To promote and perpetuate live music by providing resources and assistance to artists and arts organizations in Lexington, Ky

This application is a collaboration between Music Live Foundation (MLF) and Tahlsound Music Festival LLC.

Music Live Foundation was founded in 2017 with a simple mission - to support live, local music in Lexington, Ky. MLF fulfilled that vision by supporting local organizations such as Lexington Music Education, Central KY Blues Society, Antagonist Productions and more with sound reinforcement and back-line equipment at no charge. MLF founder/director Ray Current made the decision in 2026 to step down as president and has asked Tahlsound to help restructure MLF for a new phase

Moving forward, MLF will still focus on its original mission but broaden its support by absorbing the Tahlsound Summer Concert Series with an eye toward cooperative management of the series with Tahlsound LLC and the ability to underwrite the series using its 501c3 status to access larger grant and funding opportunities.

Tahlsound began as an effort to showcase the diverse, musical/artisanal creativity in the Bluegrass, while simultaneously highlighting the historic Southland Drive corridor. In addition to the yearly festival, the organization programs musical performances and pop-up events at numerous Lexington venues and community events such as Southland's Farmer's Market, Southland Street Fair, Greater Gardenside Fair etc. Since its inception in 2017, Tahlsound has developed relationships with many local businesses, council members, community partners, arts organizations, neighbors, and volunteers and has featured well over 200 local artists. These relationships provide support and feedback that are imperative to the development and evolution of Tahlsound into a series of events that respond directly to the needs of the community- diverse, local, inclusive and family-friendly participation in the arts.

2020 presented new challenges to all individuals-particularly in the area of the arts. Tahlsound successfully responded to these by pivoting their format from a paid-entry two-day/two-stage event to a "free/pay-what-you-can", reservation-based monthly series – allowing for flexibility and fast response to the ever changing needs of our community. This model was a huge success and has become the model for each subsequent season of Tahsound’s Summer Concert Series. In 2027, Tahlsound plans on maintaining this same successful and impactful format- each event will be hosted on the 4th Sunday of each month (April-Sept) maintaining a “pay what you can” entry structure.

Music Live Foundation looks forward to this new relationship with Tahlsound Summer Concert Series . The established and successful collaborations that Tahlsound has built with so many local arts organizations will aid in the evolution and expansion of Music Live Foundation as it continues its efforts to support local, diverse, independent artists and cultural events.

• Performing Arts

Summary - Summarize your request in a few sentences. Begin your narrative with a single-sentence description of how much money is requested and the purpose: (Organization) requests ($X) to (support/expand/etc.) the (name of program/series/event, etc.) Project description - Provide a clear detailed description of your program. Describe the project in detail, painting a vivid picture so panelists unfamiliar with your program can envision it. What will happen? Where will the program take place? How will the program be implemented? If organization was awarded program support funds in a previous year for the same program, the applicant must identify new components or differences from prior year.

MLF requests $10,000 to assist in funding the 11th Annual 2027 Tahlsound Summer Concert Series of 5 pay-what-
you-can performances. Specifically, awarded funds will go directly to offset performer fees: a key aspect of equity, especially in arts compensation.

Tahlsound 2027 performances (generally, 3 bands or solo artists per show) will be held on the last Sunday of each month (April through August) at Oleika’s Great Lawn. Each performance focuses on providing diverse, inclusive, family-friendly events with the goal of recognizing, celebrating, and elevating local and
regional artists.

Tahlsound strives to achieve this goal by providing exemplary local concert events that are programmed with audience and performer accessibility in mind, regardless of background, socio-economic status, orientation, or disability. Through a wide range of music genres, art installations, vendors, and activities, Tahlsound events provide progressive and innovative experiences for the benefit of all participants, audience, and artists alike -- with an emphasis on professional staging, sound reinforcement, and a quality audience experience that allows for an engaging evening of musical entertainment accessible to all people.

Previous iterations of Tahlsound featured artists such as soul merchants Joslyn and the Sweet Compression, roots musicians such as The Lost Bayou Ramblers and Bee Taylor, legendary rockers like 10 Foot Pole and Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards). Co-sponsored shows with Southland Jamboree, Reggae Fest, and Bayou to the Bluegrass averaged over 1000 patrons each – bringing music from diverse and underserved communities to the forefront. Tahlsound has highlighted local student and faculty performances such as the Osland-Dailey Jazz duo, the University of KY Gamelan Ensemble, Central Music Academy, and Lexington Music Education. Our partnership, via this application, looks forward to continuing these relationships in 2027.

