The Edmonson County Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting for the grand opening The Mohawk Center, featuring Little Dumplin's Boutique, The Hive Hair & Company, and Body & Mind Massage.

The Mohawk Center now features Airbnb rentals upstairs and commercial spaces throughout the bottom floor after a recent remodeling.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 11am, and open hours for each business will be 12-4pm.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The Spring 2024 Tour for blues/rock giant Joe Bonamassa kicked off Monday night at the Louisville Palace theater in downtown Louisville, KY. The concert was the first of 19 shows throughout the eastern U.S. region that ends in mid-March, just before the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Caribbean Cruise.

The sold-out show had folks waiting down 4th Street in Louisville on both sides of the theater entrance as patrons shoved their way to the metal detectors and ticket stalls.

The Louisville Palace is a stunning venue that gives show-goers an authentic vintage feel and a ceiling dimly lit in dark blue that feels like the sky. The 2,800 seats were full with fans paying close attention to the virtuoso and his incredible band.

Of course, with musicians of this caliber, words like "stunning," "incredible," and "amazing" are too often used but it's really difficult to truly describe the level of talent, musicanship, and straight-up entertainment that was on display Monday night in Louisville.

Bonamassa opened up the show with cuts from his latest album, "Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2," a nod to the twenty-year anniversary of his first album, "Blues Deluxe." The former was produced by Josh Smith, who is also Joe's accompanying guitarist that blistered concert attendees last night in his own right. The first tune was "Hope You Realize it (Goodbye Again)" written by Bonamassa and Tom Hambridge, and is probably my favorite on the record. It's a funk-shuffle groove with a driving rhythm and bass line. Joe wasted no time getting to the guitar work, playing his custom model '63 Epiphone SG.

Throughout the show, he would switch to a sunburst Les Paul, and ES335, his '51 Nocaster (Bludgeon), a Strat, what I first thought to be a Gibson Explorer, but was actually a Hamer, and then a wine red Tele to close out the show. Joe has said all guitars used in shows are from his world renown vintage collection that is like none other.

He didn't talk much, but his fingers sure did. Not just his fingers, but all of Bonamassa was somehow able to access every bit of life available out of his guitars and amps. He quipped about his suit and told the audience it was only $49 at Sears and Roebuck from their "Action Suit" line. He was very complimentary of his band throughout the entire night, not just by their flattering introductions, but by constantly pointing to each member after a solo and encouraging the audience to show their appreciation, which they gladly did.

His band featured Smith on guitar, Lamar Carter on drums, Calvin Turner on bass, legendary Hall of Fame keyboardist Reese Wynans, and back up singers Jade McCray and Danielle De Andrea. Unfortunately, I did not catch the third singer's name.

Bonamassa introduced Wynans after everyone else and instructed the crowd to specifically stand up and applaud him. Wynans has played for just about every big name you can imagine and toured with Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. The 76 year-old did not disappoint, playing multiple keyboards at once, on multiple songs. The spinning inside his Leslie cabinet flickered in the lights throughout the night.

In our earlier interview, I asked Joe what would he say to those that might not know his music, and he simply said, "If you know, you know." And to someone who has been touring for 35 years, it was a fairly dumb question. But to your average music fan (standard commercial radio in your vehicle) most would say something like, "I'm not into blues--it's the same thing over and over." To me, what is most impressive about Bonamassa is that although he's known as king in the world of blues, his music and shows are anything but your typical three chord, 12 bar blues. He and his band are constantly throwing unexpected things at the crowd and listener that are always right in place.

He routinely would smoke a solo with the band on level 10, then immediately pull the emergency brake and use techniques like he was caring for a baby to make soft, subtle sounds that I'm still unsure of how they were made. 

He discussed his band in our previous interview and described them as those who "speak all the languages." That they did. Each one shared blistering solos that showcased their individualism and creativity but never broke loose from the locked down band unit.

