Arts Insider Pick of the Week: Barrels & Boots Music Festival

Barrels and Boots Music Festival makes its inaugural showcase at this year’s Kentucky State Fair. Held in Freedom Hall, the one day, six artist event will mix country newcomers and chart toppers, all in the middle of exciting Kentucky State Fair fun.


The uniquely curated lineup presented by iHeartRadio features Montgomery Gentry and John Michael Montgomery with Eric Paslay, Craig Campbell, RaeLynn and Kelsie May.

"We're thrilled to help bring Barrels and Boots Music Festival to life as part of the Kentucky State Fair," WAMZ/Louisville Program Director for iHeartMedia Michael Jordan said. "It’s going to be a phenomenal country music festival in the heart of one of the best, if not, the best summertime experience in Kentucky."

Kentucky natives Montgomery Gentry has had 14 Billboard Top 10 singles on the country charts including ‘‘Where I Come From,” “Something To Be Proud Of,’’ and “Lucky Man,” and sold millions of albums around the world.

In 2009, the duo consisting of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. Their eighth studio album, ‘‘Folks Like Us,’’ was released in June of this year.
Grammy-nominated singer John Michael Montgomery will sing from his extensive 24-year catalog of hits. Since his debut in 1991, Montgomery has had seven songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts including ‘‘Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” ‘‘Be My Baby Tonight,” and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).” “I Swear” and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident” were named Billboard top country songs in 1994 and 1995 respectively.

Rising star Eric Paslay debuted his self-titled album in 2014 with singles "Friday Night," "Song About a Girl" and "She Don't Love You" climbing the country charts. ‘‘She Don’t Love You’ ’ was named one of the top country songs of 2014 by Rolling Stone magazine. Before starting his singing career, Paslay wrote ‘‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night’’ for Jake Owen, ‘‘Even If It Breaks Your Heart’’ for Eli Young Band and other hits for Rascal Flatts, Love and Theft and Lady Antebellum.

Craig Campbell recently climbed the Billboard Top 10 country music charts with "Keep Them Kisses Comin’," from his second album, "Never Regret." He delivered three hits off his debut self-titled album, including "Family Man," "When I Get It," and "Fish."

RaeLynn, season two contestant of NBC’s The Voice, will also sing on the Freedom Hall stage.
The singer’s gold-certified debut single, ‘‘God Made Girls,’’ was the highest-charting debut from a solo female artist in 2014. She is also featured on backing vocals for Blake Shelton's 2013 single, "Boys 'Round Here." Named one of Country Music’s 15 Brightest Stars by BuzzFeed, she has already toured with Rascal Flatts and Miranda Lambert.

Eastern Kentucky-raised singer Kelsie May found her way onto television screens as a contestant on season eight of NBC’s The Voice. Her first studio album is currently being produced and written.


WHEN: Friday, August 21st
WHERE: Freedom Hall
TICKETS: Wristbands for the August 21 country music festival are $37, and allow concertgoers to go in and out of Freedom Hall.
CONTACT: All concert tickets include admission to the Kentucky State Fair and a facility fee. Tickets can be purchased at the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center Ticket Offices and all Ticketmaster outlets. Charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000, or purchase online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Doors will open on Friday evening at 4:00 p.m. and the lineup is scheduled to sing (subject to change):
Raelynn---5:00 p.m.
Craig Campbell -5:45 p.m.
Kelsie May-6:30 p.m.
Eric Paslay ---7:15 p.m.
John Michael Montgomery -8:00p.m.
Montgomery Gentry-9:20 p.m.