Kentucky has long been a region of critical cultural crossroads. Rooted in rich, sometimes contentious, community-based forms of expression and exchange, these crossroads have grown directly from Kentucky’s diverse population and its geographic place at the heart of a growing nation.

As a place, Kentucky is the meeting ground. It was a frontier state: the westernmost point for the first European settlers, and the easternmost point for those choosing to travel Westward towards the Pacific Coast. It was a contentious land prior to the American Civil War: accepting slavery yet primarily home to smaller farmers who did not rely on the institution for survival. Despite migration, segregation, and prejudice, the universality of music led to striking cross-influences that have profoundly affected regional and American music.  As translated by gifted musicians, these engaging forms have shaped some of the most important strands of commercial music worldwide. 

An important economic, political and social hub of southcentral Kentucky, Bowling Green emerged in the early 20th century as a musical center that anchored performers, venues, audiences, and commercial infrastructure for the region as a whole.  This was a period of improvement in transportation by river, rail, and road.  Concurrently, this period saw the rise of recorded commercial media, including phonograph and record sales, personal appearances, and broadcast.  Most of the people interviewed for this project centered their music careers in Bowling Green, though their communities of origin drew from surrounding counties, especially Barren, Allen, Simpson, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, and Metcalfe.  Their stories reveal the history of our region, and its countless influences on more celebrated music centers such as Nashville, Atlanta, New Orleans, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, and beyond.