She's well known in Kentucky music circles and beyond as an artist, an advocate, a teacher and promoter. What many people don't know about Jen Tackett is her passion for Kentucky farmers and agriculture and how that passion connects with her zeal for music.

Jen graciously accepted our invitation to Guest Co-host Bluegrass Breakout with Angela where she talked about her background, her music and her work with 4-H. She even shared two of her original songs with our live audience from the band room of our new Irvine studio. 

Jen is a GEM and we can't wait to have her back to update us on her work and sing more of her story songs for us!

Follow Jen on Instagram www.instagram.com/jentackettmusic/?hl=en

Jen's Soundcloud soundcloud.com/jen-tackett

Click on the player or file below to hear the entire show. 

Appalachian singer songwriter musician and story teller, Derek Spencer was the featured artist during the  Woodsongs Coffee House Hour July concert. The concert series is hosted by the Gateway Regional Arts Center in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky and is the perfect intimate venue to enjoy local music and have a peek at the inspiration and process behind the songs. 
Derek wowed the crowd with his original song stories and he shared with the audience the connection those stories have to his life in Eastern Kentucky. Give the show a listen, the player and download link are posted below. And check out Derek's website for tour dates and more. 

Derek Spencer Website: ​ www.derekspencermusic.com
Derek on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/derekspencermusic/

Kickin' It On The Creek 2019 was a phenomenal experience for music lovers and artists alike who traveled to the beautiful holler on Ross Creek in Estill County, Kentucky. The week was full and overflowing with love and incredible performances.  We owe the Roberts family a huge thank you for their donation of a pair of passes for this year's festival. Also, a tremendous thanks goes to the KIOTC family. We were able to raise $600 toward a vital equipment upgrade for the station. We are grateful for the generosity of Kentucky's music community! 

Byron Roberts and his family have been hosting the festival in their front yard for five years now, and this was Pickup Country's third year in attendance. This year, Ryan and I had the most perfect camp location and as always, we were treated with the best hospitality to be found.

​During the festival, we reconnected with music scene friends and made tons of new friends who share our appreciation for great songs and sweet Appalachia. And being there is like swimming in a sea of talent - from the musicians to the craft vendors, the sound and lighting crews to the spider monkey media folks. The lineup was nearly unbeatable for any stage anywhere. But also, in every holler hideaway of Wolfpen Branch you'd find a circle of pickers jamming away and I'm pretty sure the "Wook Nook" played and howled until sunrise.

It really is one of those "you have to be there to get it" kind of things that I often refer to as a bucket list event. By that I mean that if you love music and attending Kickin' It On The Creek isn't on your list of things you must do before you die, you need to at least pencil it in there somewhere. And if my poor writing doesn't convince you, I ask you to give one of the upcoming KIOTC pre-shows a try and you'll see what I'm talking about.

As I sort through and edit the music captured for airplay, I'll be updating our blog with KIOTC highlights and additions to our library. Until then, I leave you with some memories we snapped, many behind the scenes. 

~Angela