Gov. Beshear Creates Office To Support Live Music, Highlight Kentucky’s Music Legacy

New office will support commonwealth's music industry and build on its musical legacy

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2026) - Gov. Andy Beshear joined state officials and music industry leaders today onstage at Bourbon & Beyond to announce the Governor's Office of Music, a new office dedicated to highlighting Kentucky's storied music legacy and to supporting Kentucky artists, venues, festivals and music businesses. Prior to the announcement, the Governor signed an executive order creating the office to continue the commonwealth's leadership in music for generations to come.

"Music is a part of who we are in Kentucky. We are proud of our musical heritage - from Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn to Tyler Childers and Chris Stapleton," said Gov. Beshear. "I created the Office of Music because Team Kentucky wants to make sure our commonwealth remains a place where musicians can build a career, where venues and festivals can thrive and where people can come together to enjoy great music."

The executive order makes Kentucky just the second state with an office dedicated to supporting musicians and the music industry. His executive action launched the website kymusic.ky.gov, which includes the Kentucky Music Industry Directory as a resource to connect artists, venues, business leaders and more to fuel ongoing collaboration and growth. Kentucky artists, venues, music businesses and festivals are encouraged to register on the Kentucky Music Industry Directory.

Gov. Beshear appointed Sebastian Kitchen, deputy secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, to serve as executive director of the Governor's Office of Music.

"Gov. Beshear's action today is a win for our artists and our economy, energizing both with support for our musicians, venues and festivals - which are economic engines for their communities and for the commonwealth," said Kitchen. "In such a divided time, music brings people together, as we see these two weeks as hundreds of thousands of people come together in Kentucky to listen to music, enjoy our world-class hospitality, stay in our hotels and experience all of the reasons that make Kentucky such a great place to visit, live and work."

The Governor's Office of Music, working with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, has also designed a "Kentucky: Sounds Like Home" license plate, which will be available soon, to celebrate the commonwealth's music legacy.

Kentucky's music industry needs the institutional support necessary to cultivate talent, foster growth and build connections. While Kentucky has been a leader in music in the United States and around the world, the music industry has changed dramatically, creating ongoing challenges for musicians, venues, festivals and businesses.

Kentucky's arts industry, including music, has a $6.9 billion economic impact, supporting over 51,000 jobs, boosting economic development and creating opportunities in every corner of the commonwealth.

The music industry, including live music, ripples through the Kentucky economy.

The independent live entertainment industry in Kentucky generates $577.3 million in economic output, $300 million in state gross domestic product and $27.8 million in tax revenue, employing 1,757 people and supporting 4,413 jobs, with $169 million in wages and benefits, according to the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). Music fans attending independent shows generated $88 million in off-site spending in 2024 alone, including $73.4 million on lodging, $7.7 million at restaurants and bars, $3.8 million in shopping, and $2.1 million on gas, parking and transportation, according to NIVA. Those venues served more than 2.1 million people.

Music has generated economic activity and tax revenue, created jobs and improved quality of life by providing more options and opportunities for culture and entertainment - giving people more reasons to visit, work and live in Kentucky.

Kentucky's arts industry contributes to the commonwealth's $14.6 billion tourism industry.

Earlier this year, Gov. Beshear announced that 2025 was Kentucky tourism's best year on record, marking four consecutive record-breaking years for the industry and supporting 96,993 jobs.

To capitalize on Kentucky's historic economic momentum and record-breaking tourism success, Gov. Beshear announced New Kentucky Home, a strategic initiative to further drive economic investment, attract and retain talent and increase tourism across the commonwealth.

Since the beginning of the Beshear administration, 37 tourism development projects totaling an estimated investment of $1.1 billion have received final approval. Once operational, these projects will create more than 5,000 jobs. This is the highest tourism investment figure secured during the tenure of any governor in the commonwealth's history.

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