesitant, finally decided it was the right time.
Having graduated from songwriter stages to festival main stages (Master Musicians, Well Crafted, Kickin’ It On The Creek, Red Fest) in less than a year, Chelsea is carving her own path and making quick work of it.
Jen Tackett
https://linktr.ee/jentackettmusic
“Wife. Mother. Musician. Loud laugher. Nerd.”
Emily Jamerson
“Child of Appalachia | seeking balance 🌱”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAuLhboOLjE
Sarah Kate Morgan
www.sarahkatemorgan.com
Sarah Kate Morgan started her musical journey at 7 years old when she was introduced to old-time music through a dulcimer that her grandfather built. From there, she has gone on to develop a uniquely intricate and virtuosic style inspired by the traditional Appalachian music she grew up with in rural East Tennessee.
At 18, Sarah placed 1st at the 2012 National Mountain Dulcimer Championships held in Winfield, KS. She recently graduated from Morehead State University in eastern Kentucky with degrees in Traditional Music, Appalachian Studies, and Arts Administration. Sarah Kate also performs as a regular member of the Michelle Canning Band , calls square dances, attempts to quilt and grow things in her garden garden, and works at the Hindman Settlement School in eastern Kentucky as the Traditional Arts Education Director.
Zoe Howard & Yellow Line
Larah Helayne
https://www.facebook.com/larahhelayne/
Larah Helayne is a 20 year old Queer, Appalachian musician; writing banjo pop songs for the adolescent and adventurous. Keep an eye out for Larah’s sophomore release, “Good Riddance,” on June 11th, 2022.
April Allen
https://aprilallen.net/home
April Allen plays a variety of instruments but the Mountain Dulcimer has become her focus. April has a different sound that comes largely from her unique way of playing chords. Her style is not categorized as traditional or even finger-style. It is something unique to her.
Most recently April has been playing her dulcimer along side a wide variety of other instruments and artists (such as the guitar, banjo, cello, and fiddle).
Ashlyn Smith
https://bluegrasstoday.com/12-year-old-ashlyn-smith-recognized-for-her-flatpicking-skills/
https://ashlynsmith937.wixsite.com/mysite
Ashlyn Smith. is a 12 year old multi-instrumental musician who has been playing Bluegrass Guitar on stage since she was 5 years old. She has won several contests playing guitar and has her own band, "Kentucky Borderline," that has performed at shows and Bluegrass festivals in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. She is a proud member of IBMA, Bluegrass Anonymous, and Tomorrows Bluegrass Stars.Inc. She enjoys learning new songs and licks and learning from all the Bluegrass friends she has made. She has been invited to play at "Bluegrass Night at the Ryman Auditorium," IBMA Kids on Bluegrass, Turnberry records SPBGMA showcase, the Southern Ohio Indoor Festival, Bill Monroe's Barn in Rosine, Ky. and the World Famous Station Inn in Nashville, TN. She recently was selected as one of only ten Kids for RFD TV Network's "Best of Woodsongs Kids" special.
Anna Kline
https://swiftsilvermusic.com
Mississippi native, Anna Kline, is a singer-songwriter who can be seen performing solo as well as in the duo, Swift Silver. She was recently named the Business Development Director at the International Bluegrass Music Association.
Amberly Winfrey Caddell
Amberly Winfrey-Caddell is a recording and performing vocal artist, and vocal coach who was born and raised on soul and gospel in Cincinnati, OH. When college brought her to the Bluegrass state to study classical voice, Amberly found herself immersed in the rich diversity of music in Kentucky. From experimental choirs to bluegrass orchestras, from funk bands to country revues, Amberly has enjoyed opportunities to sing on stages, in churches, and on holler porches across Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and beyond! Since completing a Master of Music at Belmont University, Amberly has continued to pursue diverse musical experiences in her own writing, teaching, and performance. Those experiences include singing lead and background vocals for Brother Smith and various acts in and around Nashville, TN and the surrounding areas.
Cara Coppola
https://www.facebook.com/Cara-Coppola-Music-105049891301147
Cara Coppola lives in Lexington with her kids Sierra and Willow, but has lived all over, including New Jersey, Minnesota, Buffalo, and Texas. She has resided in the bluegrass region since 1995 when she moved to Kentucky for college in the EKU Honors program for Literature. Her Master's in Literature from UK, by way of EKU, has greatly influenced her music, and novels, including those she's written, appear heavily in her original songs. She was raised on a steady diet of Catholic Hymns, Simon and Garfunkel, Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra, all of which mix weirdly into her style, which she's dubbed HymnFolk Blues. She also sings a lot about dogs, kids, guys both awesome and mansplaining; her blues songs most often focus on the struggles of her fellow females in this crumbling patriarchy. But she loves a good singalong best, and covers everyone from Dylan to the Dead, Natalie Merchant to Pink, and loves to put her own spin on songs, like making a slow blues song from a Cage the Elephant tune.