Before the pandemic, Tahlsound focused on a ticketed, 2-day/2-stage event. In the wake of lockdown, they adapted and became one of the first local events held in 2020 by pivoting to a series of pay-what-you-can, Covid-safe, small-scale shows. Each show featured 2-3 bands and was staged in the parking lot of Critchfield Meats Family Market, in the heart of Southland Drive. The 2021 Tahlsound Summer Concert Series continued his same format, as they believed it best showcased our commitment to providing safe and accessible events that connect local artists and audiences.

The overwhelmingly positive response from the community, and the lifting of Covid related restrictions, allowed Tahlsound to move the event back onto Oleika’s Great Lawn for all subsequent seasons. This location provides both excellent infrastructure (accommodations for space, lighting, additional parking access for vendors, covered
staging, etc.) and exposure for the Southland Corridor (local businesses, artists living in the area, etc). Tahlsound implements advance ticketing (still on a pay-what-you-can-based model) so that they can plan accordingly and offer accessible and exceptional programming for our community. MLF and Tahlsound plan to maintain this model (5 shows; last Sunday of April-September) for the 2027 season.

MLF and Tahlsound will also continue to collaborate with Lexington Art League to provide 2 booths to spotlight different visual artists each month, giving patrons a chance to engage several artistic mediums (including painting, photography and wares) and help celebrate and recognize the work of our local artisans. In addition, we hope
to partner with Lexington Music Education for a 4th year- providing an opportunity for youth musicians to perform in a real world setting. We will also continue a Kid’s Corner- staffed with child care professionals hosting programs such as a musical petting zoo, face painting, etc – as part of our shared attention toward inclusion
and access for families.

Support from LexArts via this grant will help sustain and expand 2027 Talhsound/MLF programming efforts in providing safe, inclusive, accessible, family-friendly music events.

Tahlsound’s roster of participants/performers over the years provides strong evidence for their commitment to hosting diverse artists – as showcased by aforementioned collaborations with Reggae Fest, Southland Jamboree, their “From the Bayou to the Bluegrass” event, and their booking and promotion of artists such as Sonora May, The Lost Bayou Ramblers, and LawGiver. Diversity is also evidenced by Tahlsound’s dedication to seeking out new artists. Their culturally diverse board membership invites necessary and appropriate representation for all people groups in our community.

Tahlsound’s commitment to such values goes beyond artist engagement, as evidenced by maintaining their “pay what you can”/free model in order to allow for a wider audience. Event location also allows for easy access to public transportation. Programming and logistical decisions are made with audience and artist needs in mind. Earning LexArts funding will help strengthen this new MLF/Tahlsound partnership.

Tahlsound’s audience includes people of all ages, from Lexington and nearby, who love and support music.

This geographic target focuses on individuals and families represented by the convergence of districts on Southland Drive. Districts 3, 10, and 11 have quite diverse demographics that include young families, retirees, teachers, professors, students, retail employees, persons with disabilities – all encompassing a wide range of race and ethnicity. Positive feedback from this wide range of attendees (and performers) has underscored the value for this affordable, accessible, diverse concert series. As these events have grown over the years, attendees often travel from beyond Fayette County – even beyond state lines – a testament to our success in programming and marketing.

Tahlsound and MLF believe that all people deserve and need access to the performing and visual arts.

The Tahlsound Summer Concert Series benefits artists and audiences alike. Each all-ages event showcases a diverse roster of exceptional regional artists at little to no cost for patrons. We’re pleased with Tahlsound’s history of providing key exposure for artists ranging from local students to touring professionals.

Tahlsound’s programming provides a benefit to their partners – from local restaurants to music-related independent businesses. The shared support of each other’s efforts speaks to the value of arts engagement.

Finally, we’re also pleased that patrons actively seek out Tahlsound event volunteers and organizers to say how much they appreciate our efforts – in terms of both the music itself and the structures that allow everything to be safe and accessible for all kinds of music lovers.

Each concert is planned with quality, safety, and inclusion in mind. Tahlsound’s eye toward access takes many forms: retaining free space at all events as to accommodate those who may not have access to a computer to make reservations or afford a donation; shifting to a reservation model in order to have a stable sense of attendance and spacing, to their programming of musicians and artists (especially in terms of diverse representation).

Tahlsound’s longstanding partnerships with local businesses and the positive feedback from elected representatives and audience surveys, as well as their ten-year run so far, provide strong evidence for their sustained community value. MLF is excited for future efforts, given this sustained track record of success.

