What a weekend we had in Downtown Louisa! The Country Music Highway Tribute Show was an absolute blast, and we’re still buzzing from all the excitement. With more than 8,000 folks in attendance, 64 vendors, and 18 incredible performers, it was a true celebration of our Appalachian roots and talent.
A Homecoming for Our Headliners
The energy was off the charts when Lawrence County natives Ricky Skaggs, Noah Thompson, and Larry Cordle hit the stage for the “Million Dollar Holler Homecoming.” Ever wondered why we coined that term? Ricky, Larry, and Noah all hail from the same holler, Brushy, in Lawrence County. Noah, who won Season 20 of American Idol, gave the crowd a snippet of his new music
And that duet of “Highway 40 Blues” by Ricky and Larry? Pure magic.
Larry wrote it, Ricky made it famous, and hearing them play it together was unforgettable.
Plus, young Adalyn Ramey from Paintsville,, stole the show – and the hearts of those in attendance – when Ricky invited her on stage to play “Crying My Heart Out Over You.” It brought the crowd to its feet for a standing ovation.
A True Showcase of Talent
Beyond our headliners, we had a stellar lineup of 18 performers who took the stage. The weekend was a true testament to the incredible talent that comes from these hills!
- Baldridge Brothers
- Phill Barnett
- Rachel Messer and Connor Dale
- Adalyn Ramey
- Hannah Wheeler
- Ben Fugate and the Burning Trash Band
- Lawrence County High School Choir
- Hunter Jordan
- Laurah Louisa
- Them Lasses
- Eddie Jenkins & The 606 Sound
- Logan Purcell
- Luke Trimble
- Solid Ground
- Kentucky Just Us
Community and Collaboration
This amazing event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our Louisa community, Lawrence County Tourism, and our presenting sponsors: Addiction Recovery Care, Kentucky Power, Todd Case Trucking, and Trace Creek Construction. Thanks to them, we were able to offer this event for free, making it a memorable experience for everyone.
We also saw tourism organizations from all over the state come together, showing just how important it is to unite in promoting our region’s culture and economy. And those 64 vendors added so much to the weekend with their local crafts and delicious food, creating a lively marketplace atmosphere that everyone enjoyed.
Lindy Casebier, the secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts, and Heritage Cabinet, was also in attendance and addressed the crowd prior to Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder taking the stage.
Looking Ahead
As we look back on this incredible weekend, we’re filled with gratitude and excitement for what’s to come for the Country Music Highway Tribute Show! We can’t wait to do it all over again in Ashland on August 2-3. Get ready for another weekend of great music, community, and celebration!
Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all who came out. Let’s keep the music playing and thriving in our communities!