Debbie Tuggle
Kentucky singer, songwriter and Teaching Artist with specialties in authentic river music featuring Kentucky rivers and tributaries and Environmental Education music for students as well as songs celebrating beautiful natural places and the history and spirit of Kentucky.
The Sonshine Girls
Emma Lee
Hailing from the hills of deep Appalachia, 17 year old Emma Lee started writing poetry at the young age of 7. Being gifted her first guitar on her 8th birthday she still lacked motivation. Her mom talked her and her sister into joining the Junior Appalachian Musicians program, and those instructors showed her the drive that was needed. By the time she was 11 she could play 5 different instruments and became an instructor herself. When she learned how to read sheet music, she joined the marching band. This is where she would meet some of the biggest influences of her musical career. Growing up having traditional folk music influences drove her away from this specific genre. Although, upon discovering songs within this type of music where she could harmonize with her sister awoke a love for folk music and utilizing blood harmonies. Memories fabricate of Mom driving down the highway with the girls in the back, one on guitar and the other one ukulele. The lyrics: "I hate worrying about the future. Cause all my current problems are based around the past." have a much bigger meaning now. From Miss Ellie's String band to the marching raiders, to her high school rock band project (Gas Station Sushi), to playing open mics and music festivals all over the state of Kentucky. Emma Lee’s current musical influences are Paul McCartney and the Beatles, David Byrne and the talking heads, The Cure, Crosby Stills & Nash and Simon and Garfunkel. Throughout covers and originals, you can hear bits and pieces of these legends of music in everything she does. We're definitely looking forward to what this high school grad has in store for you this summer!
Luna and the Mountain Jets
Julie Goff & the Swagtones
Fun party cover band featuring all great seasoned players with excellent song selection. From popular classic pop and rock songs to 'make you get up and dance' Top 40 songs, the Swagtones get the party going and keep your crowd hopping all night long.
Maizie Manna
Maizie writes songs like most people breathe. Maizie soaked up music as a child on tour with her musician parents, and had been to more countries by the age of five than most people visit in a lifetime. She is a seer and a truth-teller, and spins the straw of her life into musical gold for you to hear. https://vimeo.com/413956591
Sydney Adams
Sydney Adams is a singer/songwriter from SouthEastern Kentucky. She spends most of her time traveling all over Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, and West Virginia spreading her music. Her roots run deep in traditional country music and her sound solidifies that, opening for names like Ricky Skaggs, Sunny Sweeney, and Kylie Frey to name a few. Sydney released her first EP “Always Home to Me” in 2019. She dropped her newest single “It Never Was” back in 2021. This song is off of her new EP set to be released this year.
Tiffany Williams
A coal miner’s daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter from McRoberts, Kentucky, Tiffany Williams lives in Nashville, where she writes songs and fiction. She is the recipient of the 2011 Jean Ritchie Fellowship for Appalachian Writing and the 2017 Denny C. Plattner Award for fiction, and she was a finalist in the 2021 Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition. Her debut LP, All Those Days of Drinking Dust, will be released on August 19, 2022.
Cecilia Blair Wright & Second Rodeo
Although classically trained, Cecilia's musical life has been centered on exploring and celebrating Appalachian experiences through musical collaboration. She has performed and/or toured with the Lonetones, Senora May, Warren Byrom, Trampled by Turtles, RB Morris, cellist Peter Gregson at Big Ears, 10 Years, Adeem the Artist, and toured with Lucette nationally in support of Sturgill Simpson. She recorded cello for Tyler Childers' grammy nominated record Long Violent History, and has written and recorded cello parts for Senora May, David Olney, and Little Red Lung, among others. Recently, she released her first self-produced solo album, Another Human.
Sarah Fightmaster
Born and raised in Bourbon County it took Sarah Fightmaster a while to realize the blessings of her home. She’s always been a bit obstinate. And while learning some lessons the hard way might make life difficult, it also makes for good songs. She has always had music in her life from piano as a child to starting college as a music education major. Music is her best soul medicine, a medicine she thinks is available for all to experience and enjoy.