Promotional and marketing efforts for Tahlsound are grassroots in practice; with limited means for paid advertising- each event is fueled by postering, social media, in-kind sponsorships from local radio(WUKY, WRFL, LM Communications) and TV appearances throughout the season at WKYT, WLEX. These partnerships have been essential to their objective of reaching wide, diverse audiences at little to no cost. Their primary marketing expenses focus on targeted social media campaigns, high quality print material, and pre-event/onsite promotion, with established visual brand via consistent design. Additionally, sponsorships from civic organizations like Tahlsound help expand their reach while active relationships with our council members and community leaders help them in accessing new and niche audiences. Despite limited funds for direct marketing, their success is evidenced by continued record breaking attendance (1000+ at events) and an excellent reputation for music and community engagement

As noted, this application represents a partnership between MLF and Tahlsound.

Tahlsound has partnered with such organizations as UK College of Fine Arts, VisitLex, Central Music Academy, CKYO, Casa de la Cultura, Mecca Dance Studio, Lexington Music Education, M’ Power Rhythm and more – resulting in both fiscal support and opportunities for broader audience outreach, particularly in terms of representation.

Tahlsound has continued to develop its relationship with VisitLex. As the concert series has grown in reach, attendance has increased by approximately 30% YOY. Artist programming has brought bands in from as far as Kingston, Jamaica, Lafayette, LA, Mobile, AL, Miami, FL - more and more attendees have been traveling from other states ( NJ, PA, OH, IN, TN, VA) to see diverse programming that is not available to them at home. Tahlsound's relationship and sponsorship with VisitLex has helped the event highlight Lexington's support for diverse artists and provide added value to the already strong draw for tourism inherent to Central Kentucky.

As in recent Tahlsound seasons, they will partner with Lexington Music Education for youth focused performances - another connection with local performing arts initiatives. Also, Little Magic Music with Sarah Smytha will return at each event for more interactive and educational programming for young children. We also value our shared relationships with the Southland Association, WRFL, WUKY, WBVX,WZNN radio, and other partners in promoting our local and regional arts community together.

Tahlsound hopes to continue its new partnership with Marafiki Center during Reggaefest 2027. In July 2026, they were able to provide a free performance by Jamaican artists Rik Jam and Dalwayne at Marafiki's Swahili Summer Camp held at Arlington Elementary. Giving African immigrant children the opportunity to engage in culturally relevant musical performances and a unique interactive, question and answer sessions from these same artists.

We look forward to sustaining and expanding these and other potential community partnerships.

Tahlsound celebrates and elevates our region’s musical and artistic vibrancy through an inclusive, family-friendly concert series targeted at Lexington’s Southland Corridor and beyond.

Foundational to this core goal includes attention to affordable admittance, event experience (including sound, lighting, clean food/beverage support, parking, etc), diversity of performers, and the needs of a diverse audience.

Tahlsound’s commitment to the arts in our region, as well as to the interests and needs of attendees, allows them to make intentional choices in planning, promotion, and event presentation. This new partnership with MLF helps bolster and extend programming goals.

Tahlsound considers ticket reservations, press traction, and positive reputation amongst artists and audience members alike as key ways to assess organizational vitality and sustainability. MLF aims to bolster Talsound’s amazing efforts in providing high quality concert programming with an emphasis on the diverse talents of our region and the needs of our growing audience; we see evidence of success in returning patrons, new ticket buyers, and consistently high numbers of requests from artists (from Lexington and beyond) for booking consideration. Tahlsound has also documented much of our 10 years through photography and video – making curated footage available through their website and YouTube.

Tahlsound also actively seeks out feedback from elected representatives (most recently, Reynolds, Sevigny, and Wu), community partners, local business owners, their own advisory board and via audience/artist exit surveys (see sample included in application packet). Such feedback allows stakeholders to see what works, build upon key strengths, and respond quickly to developing needs.

Above all, Tahlsound has seen nearly a 30% Year-over-year increase in attendance, for the past three seasons, with an increasingly diverse audience- this is the greatest testament that their goals and objectives are being achieved.

All events held at Oleika's Great Lawn:
June 27th, 2027 5pm TBD
July 25th, 2027 5pm ReggaeFest

April 25th, 2027 5p
May 30th, 2027 5p
Aug 29th, 2027 5p

• Tahlsound-2026-August-Bayou-to-Bluegrass-With-Sponsors.pdf
• Tahlsound-2025-April-Collector-Edition.pdf