PERFORMING ARTS CREATOR KENTUCKY Martha Redbone, Vocalist/Songwriter (Harlan) Award-winning Native and African American vocalist, songwriter, compos-er and educator Martha Redbone is known for her magnificent voice and mesmerizing stage presence. Having grown up with her grandparents in Harlan County, she brings the melodies of Kentucky into her music. “I incorporate the sounds of music from Appalachia from the various styles of folk music that surrounded me as a child – blues, country, rock and R&B,” she says. Her recent work “Bone Hill: The Concert” – in collaboration with her husband, composer/pianist/producer Aaron Whitby – is a mesmerizing work of interdisciplinary musical theater inspired by the lives of Martha’s family in the hills of coal-mining Appalachia. Now based in New York City, Martha and her band perform across the country but make a point to play a few concerts in Kentucky every year. No matter where Martha is, though, her music is alive with the sounds of the Bluegrass State. “I believe our music transcends bound-aries and tells the full story of Kentucky’s rich culture from all the people who I descend from. And it honors our rich ancestry of Native, European and African American roots, reminding us of how connected we have always been in and around Harlan County.” SCAN TO WATCH Kentucky artists in action! “Cornbread and Tortillas” at HomeGrown HideAways , Berea kentuckytourism.com 25
The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide The Official Kentucky Visitor's Guide 2023: Page 25
