Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
Embrace fine food and music in LUBBOCK
Lubbock, Texas, is more than just a ‘Hub City’. Buddy Holly’s rock-’n’-roll hometown is far from an everyday destination…
Buried deep in the far west of the Texas panhandle, bright and breezy Lubbock is an urban oasis blessed with musical heritage, great barbecue and a music scene that most state’s would envy.
Birthplace of Buddy Holly
Rock ’n’ Roll music fans are likely to have Lubbock on their radar. It’s best known for being the birthplace of Buddy Holly, a pioneer of the genre and one of the most prominent singers of the 1950s. He, along with his band The Crickets, inspired a generation before his tragic death at the age of just 22.
Stop by the Buddy Holly Center, where the first thing you’ll spy is a colossal pair of specs, erected in honour of the heartthrob. Then head next door to the West Texas Walk of Fame to learn about his early life and achievements up until his untimely end.
Buddy Holly wasn’t the only big name to hail from Lubbock. Singer-songwriter Mac Davis, who wrote hits for Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton, was also a native of the city. And even today, venues across town offer the chance to hear the stars of tomorrow.
Wine and dine
Texas viticulture has gained popularity over the last decade, winning over the stubborn hearts of many oenophiles. While many are familiar with wines from the Hill Country, Lubbock is among the Lone Star State’s top grape-growing regions and is one of the key spots on the Texas Wine Trail.
Book a tour at a celebrated urban winery or vineyard like Mcpherson Cellars and Llano Estacado Winery to try some premium reds, whites and a slew of unique rosé vintages. This city is also where the refreshing vodka and citrus-infused concoction known as The Chilton originated. Look out for the Lubbock Chilton Trail – an interactive mobile ‘passport’ that lists various terrific bars where you can try this legendary cocktail.
No trip to Texas is complete without barbecue, and there are many terrific joints in Lubbock to try, from smokehouses to food trucks. A great place to start is Evie Mae’s BBQ, whose signature brisket is a winner. Or hit The Shack, which dishes out mouthwatering green-chilli sausages and ribs.
Lastly, wash it all down at some of the superb breweries in Lubbock. Two Docs Brewing Co is swamped with locals every weekend, or drop by Good Line Beer Co for a laid-back spot to end a day of exploring.
Mention Kentucky and most people think of bourbon or horse racing, but there is also a thriving music scene here. Chris Stapleton and the late Loretta Lynn are just a few of the musical icons to have emerged, and its multiple festivals are packed with up-and-coming talent. Kentucky moves to its own infectious rhythm...
The beat goes on…
There is music nearly everywhere in the Bluegrass State, ranging from festivals to distilleries. Driving the Country Music Highway takes you through the lives of greats such as Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, The Judds and Chris Stapleton. Indeed, Kentuckians savour their local heroes as much as they do their bourbon, and are always happy to talk to you about their favourite artists and their personal connection with bluegrass music.
You don’t have to just be a spectator either. At the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Owensboro, you can even pick up an instrument and have your own jam session. “That’s a big part of bluegrass in Kentucky,” says Mike Mangeot, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Tourism. “You’ll find people playing their fiddles, guitars or banjos with one another in parking lots and jamming together. You can do that yourself at the museum, which is a really cool nod to the bluegrass music culture.”
However, there is more to the state’s music scene than just bluegrass. South of Lexington, the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center
in Mount Vernon puts on plenty of classic country music and southern gospel gigs, Elsewhere, the state welcomes some of the biggest bands in the world: the likes of Metallica and Red Hot Chili Peppers – which you wouldn’t ordinarily associate with Kentucky – have headlined festivals such as Louder Than Life in Louisville.
Hear it live
The one thing you won’t have to worry about is missing out on experiencing live music in Kentucky. There are numerous festivals that run throughout the summer months, such as Railbird, ROMP and Bourbon and Beyond. In September, when temperatures are still balmy, you can head to Jerusalem Ridge Bluegrass Festival, set in a lush outdoor space. Even the state’s distilleries have got in on the act, and Log Still in historic Bardstown hosts live concerts at its venue every weekend between May and October.
Be sure to include legendary venues that showcase Kentucky’s diversity in your trip. There’s the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center in Lexington, which celebrates diverse African American cultural heritage, as well as Madison Theater in Covington, which is known for its rock concerts. But for a truly authentic evening, head to the Rosine Barn Jamboree, a historic barn in bluegrass-icon Bill Monroe’s hometown, where you can dance to live folk, country and gospel music.
Take a tip from an expert: Mike’s favourite hidden gem for enjoying music without the crowds is Beaver Dam, a small town in Western Kentucky. “Their amphitheatre pulls in big-name acts all summer long,” he says. “If you really want to get an idea of the culture of Kentucky outside of its urban areas, go here.”
This isn’t the only unsung festival showcasing Kentucky’s wide-ranging love of music. You might not expect to hear the rhythmic sound of deeptoned tubas and trombones here, but June’s Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville is an annual treat. That’s just Kentucky in a nutshell.