When you think of the stars and iconic voices of country music, there’s no place that has produced more stars per square mile than the Country Music Highway. 

Think about it. The Judds,  Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Larry Cordle, Patty Loveless, Dwight Yoakum, Chris Stapleton, Tyler Childers, and the late Naomi Judd, Keith Whitley, and Loretta Lynn all were raised and honed their skills here in Eastern Kentucky. 

That’s why we are paying tribute to the stars, past and present, with the Country Music Highway Tribute Show, presented by Double Kwik. The shows will make three stops in Paintsville, Whitesburg, and Prestonsburg this summer. 

Here are the dates and locations:

• July 29 | Paintsville on Main and College Streets
• August 12 | Whitesburg at the Mountain Heritage Park
• August 19 | Prestonsburg at the Mountain Arts Center 

Two free outdoor shows and a paid show

Two of the shows (Paintsville and Whitesburg) will be free outdoor events. They will run all day and incorporate handmade arts and crafts, food vendors, and activities for children. There will also be a free shuttle service provided to and from each downtown at each location. Details on shuttle information will be released soon. 

The August 19 show at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg will be a ticketed event. Tickets are just $15. 

All money raised from the Country Music Highway Tribute Show will be reinvested back into organizations supporting the performing arts along the Country Music Highway and help sustain the shows as an annual event.

The Country Music Highway Tribute Show launched last March at SOAR’s Mini Summit in Ashland. The idea caught on and caught fire, leading to this year’s lineup of events. In 2024, the Country Music Highway Tribute Show will be in Ashland and two communities located in the northern section of the Highway. 

Apply to perform or be a vendor

We’re looking for performers and vendors

Want to perform at the Country Music Highway Tribute Show? Fill out a brief application to be considered. 

Applications are also open for food and arts and crafts vendors. If you would like to provide activities for children and families, please contact Joshua Ball, Chief Operating Officer at SOAR, at joshua@soar-ky.org.