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 is Trampled by Turtles, one of the most influential and electrifying forces in modern Americana and progressive bluegrass.
Formed in Duluth, Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles came together in 2003 after frontman Dave Simonett lost his gear to theft during a show with his previous band. Left with only an acoustic guitar, Simonett gathered a group of musicians who were newcomers to bluegrass—fiddler Ryan Young, bassist Tim Saxhaug, mandolinist Erik Berry, and banjoist Dave Carroll—to explore a raw, acoustic-driven approach inspired by folk, bluegrass, and the energy of rock & roll. The band quickly built a distinctive sound defined by speed, precision, emotional depth, and genre-defying arrangements. Their widespread appeal has taken every album they have released to the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Bluegrass Chart and earned them celebrated appearances at Coachella, ACL Fest, and Lollapalooza. They have toured alongside artists including Shakey Graves, Zach Bryan, Wilco, Caamp, Mt. Joy, Willie Nelson, The Avett Brothers, and Lord Huron, cultivating a passionate and dedicated fanbase. Their most recent album, Alpenglow, was produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, and 2025 launched with the band’s captivating cover of Bon Iver’s “From Emma,” featuring Caamp’s Taylor Meier on lead vocals. Additional collaborations are expected as the band continues building momentum heading into the 2026 festival season
Reappearing on the lineup are The Creekers, one of Eastern Kentucky’s most compelling rising bands. With members from Leslie County and beyond, including Tanner Horton, Allen Hacker, Jagger Bowling, Ashton Bowling, Scott Sutton, and fiddler Anna Blanton, The Creekers fuse bluegrass roots with modern country and recognizable pop influences. Their high-energy performances and growing regional fanbase have earned them support slots alongside Cole Chaney, Nicholas Jamerson, Brother Smith, and Rhonda Vincent, solidifying their reputation as a band on the brink of wider recognition.
Also appearing on this year’s lineup is Cigarettes @ Sunset, a five-piece band forging their own musical identity with a fearless sound they proudly call Possum Rock. Rooted in Appalachian heritage and raised among the rugged landscapes of Boone, North Carolina, the band—fronted by Garrett Dellinger on rhythm guitar and vocals, alongside Wells Whitman on bass, Ethan Moore on drums, Sarah Vann on violin and vocals, and Ryland Bagbey on lead guitar—weaves Americana, indie, Appalachian folk, and rock into a soulful, textured, and undeniably fresh sonic experience. Their performances blend fiddle-driven melodies, gritty electric tones, and emotionally charged songwriting into something that feels both ancient and new.
In addition to these artists, the 33rd Annual Master Musicians Festival presents a wide-ranging lineup that reflects both the depth of Kentucky’s music scene and the festival’s long-standing commitment to musical diversity. Audiences will experience the funk–soul presence of Joslyn & The Sweet Compression; gritty, roots-driven rock of DeeOhGee; the atmospheric folk-rock stylings of Smilo & The Ghost; and the lively neo-traditional bluegrass of Mama Said String Band. Cam Clark & His Orchestra brings a blend of Western swing and contemporary country, while Jack Browning offers his signature alt-country edge. The weekend also includes performances by singer-songwriter Jordan Lee King, Appalachian folk duo Them Lasses, Americana storyteller Josh Mitcham, country-soul vocalist Donovan Howard, and rising Americana artist Logan Purcell. Additional artists include the roots-rock pulse of Jeremy & The Spawn, the indie-jam spirit of The Catdaddies, and the alternative creativity of Pedestryans. MMF’s annual Young Songwriters showcase will again highlight emerging Kentucky talent, featuring Addy Conner, Brandon Denny, Dalton Dailey, Emma Hansman, and Hunter Daniels.
This year, the Master Musicians Festival also marks the return of Classical Night, a long-running tradition that brings orchestral performance to the heart of downtown Somerset. Scheduled for Thursday evening, July 16, at The Virginia Theater, Classical Night will feature Bee Taylor performing with the Lexington Philharmonic String Quartet. Taylor, who received the Light of Somerset award in November on that same stage from Somerset Mayor Alan Keck, returns to The Virginia for a special evening that expands the festival’s reach across genres and venues. Separate tickets for this performance will go on sale in January.
“This year’s lineup reflects what Master Musicians Festival has always been about, bringing together artists who are exceptional at what they do and presenting music that spans genres, generations, and traditions,” said MMF Executive Director Tiffany Finley. “Having Trampled by Turtles headline alongside such a strong mix of regional and national artists, and welcoming back Classical Night at The Virginia, makes this a really special year for the festival.”
Tickets for the 33rd Master Musicians Festival will go on sale at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18. As always, children 12 and younger are admitted free with a ticket-holding adult.