Kentucky Folklife Artists Performing at Governor’s Derby Day Celebration 

Thornhill Dance Band – Traditional Square Dance

The Thornhill Dance Band is a group of young and older artists who perform at the Thornhill Community Center.  Once a month they get together to share traditional fiddle and dance tunes, while playing for the Thornhill Dancers.  The dancers will accompany the band at the Derby Celebration, so come prepared to join in with their traditional reels in the beautiful History Center Gardens.  

The Eversole Brothers - Old Time String Music

Eric and Ethan Eversole are young musicians who live where they were raised on Clear Creek near Wildie in Rockcastle County. Together they have visited traditional musicians in the area - such as Clyde Davenport, Walter McNew, and Dora Mae Wagers - to learn their repertory of songs and dance tunes, which they sing and play using banjo, guitar, and fiddle. A few years ago, the Eversoles were invited to become a featured act on the historic Renfro Valley Barn Dance program, which continues to present nightly shows just a few miles from their home.    

Eddie Pennington- Western Kentucky Thumbpicking

Pennington, a true Kentucky treasure, is one of the finest traditional Merle Travis-style thumbpickers in the country.  Among his many awards are the 2000 Kentucky Governor’s Award in the Arts within the Folk Heritage category, and the 2001 National Heritage Fellowship Award. Pennington, was born in Hopkins County and now living in Princeton, in Caldwell County.  Whether playing as part of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, as a feature performer of the Wolf Trap/Folk Masters radio series, or just jamming at home with friends, Pennington remains one of the top musicians of this truly “Kentucky-based” style of guitar.  

Standing Formation - African American Gospel

Standing Formation is a relatively new group made up of members who have sung gospel music in their homes and churches all their lives. Hailing from the Lexington area, they are representative of the traditional gospel quartet-style music found in African American churches throughout the region.  Originally drawing on the text of spirituals, they have expanded their repertoires and modernized their sounds.  

Kentucky Wild Horse – Bluegrass and Old Time Music

Kentucky Wild Horse is a recent musical manifestation of several regional artists who have deep connections to Kentucky’s vast fiddling and old time music traditions.  The band plays traditional music learned directly from earlier generations of Kentucky musicians, both professional and amateur.  Members of the group have been playing this music all their lives.    

Grupo Jancos – Mexican Cumbia Music

Grupo Jancos is a local group representing a highly popular form of dance music among Hispanic communities.  They play for dance clubs and celebrations throughout the region.  Cumbia band instruments include the accordian, drums, and guitars, bass, and keyboards.  This group’s music is a sample of what you will experience at the Kentucky Folklife Festival this September.  Come prepared to dance!  

Clevie Childress and Jeff Carroll –White Oak Basketmaking

This grandfather/grandson duo are current recipients of the KFP’s Folk and traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.  As a master, Clevie Childress passes on to grandson Jeffry Carroll the techniques and skills needed to carry on this family tradition that now reaches back seven generations.  Childress and Carroll will be on hand demonstrating this uniquely regional folk art form and will answer questions about basket making.