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Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
Thumbpickin' Organizations
This page is a tribute
to all the thumb pickers, support organizations and supporters in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
Historians have written that
Muhlenberg County is where the "roots" of thumb picking style of
guitar playing is from. The most notable celebrity that was born, raised,
and learned to play guitar in that area was the late Merle Travis - and was, of
course, the first NTPHF inductee. (Learn more @
"Roots"
of Thumbpickin')
There are basically three organizations that host pickin'
events:
National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame
Home of the Legends
- Central City (web information)
The Four Legends of Drakesboro
There are
some of the nicest people on the planet out in west Kentucky. We love
visiting them and supporting their events, and we are enjoying the effort of
researching information about these groups and we will make our finding
available on this page, so check back often. (Starting organizations in
Muhlenberg County doesn't seem to be a problem - writing something down about
their effort is less apparent .. We'll see what we can do about "shakin'
the bushes...8^)
Schedule
of Muhlenberg Events -
Directions
Around Muhlenberg County
(Pictures
of Aug 2005 Weekend Bash) - (2008
Mose Rager Day) - (Pictures
of 2009 Weekend Bash)
National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame (NTPHF)
The National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame was organized and
established in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky in November of 1997.
Organizers were thumb picker Eddie Pennington of Princeton, Ky, Judge/Executive
Rodney Kirtley of Greenville, KY, and historian Bobby Anderson of Beechmont, Ky.
The purpose for the NTPHF is to honor and preserve the memory
of those who practice, support and promote the art of thumb picking, and to
preserve and promote its heritage. It does this by by holding and
elaborate induction service each year to honor various categories of living and
deceased thumb pickers and supporters. And, by financing and constructing
a stage in Paradise Park (Greenville, Ky) and by purchasing many guitars to be
place in schools in Muhlenberg County to encourage youth in their endeavors to
learn to play the instrument.
Paul Moseley of Beaver Dam, Ky is currently the president of
NTPHF, Rodney Kirtley is the vice president, and Bobby Anderson is the executive
director of hall activities. Membership is open to the public. Dues
are $15 per year for a single membership, or $25 for a man and wife. Mail
should be addressed to NTPHF, Box 132, Beechmont, Ky, or by phone or fax to
(270) 476-9029.
List of Past Inductees
Schedule of
Muhlenberg Events
Home of the Legends - Central City
This organization sponsors and holds an annual Guitar
Contest and follows that up with a great evening show of
international talent. This event is usually held in late August
every year - (check below for this year's schedule.) The contest
originally had only two categories: Thumb Picking & Open,
but they have added a third, Contemporary, recently to embrace
the newer thumb styles of Tommy Emmanuel and followers.. The
contest is open to all - just show up at Paradise Park early the
Saturday morning that it is held - and, "sign in."
Past Winners
Schedule
of Muhlenberg Events
Four Legends of Drakesboro
This organization was formed to keep the memory of three of
Drakesboro, Kentucky's most famous and influential thumb pickers alive: Kennedy
Jones, Mose Rager, Ike Everly (father of the Everly Brothers), and Merle Travis. It is
headed up by a wonderful lady by the name of Mary Rainwaters who is a native of
Drakesboro, Kentucky. She can be reached at (270) 476-8690
Schedule of
Muhlenberg Events
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