Weekend Recap: Candi Jenkins, Gatton Park and Burl County Fair

Candi Jenkins performs at T. Higdon Studio on Aug. 21, 2025. Photo by Alexandria Smith Photogrpahy

With everything from single release parties to park grand openings and a honky tonk-infused fair, this past weekend was one to remember in the world of Kentucky music. Get caught up on all the action below.

Candi Jenkins at T. Higdon Studio

With an all-star band behind her that featured Josh Nolan (guitar), Anna Blanton (fiddle), John Clay (drums), J. Tom Hnatow (bass) and her father (harmonica), Candi Jenkins celebrated the release of her fourth single “Fayette County” in style Thursday night at T. Higdon Studio.

The event, which also served as a premiere party for the single’s music video set to drop in a couple weeks, began with an abbreviated solo set from Nolan, who’s Springsteen-esque voice rattled off originals like “Lady Luck” and “East Ky Skyline.”

But after that it was Candi and company’s time to shine, which she more than obliged with an opening rendition of “God Don’t Care.” From there the newly minted Nashville native tackled a mix of released and unreleased songs like “Cowboys For Fools,” “Cheap Entertainment,” “Bills & Boys,” “Candi Land” and of course, ‘“Fayette County.” However, the biggest surprise of the show came with it’s only cover — a reimagining of the Tanya Tucker classic “Delta Dawn” that fit in perfect with Candi’s catalog of lays about lost love.

It was hotter than the devil’s d*** on fire at Gatton Park’s grand opening on Saturday, but the music emanating from it’s CommonSpirit Health Stage was even hotter. Festivities got started in the early afternoon with a set from DeBraun Thomas, who joined me on the radio earlier this week. After leaning into an elongated jam on “Lando,” one of two singles released this year from his forthcoming album, the California transplant dusted off a handful of cuts from 2015’s debut All My Colors Are Blind like “Broke In Denver,” “Bourbon Tears.”

Through it all it felt like the singer hadn’t skipped a beat despite having a very sporadic gig schedule in recent years. That being said, his Saturday show was another reminder of Thomas’ true talent and how lucky we all are to have him as a part of our Lexington and Kentucky music scenes.

Later in the afternoon Mama Said String Band — one of only a couple non-Lexington groups to play at the grand opening — captivated the audience with their tight harmonies, choreographed dance moves and sweet and savory pickin’ on songs like “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” and “SnowDrops.”

The last act I saw take the stage at Gatton Park before I skedaddled over to the Burl County Fair was Joslyn & The Sweet Compression. Seeing the neo-soul collective again was both a long time coming and an emotional journey. It was my first time seeing Joslyn since her stepfather and guitarist Marty Charters lost his battle with brain cancer nearly three years ago.

Marty was not only one of the finest musicians around, but also one of the best people you’d ever meet, PERIOD. In my early days as a journalist I don’t recall anyone outside of my own family being as supportive of my work and journey as Marty.

Although the news of his passing came as a complete shock, I’m glad that Joslyn has continued to carry on with her and Marty’s shared love of music in his absense. Getting to hear favorites like “Love On The Double” and “Honeybee” again was a full circle moment that felt like a walk back into another part of my life where those songs previously lived. Getting to hear them and see Joslyn again was an absolute treat and something I look forward to hopefully doing again a lot more moving forward.

With an electrifying interpretation and appreciation for old-time music, it’s no wonder why The Local Honeys have become one of the most beloved and sought after acts in all of Kentucky. The group led by Linda Jean Stokley and Montana Hobbs reinforced that thought and then some with a mesmerizing hour of music featuring originals like “Dead Horses,” “Hills Of Mexico” and “Cigarette Trees.”

And capping off my full menu of weekend music was the final Lexington concert (for now) from Town Mountain, who a couple weeks ago announced they’d cease touring when their current run of shows concludes in October. Regardless of the circumstances, the bittersweet occurrence quickly turned jubilant once the band jumped into the fiery opener “Revelry” and continued throughout the career-spanning set.

Other songs making appearances included the foot-stompin’ Robert Greer anthem “Lines In The Levee,” the introspective and coming of age “Comeback Kid’“ from Phil Barker, the George Jones-esque “Whiskey With Tears” and a capture of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m On Fire.”

Then for an encore (and final goodbye) the Asheville-based group returned to the stage to tackle fan favorite song “Law Dog” along with “Big Decisions” and “Down Low.” If this was truly the end for Town Mountain, it was one helluva way to go out!

Live Menu Aug. 25-31

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes at Levitt Amp Middlesboro

When: Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: 2005 Cumberland Ave, Middlesboro

Online: Facebook.com

Two-time IBMA Fiddler Of The Year Bronwyn Keith-Hynes will perform cuts from her GRAMMY nominated record I Built A World and more during an appearance in Middlesboro Thursday as part of the town’s free-to-attend Levitt Amp concert series.

The picker has previously performed as a member of Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway and Mile Twelve and is married to Kentucky fiddle maestro Jason Carter, who we’ve covered on this newsletter extensively.

Daniel Donato at Manchester Music Hall

When: Aug. 29 at 8 p.m.

Where: 899 Manchester St, Lexington

Online: ManchesterMusicHall.com

Daniel Donato, fresh off last week’s release of Horizons, will perform his blend of heady, (Grateful) dead-y cosmic country at Manchester Music Hall in Lexington on Friday. Previously scheduled for April 25, the show will be Donato’s first performance in Central Kentucky since headlining the Moonshiner’s Ball in Rockcastle County last October.

Manchester Music Festival

When: Aug. 28-30

Where: Downtown Manchester

Online: ManchesterMusicFest.com

For the last several years one of Kentucky’s best free-to-attend music gatherings has been the Manchester Music Festival thanks to folks like tourism director and music super fan Tim Parks, and this year is no exception. The three-day event will showcase the likes of Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays, The Creekers, Scott T. Smith and others during it’s opening two days.

But the most magic will be happening on Saturday with an all-day lineup you don’t want to miss with Bill Taylor & The Appalachian Heatherns, Emily Jamerson, Abe Partridge, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Taylor Hunnicutt and Brent Cobb all set to take the stage.

Alley Fest Music Festival at Archer Park

When: Aug. 29-31

Where: 66 Archer Park Rd, Prestonsburg

Online: AlleyFestKy.com

Following a last minute move from the Paintsville airport to Archer Park in Prestonsburg, Alley Fest is set to blast off this weekend with it’s biggest and boldest lineup of music yet. Taking the stage will be Old Crow Medicine Show along with a slew of Commonwealth favorites like The Kentucky Headhunters, Nicholas Jamerson & The Morning Jays, Cole Chaney, Abby Hamilton, Bee Taylor and many more.

Grayson Jenkins, Emily Jamerson at Boonedog’s