With his massive song catalogue, I was curious as to how his set list would appear but the 12 songs were as good of a mix as anyone could ask for, including his cover of ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid," that morphed into Led Zepplin's "Dazed and Confused." I'm pretty sure the volcanic energy from the band placed stress fractures in the ceiling throughout the theater.

Their encore song was "Mountain Time," a Bonamassa original that goes back to the early days of his touring. The performance was flawless and the peak-and-valley dynamics of the song kept it true to its title. At the band's shutting of the door on the final D chord, two hours had somehow passed, and it somehow actually felt like we were on mountain time at the moment.

The staff at the Palace was great and I picked up a groovy "Bonamassa Guitars" black mesh cap on the way out.

Tickets are available here for future shows that include an upcoming performance at the Ryman during the summer tour later this year.

By Representative Michael Lee Meredith:
Wrapping up yet another week in Frankfort in the 2024 Regular Session, we have officially surpassed the halfway mark. We now have less than 30 legislative working days to conclude our business for the year, and pass even more legislation to make Kentucky even stronger.
 
One of those measures, HB 563, was filed Thursday, and would create a first of its kind framework for funding water infrastructure improvements that many of our communities desperately need. This measure would create two distinct revolving loan funds. The first, the Kentucky Waste Waters Fund, a loan pool modeled after the successful Kentucky Product Development Initiative would target troubled, economically-struggling systems that do not qualify for grants or loans through existing programs. Additionally, HB 563 creates the Emergency Kentucky Waste Waters Fund. Similar to the other fund, the emergency revolving loan fund would provide capital to systems during a state of emergency in order to restore utility service. This legislation would ensure millions in funding for water and waste water infrastructure reaches the state’s most troubled water districts, and I look forward to considering this bill in the weeks to come.
 
Further enhancing our elections: Members of the Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee approved HB 53 this week. This measure would revise the election verification process in all 120 counties, establishing a publicly visible hand-counted ballot process to ensure full integrity in our elections.
 
Strengthening our families: Members of the Families and Children Committee considered several incredibly important pieces of legislation in their last meeting starting with HB 105, which establishes the Mentorship for At-Risk Male Students Grant Program, the Responsible Father Initiative Grant Program, and requires the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to identify children that are involved with both systems of care and provide a report to the General Assembly each year that includes actions taken by both agencies to better serve these children. It also adds promotion of father engagement activities as part of the Kentucky HANDS Program. Next, they considered HB 367, which would prohibit the state from taking certain actions regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP) including increasing the eligibility standards for participation in the program, granting non-cash, in kind, or other benefits to individuals in the program unless those individuals are eligible for those benefits under a different program, exempting individuals from the gross income and financial resources standards for benefits, applying for, seeking accepting, or renewing any waiver of work requirements for able bodied adults without dependents. It would remove the provisions that allow the Cabinet to waive certain requirements within the SNAP program without obtaining authorization from the General Assembly.
 
Teacher Recruitment and Retention/HB 377: This measure establishes the Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program and the Student Teacher Stipend Program. The Teacher Recruitment Student Loan Forgiveness Pilot Program provides that students accepted into an eligible program will be eligible to receive $5,000 per semester, and those who have declared a major in an eligible program will be able to receive up to $2,500 per semester. Students who accept these awards will be required to teach in the state for one year for each semester award accepted. Students accepted into the Student Teacher Stipend Program will be eligible to receive up to a $5,000 stipend during the academic term in which the student is a student teacher.
 
Protecting Students from Abusive Conduct/HB 275: This bill prohibits school districts from signing nondisclosure agreements with faculty accused of abusive conduct toward a student. The measure also instructs schools to investigate all allegations of abusive conduct until a conclusion is reached. Additionally, HB 275 requires school districts to conduct reference checks with past school districts of teaching applicant. Past school districts must disclose all records of abusive conduct of an individual to the districts hiring the new personnel. HB 275 was approved by the House and now awaits consideration in the Senate.
 
