Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Join us as the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame welcomes Black Stone CherryRodney GriffinBobby Mackey, Paul Martin, Jimmy Mattingly, The McLain Family Band, Billy Moore, Ruble Sanderson, Sturgill Simpson, Charlie Sizemore, and Gary Stewart into the Class of 2024. The Induction Ceremony will take place on October 26, 2024, at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. Tickets are available to the public for purchase starting Friday, March 1st at 10:00 AM at www.renfrovalley.com.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Jessica at kentuckymusichalloffame@gmail.com or calling 606-256-1000.

EVERETTE AND BEN CHAPMAN AT RENFRO VALLEY

EVERETTE AND BEN CHAPMAN AT RENFRO VALLEY

Rooted in country, rock & roll, southern storytelling, and heartland hooks, Everette is glued together by two Kentucky natives who write their own songs, play their own instruments, and proudly blur the boundaries between themselves and their audience. For the boys, music is all about community. It’s about connection. That’s why the duo’s motto — “We are Everette” — isn’t just a statement about the musical bond shared by bandmates Brent Rupard and Anthony Olympia. It’s a reference to the communal bonds they share with their fans, too.

RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE AT RENFRO VALLEY

RHONDA VINCENT AND THE RAGE AT RENFRO VALLEY

Rhonda Vincent is a firecracker of talent that powers one of the hottest bands in any genre of music today. From humble beginnings in the tiny town of Greentop, Missouri, Rhonda’s musical heritage traces back 5 generations of the Vincent family. Her dad would pick her up from school each day, and they would sing and play till dinner. After dinner, friends came over, and they would sing and play till bedtime. She began her professional music career singing in her family’s band The Sally Mountain Show. It was an immediate “on the job training,” as they had a TV show, radio show, and made their first recording when Rhonda was 5 years old. She picked up the mandolin at eight, the fiddle at twelve, and learned a valuable life lesson as a teenager performing with her
family at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. While they were playing in the pouring rain to empty seats, and what they thought, no one listening — a week later they received a call from Hal Durham, general manager of the Grand Ole Opry at the time, and who just happened to be listening with his family around the corner. Mr. Durham loved what he heard and invited the Vincent family to appear on the Opry.

Rhonda’s life of music evolved into a successful career in bluegrass music; after being discovered by Grand Ole Opry Star “Jim Ed Brown,” and later spending what she calls her musical college years recording for Giant Records; and learning about the music business from Nashville’s best like James Stroud, Jack McFadden, and Stan Barnett.

It was her pivotal bluegrass album “Back Home Again” that transformed Rhonda
Vincent into the All American Bluegrass Girl, and crowned the New Queen of Bluegrass by “The Wall Street Journal” in 2000.

A multi-award winner, with a 2017 Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, an Entertainer of the Year 2001, Song of the Year 2004, and unprecedented 7 consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association 2000 – 2006 and an 8th win of IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 2015.

Her lifelong dream came true when she was invited to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 28, 2020. Rhonda waited an unprecedented 345 days and was
officially inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 6, 2021.
Her powerful vocal style transcends the boundaries of bluegrass music, as evidenced in her collaboration with Dolly Parton on the Elton John / Bernie Taupin Tribute Project “Restoration” 2018.

COMEDIAN YAKOV SMIRNOFF AT RENFRO VALLEY

COMEDIAN YAKOV SMIRNOFF AT RENFRO VALLEY

After escaping communist Soviet Union in the 1977, Yakov came to the United States with nothing but a dream. Before even learning the language, Yakov humbly began working as a bartender at the famous Grossinger’s Catskill Resort in New York, where he started telling jokes to his customers each night. As his English improved, he quickly grew in popularity. He made a daring move to Hollywood where the owner of The Comedy Store, Mitzi Shore, spotted him and advised him to stay. She told him, “There is always a place for good and different.”

His lovable view of life through the eyes of a poor immigrant captured the hearts of America. He soared to the top of the comedy world, performing on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” and countless other television programs, including as a regular character on “Night Court.” He became a star of his very own show, named after his famous catchphrase, “What a Country!” Yakov branched out to the big screen where he starred in movies with Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, to name a few. In 2016 and 2017 his TV special “Happily ever laughter” was voted “The best special” on PBS.

He has given command performances for 4 US presidents.

Living a life that is as exciting as ever, Yakov has married his sweetheart, currently has his very own 2000 seat theater in Branson, Missouri, and tours the world doing stand-up Comedy at performing arts centers.

With the heart of a dreamer, Yakov Smirnoff has made the impossible possible and continues to inspire others with his message that America is still, “What a Country!” Keep an eye out for a documentary about him on Netflix by the end of this year and stay tuned for what Dr. Yakov does next!

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND ALL THE GOOD TIMES: THE FAREWELL TOUR

NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND ALL THE GOOD TIMES: THE FAREWELL TOUR

On March 21st, 2024, the Dirt Band will kick off the first leg of their last traditionally scheduled gigs, ALL THE GOOD TIMES: The Farewell Tour. No need to fret, this isn’t goodbye forever, but it will be the last fans see of multi-city runs and long bus rides from the group that helmed the multi-artist Will The Circle Be Unbroken series that featured the likes of Mother Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Levon Helm, and dozens more.

“‘All The Good Times’ perfectly describes our career,” said the band in a statement this week. “Playing our music for Dirt Band fans all over the world has been an incredible experience for us. The most important part of that has been the connection to our audience—that beautiful communal give and take is like nothing else. That’s the very spirit we’ll be celebrating as we head into our farewell tour. We really look forward to seeing you folks. Good times will be had by all!”

