Events

A man with a long beard and mustache, wearing a black cowboy hat, a black western shirt with white embroidery, and blue jeans, leaning against a metal railing in a dimly lit setting.

August 30, 2025 8pm-10pm

Whey Jennings is making a stop at The Kennedy on his Jekyll & Hyde Tour. Please swing by for an acoustic set of his new record.

Country singer-songwriter Whey Jennings was born into one of country music’s most iconic family names, first emerging in 2012 as another naturally gifted singer from the Jennings tribe. With large boots to fill, the young Nashville recording artist and singer-songwriter for Dirt Rock Empire, with a booming baritone voice as big as Texas, finds himself with a few expectations to live up to. Seeking to establish his own musical legacy as one of the few remaining torch-bearing country traditionalists out there, Whey can instantly take his fans back to a time and sound his Grandfather Waylon and Grandmother Jessi gave birth to in the 70’s, even with his own songs.

Black and white photo of a smiling woman with wavy hair, with the text 'Distract Me Baby' at the top and 'Clara Rae' at the bottom right.

September 6, 2025 8pm-10pm

Clara Rae is a regional musician with over 300 live shows under her belt from Nashville (Bluebird, Honky Tonk Central) to Austin, Little Rock, Orange Beach/Gulf Shores, Piccadilly Circus in London, Paris and throughout her home state of Louisiana. Winner of the 2021 Stars on the Bayou award, Clara Rae has been a full time traveling musician ever since. She is available as a solo artist, a duo or with her full band Clara Rae and the Ramblers. With a healthy mix of country, classic rock and americana covers this eclectically talented and musically diverse group is sure to rock the house at your live music venue.

Portrait of a man wearing a cowboy hat, denim jacket with a faux shearling collar, and a plaid shirt, sitting outdoors with a blurred background of trees and landscape.

September 13, 2025 8pm-10pm

Nuke Bushner is a country music artist who has appeared on American Idol. He has a Grammy-nominated cover of George Strait's classic "Troubadour" featuring special vocal guests. Bushner also wrote "Country Boy Blues", a song that honors the country music legends who came before him. Bushner's music is available on Apple Music and Spotify. 

A man with long hair and a beard is sitting on a wooden table with his legs crossed, playing an acoustic guitar. He is wearing a dark hat and a blue dotted shirt. The room has wood-paneled walls decorated with framed vinyl records and posters, and features neon signs advertising Michelob Ultra and other brands.

September 26, 2025 8pm-10pm

Zach Chastain out of Atlanta live at The Kennedy. Let's give him a great Southern Missouri welcome.

A man wearing a cowboy hat and denim jacket holding an acoustic guitar, looking directly at the camera in a rustic wooden setting.

 October 4, 2025 8pm-10pm

Nuke Bushner is a country music artist who has appeared on American Idol. He has a Grammy-nominated cover of George Strait's classic "Troubadour" featuring special vocal guests. Bushner also wrote "Country Boy Blues", a song that honors the country music legends who came before him. Bushner's music is available on Apple Music and Spotify. 

A black and white photo of a woman and a man sitting on the floor against a wall. The woman has wavy hair, tattoos, and is wearing a dark shirt with shorts, while the man has a beard, a cap, a light shirt, and rolled-up pants. There is a disco ball on the floor beside the woman, and a guitar amplifier near the man. A framed picture hangs on the wall above them, and the setting appears to be an informal or artistic space.

October 18, 2025 8pm-10pm

Roxie and the Moon King: A dusty neo-traditional folk duo comprised of singer-songwriters–Jenna English and Michael Stanton Armstrong. Based out of the rolling hills of Springfield, Missouri, Roxie & The Moon King are known for their rich harmonies steeped in earnest storytelling and poetic lyrics. Their intimate sound blends traditional folk with modern indie-pop roots, painting from a broad musical palette. Traveling across the United States, they continue to connect with audiences, sharing their music wherever the road leads.

A man with a beard wearing a cowboy hat and plaid shirt holding a guitar near his shoulder, looking out a window.

November 1, 2025 8pm-10pm

Brian Elisha Smith is an international award winning American singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist producer based out of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.  With over 2,000 songs penned & 12 independent releases since 2009, Smith is creating a self-produced legacy that began with his first song at the age of 18.  Smith writes, records (playing all instruments), produces, and mixes every song himself, releasing all of his music on his own terms.  Crossing a wide array of genres, what gets produced has been compared to the likes of Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, Ray LaMontagne, Colter Wall, JJ Cale and Gregory Alan Isakov. 

Man wearing sunglasses and a cap with an American flag, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone during an outdoor performance.