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via e-mail at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.

Click the ad to apply by email:

Edmonson Voice Report:
Employees at Peoples Bank recently made a donation to the Edmonson County Senior Pantry in the amount of $9,755. The check was presented last week to Vickie Walker, pantry coordinator.

The Edmonson County Senior Pantry provides aid to limited-income seniors,  ages 60 and older. Residents can receive canned and dry goods, personal hygiene products, and more from the food pantry located inside of the Brownsville Community Center.

Peoples Bank’s donation to help further the organization’s mission was made possible through its "Jeans for Hunger" program where associates can wear jeans to the office on Fridays and Saturdays in exchange for a donation of any amount.

During the 2023 fourth quarter, associates collectively donated $48,775 to local food banks and pantries across the company’s footprint. Since Jeans for Hunger began in April 2020, associates have donated a total of $504,021.

Kevin Eagan, Chief Marketing Officer of Peoples Bank, stated, “We are honored that our associates prioritize the importance of impacting our communities. They are the backbone of PEBO, and they take care of each other, our clients and our communities. We are very thankful for each and every associate.”

For more information on Peoples Bank, visit pebo.com. To receive services from the Edmonson County Senior Pantry, call 270-779-1203.

Edmonson Voice Report:
The Edmonson County 5th grade Academic Team competed in the District Governor’s Cup Competition on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The group earned medals in each category where they competed. 
 
Earning awards were:

Science -
4th place  Josh Stice
2nd place  Caroline Keown
 
Social Studies - 
4th place Jesse Denham
1st place Madison Smith
 
Language Arts - 
3rd place (tie): Bethany Turner, Lincoln Hughes
 
Math - 
4th place (tie): Jesse Denham, Case Sowders
3rd place: Lincoln Hughes
 
Arts & Humanities - 
4th place: Jax Cook
2nd place: Anthony Beach
1st place: Alex Beach

In addition, the Quick Recall Team placed 2nd and the team won 2nd place overall. The team will now move on to compete in the regional tournament on March 23rd.

Edmonson Voice Special Feature, Darren Doyle, story:
When you talk about listening to blues music, most conversations tend to lean toward B.B. King, Howlin' Wolf, or Eric Clapton, but for music fans that know the name Joe Bonamassa, they are constantly entertained and wowed at the blues giant's incredible music and ability.

Over the course of his career, which started at age 12 when he opened for B.B. King, Bonamassa has earned three Grammy nominations and with the release of his latest studio album "Blues Deluxe, Vol. 2," which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Chart, it marked Joe's 27th #1 debut. That is more #1 debuts than any other artist on the Billboard Blues Chart. He also has recorded 15 studio albums, with 11 of them reaching the #1 spot.

Bonamassa also has one of the most extensive vintage guitar and amplifier collections in the entire world. It has been most recently said he has over 600 guitars and more than 100 amps. He regularly plays them at home and on the road. They are regular features of his popular social media accounts, which are funny, down-to-earth, and entertaining in their own rights.

In preparation for his 19-date US Spring Tour, which is bringing him up and down the east coast and kicks off in Louisville on February 19th at the Louisville Palace, we were fortunate enough to have a phone call and interview with Joe himself.

DD: What do you do before a tour and how do you prepare for each one?

JB: We start rehearsals next week, and especially at the beginning, you try to figure out what songs you want to put in, anything new, old, you know, otherwise. Generally, you look at it from when did we play the market the last time? It is a different opener, a different closer, but you know, luckily with a spreadsheet, you can look those things up. That's kind of what you do beforehand, you just make sure you're not playing the same show.

Joe said over his 35-year playing career he's probably done around 30-40 shows in Kentucky, with several in the Louisville and Lexington area.

DD: When talking about your band, and for this tour, what's the process of putting that together, and what's it like touring with these folks?

JB: I'm very lucky to have a crack band and they can do anything, you know. They speak all the languages, and that's a big thing. Since my catalog is pretty vast, from straight blues to progressive rock, the fact they can speak all the languages is important.

