Five music groups and a recent winner of a country music association’s 2013 song writer of the year award will perform at Saturday’s Homeplace on Green River Fall Heritage Festival.
This will be the first appearance at Homeplace for Mary Kutter, who was selected by the North American Country Music Association International (NACMAI) as the 2013 songwriter of the year. The NACMAI was founded in 1997 to promote the development of country and gospel music.
Kutter, who lives in Lebanon, is a vocal music performance major at Campbellsville University.
She lives in Lebanon and includes in her credits performances at the Kentucky State Fair, Nashville Palace, and as the opening performer for the Miss America gala in Atlanta. She has also performed in a number of other venues in several states.
Five groups that were at the festival last year will return.
The Voices of Praise was formed in 2007, at the Pleasant Run Baptist Church in Green County, based on a vision of the late Sister Barbara Johnson of the Zion District Women’s Educational Institute. In 2008, this 100-man chorus gave their first performance, singing praises to the Lord. Today, in 2013, they are much smaller in number, but are still raising their voices in praise of the Lord.
The Foster Children are well known in South Central Kentucky, as they have been playing their traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel for the past 30 years. Based in Greensburg, the band plays songs by Bill Monroe, J.D. Crowe, Rhonda Vincent, and many other famous bluegrass artists. They also include a few old folk tunes and string band tunes in their music.
Potter’s Clay of Lexington is a ministry of women and men located in and around Lexington, singing Southern and contemporary music to praise the Lord. Their name comes from Isaiah: “We are the clay, you are the potter, and we are the words of your hand.” Their website is www.pottersclayonline.com.
The Exie Bluegrass Boys feature the members of the Curry Family, born and raised in the community of Exie in Green County. They play traditional bluegrass and bluegrass gospel. Their music makes good use of guitars, mandolins, banjos, fiddle and base.
Neal Sneed and the Dream Depot Singers are a group of local people who have been singing together for 20 years. Their music runs the gamut from 40s to modern hits, country to Gospel.
The annual Homeplace Heritage Festival is a day of family activities, exhibits, demonstrations, arts/crafts sales and a variety of food.
There is no admission charge to the festival and most activities. There is a small charge for hay rides, a barrel train, pony rides, face painting and a guided tour along one of the newly developed trails on the adjacent Tebbs Bend Nature Reserve. There will also be a farmer’s market and many exhibits, games and other family activities.
The event begins at 8 a.m. CDT Saturday. Homeplace is located at 5807 New Columbia Road, Campbellsville.
