GETTING TO KNOW THE BIG O
Welcome to
By: Danny May // Photos By: AP Imagery
THE HOME OF BLUEGRASS
OWENSBORO HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS BLUEGRASS, BOURBON, AND BARBECUE TRADITIONS, BUT HAS NOW STAKED ITS CLAIMS AS THE “BLUEGRASS MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.”
T
he music scene is very much alive in
Orchestra, which offers a free community
the “Big O.” Every summer, downtown
“Concert
Kentucky
“We’re trying to be for Owensboro
Owensboro hosts Friday After 5, a free
Wesleyan College each August, outdoor
what the Country Music Hall of Fame is for
concert series offering a “mile of music”
concerts at Smothers Park, and musicals at
Nashville or the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
featuring regional and national rock, blues,
the RiverPark Center.
is for Cleveland,” says Chris Joslin, Director
the
Lawn”
at
country, and gospel bands. Tens of thousands
Yes, music flows through Owensboro as
of the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and
of bluegrass and roots music fans come to
much as the river we founded our city on.
Museum. “Certainly bluegrass lives and
ROMP festival every June. And our newest
Especially bluegrass!
thrives in many places around the world.
music festival, PorchFest is filling more front
Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass
But there is not another cultural institution
porches with acoustic, folk, and light rock
music, was born 40 miles down the road in
dedicated solely to bluegrass music like we
acts every year.
Rosine, Kentucky. Which is partially why the
have here at the Hall of Fame and Museum.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum is
But it’s not enough to make a claim. You’ve
Not to mention the Owensboro Symphony
18
on
located in downtown Owensboro.
The 2022-23 Greater Owensboro Relocation Guide
