By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Gov. Andy Beshear has created the Governor’s Office of Music, a new office dedicated to highlighting Kentucky’s storied music legacy and to supporting Kentucky artists, venues, festivals and music businesses. He made the announcement at the Bourbon and Beyond Music Festival in Louisville over the weekend.
Prior to the announcement, the Governor signed an executive order creating the office to continue the state’s leadership in music for generations to come.
“Music is a part of who we are in Kentucky,” Beshear said. “We are proud of our musical heritage – from Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn to Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton. I created the Office of Music because Team Kentucky wants to make sure our Commonwealth remains a place where musicians can build a career, where venues and festivals can thrive and where people can come together to enjoy great music.”
The executive order makes Kentucky just the second state with an office dedicated to supporting musicians and the music industry. His executive action launched the website kymusic.ky.gov, which includes the Kentucky Music Industry Directory as a resource to connect artists, venues, business leaders and more to fuel ongoing collaboration and growth. Kentucky artists, venues, music businesses and festivals are encouraged to register on the Kentucky Music Industry Directory.
Gov. Beshear appointed Sebastian Kitchen, deputy secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, to serve as executive director of the Governor’s Office of Music.
“Gov. Beshear’s action today is a win for our artists and our economy, energizing both with support for our musicians, venues and festivals – which are economic engines for their communities and for the Commonwealth,” Kitchen stated. “In such a divided time, music brings people together, as we see these two weeks as hundreds of thousands of people come together in Kentucky to listen to music, enjoy our world-class hospitality, stay in our hotels and experience all of the reasons that make Kentucky such a great place to visit, live and work.”
The Governor’s Office of Music, working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, has also designed a “Kentucky: Sounds Like Home” license plate, which will be available soon, to celebrate the state’s music legacy.
According to state officials, Kentucky’s music industry needs the institutional support necessary to cultivate talent, foster growth and build connections. While Kentucky has been a leader in music in the United States and around the world, the music industry has changed dramatically, creating ongoing challenges for musicians, venues, festivals and businesses.