Somerset CPA John Wilson to receive 2025 MMF Lifetime Achievement Award
‘I just wanted to make the community better’ Story by Jed Keith SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (July 8, 2025) — To talk to John Wilson is to talk to a man with humility about what he means to the Master Musicians Festival (MMF) and the Somerset-Pulaski County community. And maybe he doesn’t know just what he means […]
Q&A With MMF32 Featured Photographer Mayson Rainwater
Each year, the Master Musicians Festival chooses a featured photographer who has full access to the festival to capture the experience through their lens. This photographer is chosen based on their love and mastery of their craft, and their contributions to the community and the music scene. This year’s featured photographer is Somerset native Mayson […]
Q&A with MMF32 Featured Artist Sarah Roberts
Each year, the Master Musicians Festival, a 501c3 non-profit organization, commissions a regional artist to create a piece inspired by the festival. The featured artwork is used on the front of MMF’s lineup T-shirt, which can be purchased during the festival at the merchandise tent, and is auctioned to benefit the following year’s festival. The […]
MMF Introduces Young Songwriters Retreat
New full-day workshop offers intimate experience for budding musicians to learn from regional talent SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (March 12, 2025) — The Master Musicians Festival (MMF) has long been known for its emphasis on music education and offering performance opportunities to young songwriters. A new initiative announced today by the non-profit festival marries these two mission-centric […]
Don Bloomer receives the 2024 Master Musicians Festival Lifetime Achievement Award
‘It’s about community’: Former Citizens National Bank President Don Bloomer receives the 2024 Master Musicians Festival Lifetime Achievement Award Story by Jed Keith SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (July 9, 2024) — Headquartered in Pulaski County, Citizens National Bank (CNB) has been a cornerstone of the Lake Cumberland region for decades, providing the area’s residents with a host […]
Q&A with MMF 2024 Featured Artist Jimbo Valentine
Each year, the Master Musicians Festival, a 501c3 non-profit organization, commissions a Kentucky artist to create a piece inspired by the festival. The featured artwork is used on the front of MMF’s lineup T-shirt, which can be purchased during the festival at the merchandise tent, and is auctioned to benefit the following year’s festival. The […]
MMF Next Generation initiative expands to colleges and universities
Sponsorship allows participating high school, college graduates to attend two-day music festival for free SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (May 31, 2024) — After an overwhelmingly positive response to a new initiative last year that provided free Master Musicians Festival (MMF) weekend passes to local high school graduates, the program is expanding to include colleges and universities. MMF’s […]
Q&A with 2024 MMF Featured Photographer Misty Phillips
Give us a quick bio: Where you are from, what school(s) you’ve attended, any special training or recognition you want to mention, where you work, the name of your photography business, and family. I’m from Alpha, Kentucky (on the Wayne/Clinton line). I’m an 80s baby. I attended Lexington Community College and Somerset Community College and […]
Master Musicians Festival surprises fans with early lineup announcement featuring The Wallflowers as headliner
Southeastern Kentucky’s premier summer music event makes history with pre-holiday release; tickets go on sale on Black Friday It has been a year of records for the Master Musicians Festival. On the heels of a record-breaking crowd for the 30th anniversary of the festival in July, MMF organizers gave their fans a holiday surprise today […]
Denny Fries to be honored with MMF Lifetime Achievement Award
By Jed Keith People called to service have a tendency to downplay their invaluable contributions to their community. Denny Fries, the recipient of 2023’s Master Musicians Festival Lifetime Achievement Award, is the embodiment of that ethos. “Picking me out of the bunch is an honor, but so many people have been instrumental to the process […]
