New Kentucky Country Festival Reveals Headliners Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Little Big Town

Independent festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents has added a third edition to its fall festival series in Louisville, Kentucky. Hometown Rising, a country music and bourbon festival, will make its debut Saturday, Sept. 14 and Sunday, Sept. 15 at Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center, combining two of Louisville’s cultural cornerstones—music and bourbon.

Hometown Rising’s music lineup will be led by country heavyweights including Luke Bryan, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, and Little Big Town with additional appearances from Dwight Yoakam, Brett Young, Lindsay Ell, Kassi Ashton, Gabby Barrett, Clare Dunn, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Jenkins, Hannah Ellis and Kendall Shaffer. In total, more than 30 artists will play on three stages, including two side-by-side main stages, over the course of the weekend.

Hometown Rising will be followed by two consecutive weekends of festivals including Bourbon & Beyond (Sept. 20-22) and Louder Than Life (Sept. 27-29). Fans can purchase a special “Trifesta” Pass for the discounted rate of only $229.00 plus fees. The pass allows General Admission weekend access to all three DWP fall festivals in Louisville—Hometown Rising, Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life.

Fred Minnick is Hometown Rising’s official spirits curator. The event’s centerpiece, the legendary Big Bourbon Bar presented by Louisville Courier Journal, will feature more than two dozen hand-selected bourbons from top distilleries, and a unique opportunity to enjoy bourbons and exclusive one-time specialty cocktails. Fred Minnick’s Mini Bar presented by The Bourbon Women Association will showcase craft selections. Louisville whiskey bar, The Silver Dollar, will operate The Hunter’s Club, where attendees can find vintage bourbons dating as far back as the 1930s, as well as contemporary collectibles. The initial list of participating bourbon brands at Hometown Rising includes Angel’s Envy, Barrell Bourbon, Boone County, Coopers’ Craft, Elijah Craig, Evan Williams, Jim Beam, Knob Creek, Larceny, Maker’s Mark, Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, Four Roses Bourbon and Kentucky Peerless, with more to be announced.

The current music lineup for Hometown Rising is as follows (subject to change):

Saturday, September 14: Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Dwight Yoakam, [artist TBA], Frankie Ballard, The Cadillac Three, Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell, The Steel Woods, Clare Dunn, Gabby Barrett, Kassi Ashton, J.D. Shelburne, Raelyn Nelson Band, Alice Wallace, Imaj

Sunday, September 15: Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Brett Young, Jake Owen, Bret Michaels, Lauren Alaina, LoCash, Drake White and The Big Fire, The Wild Feathers, Mason Ramsey, Noah Guthrie, Everette, Lauren Jenkins, Jeffrey East, Hannah Ellis, Kendall Shaffer

Hometown Rising exclusive VIP packages, General Admission tickets, camping and hotel packages, as well as special event tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 15 at 12:00 PM EDT.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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