Bluegrass, Blues, & Barbecue

I LOVE music.  I think I was probably singing as soon as I learned to talk.  There are very few kinds of music that I don't like.  And even for those, I can appreciate the talent that is required to perform.

Bluegrass falls into that category.  Even though it is not my preferred choice of music, I can appreciate the hard work that artists put in to be successful.

My mother adores Bluegrass music.  Her take on it is that even though there are slower songs, it is still upbeat and fun.   Owensboro, located in the West, is home to the International Bluegrass Museum.  The museum houses exhibits honoring Bill Monroe, the father of Bluegrass music and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, among others.  This year, the museum hosted the Bill Monroe Centennial Exhibit, showcasing many of Monroe's personal items that have never been seen.

Owensboro is known as Kentucky's Festival City.  Owensboro is home to the International Barbecue Festival, held every May.   Groups travel from around the world to compete in different meat categories.  And the visitors reap the benefits of all this barbecue goodness.  Now barbecue, I can seriously get into!  The slow cooked goodness and scents that fill the air during the day must be heaven.

Also in the West lies Henderson.  Henderson is home to the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue festival.  While Handy was not originally from Henderson, he was a resident there for many years and even met his wife there. Handy is considered the Father of Blues, and he has said that his time in Henderson helped him "learn to appreciate the music of his people."

And that is how I have begun to feel while I am venturing through this region.  Bluegrass is the music of my people.  It was created in Kentucky and the state has fostered the musical genius of those who have come to the state to find inspiration.  I can completely understand how someone who ventures to our great state could be inspired to create music that tells the story of life, love, and loss.

Just the beginning of this journey has me itching to get behind the wheel of my car to take a long drive through our state, snapping pictures and recording feelings as I go.  I want to record it all, live through it, and experience the life of Kentucky.  I have already started compiling a list of festivals and stops for this journey.

And tomorrow, I get to go to the Cave, Lakes, & Corvettes region of Kentucky.

Or, as I like to call it, home.