ABOUT NITTY GRITTY DIRT BAND

With a refreshed lineup and newfound energy, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, featuring founding members Jeff Hanna (lead vocals, guitar) and Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica, vocals); Bob Carpenter (keys, vocals)—a member of the band since 1979; Jim Photoglo (bass, vocals); Jaime Hanna (guitar, vocals); and Ross Holmes (fiddle, harmonica, vocals); remains one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played their first gig in 1966 in Southern California as a jug band and by 1969 had become a cornerstone of the burgeoning country-rock community. Their career breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of the record Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy and the single “Mr. Bojangles,” a folksy Top 10 pop hit that brought folk music to the national forefront. In 1972, they released the first of three groundbreaking Will The Circle Be Unbroken records, collaborating with many of the best bluegrass, Country, and folk artists in the world. The band also has enjoyed vast success on the U.S. Country charts with hits like “Fishin’ In The Dark,” “Modern Day Romance,” and “Stand A Little Rain.” Their latest album, Dirt Does Dylan—released in 2022—has received widespread critical acclaim.

THUNDERSTRUCK: AMERICA’S AC/DC WITH TAYLOR ROAD AT RENFRO VALLEY

THUNDERSTRUCK: AMERICA’S AC/DC WITH TAYLOR ROAD AT RENFRO VALLEY

“Thunderstruck brings the power and entertainment of a genuine AC/DC show…They’re amazing…Don’t miss a great night of rock ‘n’ roll!” – 101.4 WPDH The Home of Rock ‘N’ Roll

Thunderstruck gives fans so much more than the sound of AC/DC, they truly capture the high voltage energy and experience. For fans, it’s about a sense of familiarity, and it’s about a feeling that snatches up listeners and takes over. It’s about a contagious kind of power and electricity that few AC/DC tribute bands can provide.

From Kyle LaPato’s strong on-stage performance replicating the Angus Young of the 70’s and 80’s, to Bobby Lee Stamper’s versatile vocals mimicking both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson ranges, to the incredible rhythm section made up of Kevin Feller on rhythm guitar, Corey Baetz on drums, and Chris Jones on bass, Thunderstruck gives a complete and consistently quality live show as true to the spirit of AC/DC that you can possibly get.

Thunderstruck: America’s AC/DC has performed tribute shows throughout the nation, with a consistent record of sold out shows from coast-to-coast. Thunderstruck, officially established in 2015 (but existing in other variations for several years prior), has continued to grow its fan base by building and maintaining relationships with some of the nation’s biggest promoters and venues, such as Live Nation and the House of Blues, as well as by performing at major music festivals including the Pensacola Tribute Fest and Parr Fest.

Thunderstruck is also the only AC/DC tribute band in the United States to have a major national brand sponsor, which is Number Juan Tequila, owned and operated by Alex Reymundo (Rednexican, Latin Kings of Comedy), and Ron White (Blue Collar Comedy, Horrible Bosses, Comedy Central Presents).

DOUG STONE FAREWELL CONCERT AT RENFRO VALLEY

DOUG STONE FAREWELL CONCERT AT RENFRO VALLEY

Doug Stone found his mark in music as a lonesome baritone balladeer, although he was very adept at hard-up-tempo country. He debuted with the single, “I’d Be Better Off (In a Pine Box),”This album produced a handful of chart-topping singles. Following these songs was his first number one, “In a Different Light”. In addition, the single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Song. The Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of one million copies. Two more albums for Epic, 1992’s From The Heart and 1994’s More Love, were each certified gold. Stone has charted –twenty-two singles on Hot Country Songs, with his greatest chart success coming between 1990 and 1995. In this time span, he charted eight Number Ones including: “In a Different Light”, “A Jukebox and a Country Song”, “Too Busy Being in Love”, “Addicted to a Dollar”, and “Why Didn’t I think of That” to name a few, plus fifteen more Top Five singles”.

TAYLOR HICKS AT RENFRO VALLEY

TAYLOR HICKS AT RENFRO VALLEY

For Taylor Hicks, winning “American Idol’s” blockbuster fifth season was just the beginning. Hailed as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk” by The New York Times, Hicks’ intoxicating blend of soul, blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll quickly rendered him a household name as he progressed to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, a historic television event which drew an audience of more than 200 million viewers. Hicks immediately followed his “American Idol” victory with a No. 1 Billboard single and an RIAA®-certified platinum debut, and soon went on to make history as both the first male “American Idol” champion featured on a GRAMMY-winning record (Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off), and the first to land a prestigious Las Vegas residency. A versatile artist, actor and advocate, Hicks has since ventured into theater, television and film, starring in Serenbe Playhouse’s 2019 production of “Shenandoah,” touring as Teen Angel in the popular Broadway musical “Grease” in addition to appearing on “Law & Order: SVU” and hosting the INSP series “State Plate,” which won the Cynopsis TV Award for Best Reality Series (Travel). Hicks’ passion for southern cuisine led him back to his native Alabama, where he opened up SAW’s Juke Joint, a restaurant crowned one of the “25 Best Barbecue Spots in America” by Men’s Journal.

GEORGE MOLTON AT RENFRO VALLEY

GEORGE MOLTON AT RENFRO VALLEY
George Molton is a native of Olive Hill, Kentucky, which is where legendary songwriter Tom T. Hall calls home.  Molton has performed with Montgomery Gentry, Exile, Blake Shelton, Merle Haggard, and more.  Fellow Kentuckians, John Michael Montgomery and Montgomery Gentry have cut several songs that George Molton has written.
George Molton has made a name for himself, as well as keeping the traditional country music sound alive in central Kentucky.  He has been a music fan favorite to see live in concert.18+ SHOW