Kentucky Museum News

Sonic Fest Celebrates Southcentral Kentucky Music on November 7

The Kentucky Museum will host Sonic Fest, a free afternoon of live music on November 7 from 2pm to 6 pm, celebrating the first anniversary of Sonic Landscape: The Musical Legacy of Southcentral Kentucky, the museum’s flagship exhibit documenting the region’s ongoing musical history.

Developed through more than 90 oral history interviews with musicians, producers, and industry insiders, Sonic Landscape highlights the people and sounds that have shaped Southcentral Kentucky music. Since 2016, the Kentucky Folklife Program, WKU Folk Studies faculty and students, and the Kentucky Museum have worked together to document and preserve this legacy.

The event will culminate in a reunion performance by Moral Chain of Custody, the collaborative music project founded by Billy Mack Hill, known for his work with Government Cheese, and Jeff Smith. The project brought together 21 local musicians for two albums: Vol. I: Recycle Love (1993) and Vol. II: Circus in Heaven (1995).

Moral Chain of Custody embraced a “pay it forward” philosophy, encouraging listeners to pass the music along and perform a good deed in return. The concept reflected the project’s belief that everyone should have access to local music and art.

“Sonic Landscape allows us to continue sharing the rich musical heritage of our region through both the exhibit and ongoing public programming,” said Brent Bjorkman, director of the Kentucky Museum and Kentucky Folklife Program. “This upcoming Sonic Fest music event further adds to another chapter of our musical story shared through a talented group of musicians we know and love."

Emceeing the special day of music will be celebrated musician and arranger Chris Carmichael, who will also add this violin virtuosity to the day. 

Sonic Fest will feature seven sets of music, including performances by Moral Chain of Custody, Government Cheese, Park Avenue Dregs, Ned Hill & Tina Simpson, TVLO, and Tommy Womack. The lineup brings together musicians who contributed to the Moral Chain of Custody albums or performed the music live across Kentucky and Tennessee.

Sonic Fest is free and open to the public. The event takes place November 7 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Kentucky Museum. For more information, go to the landing page of the Kentucky Museum’s website: www.wku.edu/kentuckymuseum

For more information contact Brent Bjorkman:  brent.bjorkman@wku.edu