DD: Your guitar collection is probably the best in the world and when you talk about guitars and amps, what goes into selecting the gear that you take on tour? You obviously have plenty from which to choose.

JB: Well, there's two rigs. We have to leap frog a lot of times, gear-wise. All the guitars are vintage. The thing is, for me, you need a couple of Strats, a couple of Telecasters, a couple of Les Pauls, a couple of 335s, and you can get it done, you know what I mean? That's important because people come to see the shows because they want to see a real sunburst Les Paul, and they ARE real sunburst Les Pauls.

DD: I've noticed your pedal board isn't as extensive as a lot of guys out there playing; yours seems very simple. What can we expect to see on your board out here on the tour?

JB: This is a multi-amp rig, so basically, it's a Cry Baby Wah-Wah pedal, it's a booster, and a delay. That's it. Maybe a Leslie, I have a Leslie.

DD: In terms of your extensive guitar and amp collection, which you said a lot of times that the gear finds you, instead of you finding the gear, what do you look for when adding to that collection?

JB: What I'm looking for, and my collection is so vast, it's gotta be something I can play live, you know, immediately--or, a unicorn. Meaning, that it's so rare that you could collect three lifetimes and never see one. And that comes to me more than you think.

DD: I've heard you say multiple times that you're not really a singer, but as a trained singer myself, I can tell you that's not accurate. Your pitch and control is phenomenal. You obviously take care of your fingers but what do you do on the road to take care of your voice? A Joe Bonamassa concert is not the same without the voice.

JB. It is not the same, and I sing more than I play. You know, singing is the hardest thing you do every day when you're on the road. It just is. But also, you have to learn how to sing. There's not a lot of singers that can sing their whole careers and not know, fundamentally, what they're doing. Because the muscle changes, your body changes, everything changes over the years, and what you can do when you're 22, you can't do when your 42. I learned how to sing when I was about 30 when I went into heavy training, and I sing higher now than when I was 22, because I learned how to use it.

DD: Do you avoid certain foods and weather? How about allergies and things like that, or do you just grin a bear it?

JB: You gotta try and stay healthy. Obviously a head cold is a major, major problem. But just on a daily basis, if you're feeling good, you just want to use the technique and channel the head voice. You don't have to push as hard people think.

DD: To someone that's not familiar with Joe Bonamassa's music, what would you tell them to get them to come out to the Louisville show or this tour?

JB: I mean, I been doing this for so long, if you know, you know. That's the thing. We've had pretty good success over the year. To sell 9 million records in different genres is hard to do. So, you know, for me, if you know, you know and if you don't, you don't.

DD: What's it like touring with Joe Bonamassa? Is everyone on the same bus? Does everyone do their own thing?

JB: No, there are four buses, three semi-trucks and 32 people. So...it's involved.

DD: I'm looking forward to the Louisville show and I'll be in the orchestra pit taking photos for the first portion of the show. Maybe you can hit me in the head with a pick or something and I'll try to get some photos of that.

JB: I'll try. I'll try to have some good aim.

Stay connected to the Voice to read the full concert review of the February 19th show in Louisville. We'll have all the details, in addition our own photos.

To purchase tickets for the Louisville show on February 19th, click here

Click the ad to call for an appointment:

Looking for a little peace and quiet? Want to be within minutes of Nolin Lake, and still have enough property to hunt and enjoy all year long? Then look no further! This adorable cottage was built in 2003, and hosts priceless views of the stocked pond with fountain, and surrounding woodlands.

Complete with a storm shelter, large workshop/shed, and a detached pole barn styled garage with 3 oversized bays, there's plenty of room for storage, or additional living space. Contact listing agent for your private showing. Seller willing to finance with agreed upon terms.

Located at 980 Oklahoma Rd, Bee Spring, KY 42207.

Click here for the complete listing with pricing and photos!