Bluegrass Museum & Hall of Fame Grand Opening

Calling all bluegrass lovers­– the time is almost here!  The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the grand opening of its new home October 18-20. The state-of-the-art, $15 million building in downtown Owensboro will open its doors with three days jam packed full of music highlighting the rich past, present, and future of bluegrass music.

 The weekend kicks off with an invitation-only event on Thursday celebrating the museum’s Hall of Fame members. 

On Friday, Kentucky native Sam Bush headlines the first public event in Woodward Theatre, which has already sold out. 

Saturday features FREE concerts on the outdoor stage!  Coined “Downtown ROMP,” it is a full day of music with performances by High Fidelity, Front Country, Town Mountain, and headliner Yonder Mountain String Band.  A capacity crowd of 1,500 is expected, so head downtown early to secure your spot.  This is also the first day the general public has a chance to tour the new museum!

This is a highly anticipated event and your first opportunity to check out all that the hall has to offer including a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits, educational and entertainment opportunities, music lessons, and more!  Don’t miss out! Click here for more info.

Official release:

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Grand Opening

The world’s only Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum will have its grand opening weekend on October 18-20 in downtown Owensboro, Kentucky.  The Hall of Fame is located at 311 West Second Street along the Ohio River.  The museum hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Admission prices are attached.

“For those who have visited us in our original location in the RiverPark Center complex, the new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum is a completely new experience.  For one, we have twice the exhibit space with a fresh perspective on everything from concept and design to layout, graphics, images, music, and artifacts.  In addition, the new museum highlights several very compelling interactives including the Video Oral History exhibit where visitors can enjoy video interviews of some of the artists and musicians who shaped bluegrass music.  At the center of everything is the Hall of Fame exhibit that pays tribute to bluegrass music’s most important figures,” said Chris Joslin, Executive Director Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The biggest feature of the new Hall is of course the live music nearly every weekend.

“Live music will energize everything at the new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum.  Woodward Theatre, a state-of-the art indoor performance space, presents some of the biggest names in bluegrass and roots music.  The outdoor performance space will host single day music events bringing the ROMP Festival (outdoor bluegrass music festival native to Owensboro) energy to downtown Owensboro.  Finally, musicians will be jamming informally at the Pickers Corner located just inside the exhibit area,” added Joslin.

The three-day opening will start on Thursday with an invitation only bluegrass legends night where a few bluegrass artists will be inducted post humorously into the Hall of Fame.  On day two, the father of newgrass, Kentucky native Sam Bush will play in the Woodward Theatre.  That concert is already sold out.  October 20 will be the public’s first official day to check out the new Hall of Fame.  There will be a free outdoor all-day concert starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 9 p.m. 

“The new Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum is also designed to host groups of all sizes.  With multiple options for private events, we can customize the experience to fit everyone’s needs while providing a very unique and compelling destination for just about any size group.  Did I mention the incredible views of the Ohio River and downtown Owensboro from our private event spaces,” said Joslin.

It’s clear the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum offers a lot to experience.  It’s  a cultural center, a history museum, a music venue, an event center, and more.  The Bluegrass Hall is a destination!  Bluegrass music is uniquely Kentucky, so experience the music at the source at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro, KY.