Master Musicians Festival Announces New Executive Leadership And Welcomes New Board Member
SOMERSET, Ky. — The Master Musicians Festival is pleased to announce its new executive leadership and welcome a longtime festival volunteer to its Board of Directors. Farrah Dobbs has been named President of the Master Musicians Festival Board of Directors, and Stefan Brown will serve as Vice President. Both will serve two-year terms in their […]
Kirby Stephens To Receive the 2026 MMF Lifetime Achievement Award
By William Cox – KSD I’ve known Kirby Stephens for years. Writing about him turned out to be harder than I expected — mostly because every time I tried to pin down what makes him so good at what he does, he’d deflect the credit to somebody else. So here’s my best attempt anyway. If […]
Master Musicians Festival and Firehouse Subs Announce Free Admission for Pulaski & Boyle County First Responders
Firehouse Subs and MMF Launch First Responder Appreciation Program SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (June 25, 2026) — Master Musicians Festival is proud to announce a new partnership with Firehouse Subs Somerset and Danville that will provide complimentary admission to all Pulaski County and Boyle County first responders during MMF33 through the new First Responder Appreciation Program. The […]
Master Musicians Festival Announces Jack Browning As 2026 Featured Artist
International Musician And Painter Honored With 33-Year Festival Tradition SOMERSET, KY (June 23rd, 2026)— For 33 years, the Master Musicians Festival has celebrated a unique tradition that bridges music, visual art, and community by selecting a Featured Artist whose work helps tell the story of each year’s festival. The Master Musicians Festival is proud to […]
Veteran Honors Initiative Provides Kentucky Military Veterans Free Access to Master Musicians Festival
SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (June 18th, 2026) — Master Musicians Festival is proud to announce a new partnership with Lifeline Homecare that will provide complimentary admission to all Kentucky veterans during MMF33. The Veteran Honors initiative was developed by Lifeline Homecare as a way to recognize and thank the men and women who have served our country. […]
Sponsorship initiative provides graduating high school and college students free access to two-day music festival
SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (May 20, 2026) — Master Musicians Festival’s Next Generation initiative is returning for MMF33, continuing its mission to inspire and connect with the next generation of festival-goers, volunteers, artists, and community leaders through free access for graduating students. The initiative allows local businesses and organizations to sponsor graduating classes at regional schools, giving […]
Master Musicians Festival Announces 2nd Annual Young Songwriters Retreat
Full-day workshop offers immersive experience for budding musicians to learn from regional talent SOMERSET, KENTUCKY (April 6, 2026) — The Master Musicians Festival (MMF) has announced the 2nd Annual Young Songwriters Retreat, presented by Lake Cumberland Property Investments, Lake Cumberland Resort, and Discover Burnside. The retreat will take place during the 33rd Annual Master Musicians […]
Master Musicians Festival Announces 33rd Annual Lineup Featuring Headliner Trampled By Turtles
Festival Returns July 17–18 with Genre-Spanning Lineup and the Return of Classical Night SOMERSET, KY (December 18, 2025) — The Master Musicians Festival is thrilled to unveil the full artist lineup for its 33rd annual festival, taking place July 17–18, 2026, at the Somerset Community College Festival Field in Somerset, KY. Leading this year’s bill […]
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 […]