OWENSBORO, Ky. - A bluegrass festival in western Kentucky is branching out to reach a larger audience in more ways than one.
Not only will parts of the Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival in Owensboro be broadcast on public radio stations, those who go will be able to attend more activities including art and yoga classes and the event will also host children's activities for the first time.
The Messenger-Inquirer reports headline acts at this year's event June 28-30 include Vince Gill, Old Crow Medicine Show and the Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile. Bluegrass classes on a variety of subjects ranging from picking banjo to writing songs to flatfoot dancing are also available to those who attend.Public radio stations including WNIN in Evansville, Ind. and WAMU in Washington, D.C., plan to air parts of the festival.
"WAMU has a digital channel that's 24-hour bluegrass. And we may add some more stations before it's over," said Steve Burger, vice president of radio and new media manager for WNIN Tri-State Public Media in Evansville.