Follow U.S. Highway 23 in Eastern Kentucky for a different family learning excursion – and be sure to bring your compact disc player. A three-CD driving tour of the Country Music Highway produced by the Kentucky Folklife Program is now available to guide your journey.
The tour, narrated by Ricky Skaggs, a Lawrence County, Ky. native, covers the 150-mile route through Kentucky from Portsmouth, Oh. on the northern end to Whitesburg, Ky. on the Virginia border. A fourth CD includes songs from country music stars who hail from points along U.S. 23.
“The narrative encourages tour-takers to stop and talk with people along the way,” says Bob Gates, director of the Kentucky Folklife Program. “We hope to eliminate some of the stereotypes surrounding the region.”
The tour passes through Ashland, Paintsville, Prestonsburg and Pikeville. A guidebook accompanies the CD set and includes maps and travel tips. $24.99 (not including postage).
Information: 1-877-444-7867 or 502/564-1792, bob.gates@ky.gov.
—Gail Fleenor
