Kentucky Music Round-Up: May 17-23, 2025
New Music From Chris Stapleton, The Local Honeys, And Jeremy Pinnell; Opry Appearances, Tornado Benefit Concerts, And More!
Welcome back to Wick’s Picks! Below you’ll find a recap of new music and other headlines from the past week of Kentucky music. You can listen to a year-long playlist of all the songs featured on these round-ups on Spotify and Apple Music.
New Music
The Kentucky Gentlemen - “To The Moon“ (feat. Brittney Spencer)
Versailles born brotherly duo The Kentucky Gentlemen conjure up smooth R&B vibes with an assist from Brittney Spencer on “To The Moon,” the latest offering from their forthcoming album Rhinestone Revolution dropping June 6. The result is an exhilarating power ballad that leans into more of a 90’s country aesthetic compared to much of the group’s other pop-tinged recordings.
The Local Honeys - “Darlin’ Don’t You Know That’s Wrong“
The Local Honeys conjure up Tyler Childers’ “House Fire” esque vibes on “Darlin’ Don’t You Know That’s Wrong,’ the Eastern Kentucky collective’s first new music since 2022’s self-titled album.
The banjo hymnal is an old tune penned by Gilmore, Ky.’s Addie Graham in the early 1900s that Montana Hobbs and Linda Jean Stokley thrust into the 21st century while continuing to hold up the traditional elements it embodies in the highest regard.
Mama Said String Band - “SnowDrops“
Mama Said String Band sing about the unpredictability of others — and ourselves — on the band’s introspective and improvisational new single,” SnowDrops.” The song is the Louisville based group’s second single of 2025 following February’s “Numb Goodbyes” as they build momentum ahead of next week’s appearance in Lexington at Railbird Festival alongside Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Shaboozey and others.
Jeremy Pinnell - “Save You”
Northern Kentucky’s Jeremy Pinnell sings about a drug-riddled love story and road to redemption on the Shooter Jennings produced “Save You.” The single is his first new studio material since 2021’s Goodbye L.A., likely meaning that even more is just around the corner from the former Ameripolitan Music Award winner.
Ratty Dishes - “Service Chicken”
This comedic country rap from Kentucky born and Nashville based songwriters Aaron Raitiere and Jon Decious — known collectively as Ratty Dishes — shows off the less serious side of the prolific duo that’s penned over 100 songs together, including cuts from Lainey Wilson (“4X4XU,” “Ring Finger”) and Miranda Lambert (“Armadillo”).
Dakota Saylor - “Letterbomb“
After over a decade of performing Harlan, Ky.’s Dakota Saylor today dropped his debut single, “Letterbomb.” The twangy country and bluegrass tune paints a picture of small town melancholy and places and people that are no longer filling your cup, a fary cry from the alternative rock scene he first began making waves in during the mid 2010’s.
Chris Stapleton - “Bad As I Used To Be”
Chris Stapleton steers into rock n’roll territory on “Bad As I Used To Be,” his first single since dropping “Think I’m In Love With You” feat. Dua Lipa last May. The song is set to be included in Jerry Bruckheimer’s new film F1 starring Brad Pitt that hits theatres June 27.
Other News & Notes
On last week’s season finale of American Idol Louisa, Ky.’s Noah Thompson returned to the program for the first time since being crowned champion in 2022. While there judge Carrie Underwood surprised him by announcing he’d been invited to make his Grand Ole Opry debut, which will take place on May 31.
In the aftermath of last week’s tornados across Russell, Pulaski and Laurel Counties several benefit concerts have been organized. Among them are a show featuring Arthur Hancock and John Looney at Stoney Point Jamboree in Paris on May 26; and a May 27 show at The Virginia in Somerset featuring the likes of Sundy Best, Hunter Flynn and Cody Lee Meece. Stay tuned for a full rundown of shows in an article I’m currently putting together for the Lexington Herald-Leader.
On May 22 AlleyFest unveiled the remainder of the lineup for it’s shindig coming to Combs Airport in Paintsville from Aug. 29-31. Additions include Maddox Batson, John Foster and the Kentucky Headhunters.
Also on May 22, Murray native S.G. Goodman announced she’d be returning to the Grand Ole Opry on for the second time ever on July 2, less than two weeks after the release of her album Planting By The Signs (out June 20).
New Bylines
“At the end of the day, people just enjoy fishing. It’s not like we’re asking them to go get their teeth pulled or something. The fact that we’re helping to encourage the future generation of musicians in the process makes it all the better.” — Arthur Hancock on being a Can’d Aid Music Ambassador and hosting it’s Fishin’ With A Musician initiative at Stone Farm in Paris ( for the Lexington Herald-Leader).
I talked Kentucky tornados, Sleeping In The Woods, The Voice, new music (which we also heard some of) and much more with London, Ky.’s Jordan Allen on this week’s episode of Wick’s Picks on The Hound.
“Raitiere’s success — both in songwriting circles and on the stage Saturday night — are prime examples that the best way to succeed in life is by being 100% you every step of the way, no matter how weird things may get at times.” — an excerpt about Aaron Raitiere’s performance last weekend at Sleeping In The Woods in my review right here on Substack.
Wick’s Picks Podcast
Next week on the show I’ll be joined by Central Kentucky singer-songwriter Eric Bolander. Tune in via 96.1 Hound FM, The Hound mobile app or HoundFM.com on May 28 at 7 p.m. ET.
