I recently traveled to Nashville, the country music capital of the world. Unfortunately, the only live music I witnessed was at the airport, which is what happened the last time I traveled to Nashville.
The Nashville crowds are reminiscent of previous travels to Vegas or New Orleans during Mardi Gras. People are everywhere, especially at the live music venues, making it difficult to not only get into the establishment but also to find a place to sit — or stand.
The country singer at the airport had a beautiful voice and interesting stories to share, including that she was a former contestant on “The Voice.” She didn’t seem to mind that the crowds were focusing on grabbing a quick morsel, talking on their phones or busily typing away on laptops. She appreciated the few of us who applauded her work in between bites of food and swigs of caffeinated drinks.
Nashville has long been synonymous with country music, but Jenna Rae and Martin Farrell Jr., who formed Lost Cowgirl Records in 2018, remain inspired by the world right outside their window in Stull, Kansas. Forget the crowds — the only neighbors they can see from their living room picture window are cows and sometimes coyotes. This is the vibe that inspires their music writing and jam sessions.
The couple’s story is captured in this month’s issue by one of our favorite writers, MeLinda Schnyder, and begins on Page 10. Even with upcoming nuptials and Jenna’s April 1 release of her solo album, “Country Lo-Fi,” they found time to talk with MeLinda and wrestle up photos for us to use in the magazine to help tell their story. Be sure to check out kclonline.com in April for web exclusives tied to this article.
If you’re itching to get back out on the road this spring, check out the Big Kansas Road Trip 2022 sites in the southeast corner of the state. This project of the non-profit Kansas Sampler Foundation aims to entice people to explore all the state has to offer while supporting our communities. The article beginning on Page 12 shares just some of the many interesting places to explore in Bourbon, Cherokee and Crawford counties, from unsung heroes to the unusual. Be sure to send us photos from your Kansas travels!