November 8, 2025 8pm-10pm

Reed Foley is a country artist with a sound that lives in the modern-day Nashville scene while still paying homage to the roots of the genre. With a deep respect for ‘90s country in phrasing, lyrics, and emotion, Reed blends a nostalgic foundation with today’s commercial edges—creating a style that resonates with both long-time country fans and a new generation of listeners. 

Born in Sparta, North Carolina, and raised in the Daytona Beach area, Reed grew up with music in his blood. His dad was a big influence, teaching him to sing, play, and entertain on stage. Music became more than just a passion—it was a path, one that Reed would eventually pursue full-time after a life-changing moment: his first paid gig. Earning just $80, he realized he could make a living doing what he loved.

Today, Reed has nearly 15 million streams, a Top 40 hit on the MusicRow breakout chart, and songs that have been cut by other artists. He’s performed at NASCAR fan zones across the country, opened for artists like Jason Aldean and Cooper Alan, and most recently celebrated his first sold-out headlining show in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Man with long-sleeved checkered shirt, orange-brown jacket, and wide-brimmed hat in a studio portrait.

November 14, 2025

Nashville-based artist Addison Johnson is a singer, songwriter, and performer originally from North Carolina whose melodies and lyrics have captivated audiences worldwide. A true storyteller at heart, Addison’s songwriting is a fusion of personal experiences and the study and observation of the people and places who demonstrate the everyday human condition.

Inspired by icons like George Jones, Jerry Reed, and Jim Croce, Addison brings a style that is often noted as “too Country for Americana and too Americana for Country.” Because of that unique style, his music has traversed borders and resonated with a global audience. From local accolades to international recognition, Addison’s work has garnered praise for its authenticity and intricate details as he weaves tales set to music.

A man with a long beard wearing sunglasses, a cap, and a t-shirt, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone.

November 15, 2025 8pm-10pm

Wes Shipp comes out of Florida with a voice comparable to Kentucky’s native son, Keith Whitley. After many years spent traveling, busking, and trying to survive while being addicted to drugs, Wes knows what it means to struggle, to fight for everything he wants in life. By grace and an amazing voice, he has not only put his demons behind him, he has excelled in doing so. He was filmed outside of the North Little Rock Walmart busking while in active addiction. His talent could not be denied as the video took off on a trajectory to viraldom. Since that video, Wes has kept the momentum going by writing original songs that weave a story that anyone can relate to like the tear-jerking “My Old Man”, the outlaw story of survival “Back Here in Ocala”, and his newest hit “Citrus County Jail”. His covers of Keith Whitley have been shared by the Whitley family on their social media platforms multiple times. He has played with some of the greats like Billy Don Burns multiple times over the last couple of years as well as rising outlaw country’s finest musicians like Whey Jennings, yes Waylon’s grandson, and had co-writes with Whey, Creed Fisher, Jared Hill & Cass Jones. Whether he is playing a set of all originals or a mix of his original songs and covering classic country, Wes Shipp is always there to put on a show and entertain the crowd. It’s only a matter of time before the masses know his name.

December 6, 2025 8-10

Three things characterize Carissa Carter: powerful vocals, a bold presence, and soulful storytelling. Her sound reflects her upbringing of singing southern gospel songs on Sunday mornings to rocking out with Miranda Lambert, Linda Ronstadt, the Allman Brothers, and Faith Hill as a teenager. In 2023, she released an Acoustic EP called “The Scratches, Part 1,” that garnered over 10,000 streams across platforms in its first month.

In 2024, Carissa formed her band, Carissa Carter and Southern Light (CCSL), have headlined Hoots Hall in Burleson, Red Barn Saloon in Durant, and Margaritaville Crystal Beach. The Truth, Tall Tales, and Whiskey Podcast, the Gotta Love Texas Music Podcast, and Country vs. Metal have all featured her, with her Country vs. Metal episode releasing in October 2025. Her Debut EP, “Untamed,” will be coming in 2026, with her debut single “Between These Two Barstools,” coming out in September 2025.

A male musician performs on stage with an acoustic guitar, wearing a patterned shirt, with a microphone in front of him and stage lighting in the background.

December 13, 2025 8pm-10pm

 JD Shelburne is that rare artist for whom the dream, the life, and the music have all come together.

            “I’ve been blessed enough to hit that sweet spot,” says JD, whose musical journey has taken him from his from his hometown of Taylorsville, Kentucky, to national prominence—and most recently to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. “One by one, the dreams have come true, and the Opry is the biggest dream of all, the one I’ve had since I first started playing. And the best part is that I have the truest and most loyal fans in the world, and they’ve been with me every step of the way.”

            The Opry invitation comes as JD expands his imprint in every direction. This year saw the launch of his own JD Shelburne Signature Series Inclusion Brand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and it sees the release of his seventh studio album, the eagerly awaited Raised on the Good Stuff.