One of the Best Music Festivals of the Summer is In Manchester, Kentucky and It’s Free!

Did you know there’s a music festival coming Labor Day weekend that features an incredible roster of singers, songwriters and bands in the Americana, country, folk and bluegrass space and the tickets to said event are absolutely free? You do now. 

The Manchester Music Fest is in its seventh iteration in eight years (damnit, COVID) and has always been completely free to the public to attend. Yes, you have to get there. Manchester is a small little burg nestled in the heart of the Eastern Kentucky Appalachians. But it’s a short drive from Interstate 75 South from Lexington and North from Knoxville and is a community just bursting at the bit to welcome people to visit.

This year’s lineup (did we mention it’s free yet?): 

Brent Cobb & the Fixin’s

Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays

Taylor Hunnicut

The Creekers

Hollerhead

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

Bill Taylor & The Appalachian Heathens

Deep South

Scott T. Smith

Abe Partridge

Emily Jamerson

Roy Caudill

Stinky Pete

Spooky Fox

The Seas

Mayor of Shenanigans 

Colby Sams

For free? Yes. Free.

Tim Parks and Jess Bowman are two of the people behind the Manchester Music Fest. They sat in with Falls this week to talk about the event, how they can pull this off without charging for tickets, booking artists and the impact of such an event on a small community. But they also talked about the early challenges some clever marketing presented for the isolated community in them thar hills (as they say).

Parks is even currently or formerly involved in the management and road management of acts like The Creekers and Sundy Best, so a lot of fun insights fell out of the conversation.

Frank also recaps the recent tribute concert for her late friend Lindsey Woodward and, of course, Frank and Falls also have their normal Pickin’ the Grinnin’ choices of recommendations of new music for you to experience. 

Download the episode and subscribe at rootsmusicrambler.com or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Also be sure to help spread the love of the show with Roots Music Rambler’s new merch, now available at rootsmusicrambler.com/store. Authentic t-shirts, hats and stickers are now available. 

Buckle up for The Hoe-Down and the Throw-Down! It’s a new episode of Roots Music Rambler.

Notes and links: 

Manchester Music Fest Online

Manchester Music Fest Instagram

City of Manchester, Kentucky online

Clay County Kentucky Fiscal Court Online

Bill Taylor and the Appalachian Heathens on America’s Got Talent

The Roots Music Rambler Store

Roots Music Rambler on Instagram

Roots Music Rambler on TikTok 

Roots Music Rambler on Facebook

Jason Falls on Instagram

Francesca Folinazzo on Instagram

Pickin’ the Grinnin’ Recommendations

Lola Kirke

Gasoline Lollipops

Subscribe to Roots Music Rambler on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, GoodPods or wherever you get your podcasts.

Theme Music: Sheepskin & Beeswax by Genticorum; Copyright 2025 - Falls+Partners. All music on the program is licensed by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. Roots Music Rambler is a member of the Americana Music Association.
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