The shimmer of an Appalachian dulcimer. The woody lilt of a fiddle. Even the burble of a mountain creek or the rhythmic clip-clop of a horse's hooves. Music knows no bounds in Kentucky. As the birthplace of bluegrass, Kentucky's impact on American music is profound, and our musical roots extend all around the Commonwealth – from Owensboro, home of “Father of Bluegrass” Bill Monroe, to the Country Music Highway, a tuneful stretch of Eastern Kentucky where more than a dozen country legends got their start. If you want to get to the soul of Kentucky, all you've got to do is open your ears.

Get the ultimate Kentucky music experience. Enjoy Kentucky's music by checking out our Spotify playlist, or explore the best of Kentucky’s music attractions below and start planning your trip today! 
 

Music reverberates around Kentucky, from world-class theaters to front porch pickin’ sessions. The Kentucky Opry at the Mountain Arts Center, WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour at Lexington’s Lyric Theatre, and barnstorming performances at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center are musts for fans of classic country, bluegrass and Americana music. You’ll find plenty of rock, alternative and hip-hop at venues and clubs in cities like Louisville, Lexington and Newport. And Kentucky is home to some of the most renowned music festivals in the country, from Forecastle to the Festival of the Bluegrass.