October 2006 .............
Renfro Valley: Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum "It honors Kentucky performers, songwriters, publishers, promoters, managers, broadcasters, comedians and other music professionals who have made significant contributions to the music industry in Kentucky and around the world", from 1700 to present day. We counted 28 people in the hall of fame, including the Judd's, Billy Vaughn, Boots Randolph, Ricky Skaggs, Rosemary Clooney, The Everly Brothers, Red Foley, Tom T Hall, Grandpa Jones, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe and Merle Travis. The museum has many interactive displays and many student programs. We watched a video for over an hour about the history of Kentucky Music. It's next door to the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center. There is a charge to go through, but don't miss it.
October 2006 .............
Daniel Boone Parkway & Loretta Lynn Birthplace: One of our day trips was down what our old map showed as the Daniel Boone Parkway. Turns out it has been renamed for some politician, shame on you Kentucky. Someone mentioned if we had time we should go to Van Lear and tour the cabin where Loretta Lynn was born. When we reached the end of the parkway we got on H-80 and headed for Van Lear. That put us on "The Country Music Highway", that is 150 miles of pure Appalachian America and runs from Ohio to the Virginia State Line. The road represents more country singers than anywhere else in the USA. Just South of Paintsville, you drive down a narrow country road to Butcher Holler (named for kin folk of Loretta's) and find her birthplace. Herman, Loretta's brother usually is the one that takes you on a tour of the cabin (for a $5. fee) however the day we were there his daughter and her kids were the tour guides. The cabin is very interesting, it was one of the highlights of this trip. Be sure and stop at the country store in Van Lear on your way back to the main highway. It is run by another niece of Loretta's and really takes you back to the old days.
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