Nestled in a small studio space in downtown Lexington, Kentucky, sits the popular weekly radio series, Red Barn Radio.  It has been running for over 17 seasons of music entertainment.  Shows are broadcast live on the radio airwaves, as well as on Facebook live.  Many of those that have graced the stage have went on to perform on bigger stages, including the Grand Ole Opry.  Several of those artists have released, and getting ready to release, albums that have captured the Red Barn Radio live concert experience.  Here are several that you should add to your music collection.

Tyler Childers
It appears the world knows about eastern Kentucky native Tyler Childers these days.  In fact, he has been creating a buzz with his music within the last year beyond the borders of Kentucky.  Thankfully, he has performed several times on Red Barn Radio.  Now you can own a piece of that history with his Live On Red Barn Radio I and II, released in 2018.  Purchase by clicking here.

The Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble
The Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble is led by Al White, who married Alice McLain of the famous McLain Family Band.  Al has taught bluegrass and Appalachian music at Berea College for quite some time.  He has successful led several renditions of the Bluegrass Ensemble for stateside and worldwide tours.  Their Live at the Red Barn Radio album highlights historical recordings of “Old Home Place,” “The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore,” and “Rawhide” just to name a few.  Their album is available for purchase through Berea College, which provides free tuition for students through work study programs.  Purchasing this cd helps students gain an education, as well as help you learn more on the sounds of Appalachia.  Click here to purchase.

Dean Phelps
One of the neat things with Red Barn Radio is that they have some of the top musicians on the air performing.  Dean Phelps was named the National Thumbpicking Guitar Contest at the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Ark., and named thumbpick guitar champion at the Indiana Picking and Fiddling Championship.  He brought his talents to Red Barn Radio several times and released, “Smiles,” with recordings of his performances.  It includes Appalachian Christmas songs, as well as other selections not on his other albums.  Click here to purchase.

John Lilly
Red Barn Radio features not only folks from Kentucky, but also our neighbors such as John Lilly of Charleston, West Virginia.  His Live at Red Barn Radio recording includes many of John’s most-requested numbers, such as “Good News/Bad News,” “Broken Moon,” “Roadkill,” “Spirit (Bend Close to Me),” “Blue Boy,” “A Little Yodel Goes a Long Way,” and others, along with two soon-to-be classics never before recorded: “This Old Knife” and “Tore Up from the Floor Up.”  John is well known for his unique yodeling, as well as being able to perform in the style of Jimmie Rogers and Hank Williams, Sr.  Unfortunately, this album is out of print so if you find a copy of it via Amazon or wherever, hang on to it!  Click here to purchase from Amazon.

Soon to be released Live at Red Barn Radio albums:

Dakota Saylor
Hot off the presses is Dakota Saylor’s Live at Red Barn Radio album, set to be released May 30, 2019.  Coming from Harlan County, Dakota Saylor and his band, Bloody Harlan Band, perform 11 songs on the live album. Click here to purchase.

There are additional albums coming down the pipeline with Live at Red Barn Radio.  Pikeville natives, Bek and the Starlight Revue, will be showcasing their soulful rock sounds.  Bek’s purely heartfelt vocals will be a delight to hear on the album.  Another Harlan County native releasing an album is Tyler Smith & The Still Runners.  Country/rock artist from Somerset, Cody Lee Meece and The Catdaddies, will be releasing his album later in 2019.  Rachel Crowe and the Beardos just finished recording their set for a future release.  Finally, Tony Logue, of Marshall County just announced his Red Barn Radio recording to be released this summer.

For any music fan that appreciates good music, be sure to check out the artists we feature.  You too can be in the audience as music is being made over the air.  Head over to www.redbarnradio.com to get the latest schedule, as well as check out the archives of some of your favorite artists.  Also, click here for a recap from John R. Miller’s show recently at Red Barn Radio.

Jessica Blankenship

Jessica Blankenship is the owner and founder of Kentucky Country Music website with over 20 years experience in music journalism, concert planning, photography, and promotion. Jessica is a Kentucky Colonel and alumni of the 2019 Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT Class and a recipient of the Laurel County’s Ten Under 40 Award. Listen to her each week on WFKY on Friday mornings for the Nashville News Roundup.

www.kentuckycountrymusic.com