The Bluegrass Block: Uniting Traditions and Talent on the Country Music Highway

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

Bluegrass is at the heart of all genres of music. It is a way of life in Appalachia and is the backbone of the Country Music Highway.

That’s why the Bluegrass Block, picked by Wellcare, as part of our upcoming Country Music Highway Tribute Shows.

Lawrence County’s own, Bobby Cyrus and his wife Teddi will be headlining the entertainment at the Russell location Saturday, June 1.

Other groups performing at the Russell event are Joe Clark, Johnathon Cox, Cory Michael Harris, Taylor Hughes, August Roots, Mattox Hale, Mason Adkins, Casey Hensley, Will Case and Possum Up a Gum Stump.

Downtown Louisa is also among the three locations listed for Saturday, July 13. Performers will be announced at a later date.

Downtown Ashland will host the last event August 2-3.

The Country Music Highway Tribute Show started March 2022 as an idea to provide entertainment to patrons as part of the SOAR Mini Summit in Ashland. That night entertainers took the stage at the Paramount Arts Center and raised money for the venue’s historic marquee restoration.

Last year shows were held in Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Whitesville. Through the support of our sponsors and partners, we were able to award more than $7,000 in donations to organizations supporting the arts in host communities.

SOAR announced in a press release that Addiction Recovery Care (ARC) and Kentucky Power recently signed on as presenting sponsors for the events.

Other venues sponsoring the event are Paramount Arts Center, Mountain Arts Center and the Appalachian Wireless Arena.

Other ARC enterprises such as 3 Sisters Catering Events and Masterpiece Café will serve as official food sponsor for performers, VIP and sponsors.

Torchlight Studio and Mountain Movers Theatre Company, also ARC enterprises, are part of the Country Music Highway Tribute Show.

Area tourism committees such as Lawrence County, Boyd County, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, Elliott County, Pikeville/Pike County, and Letcher County Tourism help in support of this event.

For more info visit www.cmhtributeshow.com or contact Kirsten Wilbur, event coordinator at kirsten@soar-ky.org.