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 Rosine, 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!

Every day of the week, you can find a live music or theater performance taking place on one of Kentucky’s many stages. Amazing venues like Renfro Valley Entertainment Center and the Madison Theater in Covington are great places to catch Kentucky bands like Cage the Elephant as well as other national touring acts and up-and-comers. WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour is recorded weekly at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center in Lexington, and the nearby Lexington Opera House is the home stage for many local groups. 

Interested in a sneak peek at artists that may be performing across the state? Check out the Kentucky Arts Council Performing Artists Directory for Kentucky artists that perform locally and are available for bookings. 

Plus, when the weather turns warm, Kentucky's outdoor stages come alive. Must-see productions include The Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown and Louisville's Kentucky Shakespeare Festival. And don't miss outdoor venues like the Jenny Wiley Theatre. 

To paraphrase the Bard: all Kentucky’s a stage!

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