Written by Ella Pierce
What a dandy ole’ time dancing in denim at Kentucky Day’s bluegrass concert! Held in Lovett Auditorium on Saturday night, July 12th, the event featured the rising band Cutter & Cash and the Kentucky Grass. The band filled the stage with energy and excitement, playing Bluegrass hits with their own unique spin.
From the hollers of Marion County, brothers Cutter and Cash Singleton have been making music since they could walk. Cutter recalled listening to the radio during a family drive through the Elk and Bison Prairie in Murray, Kentucky, when he first recognized the distinct sound a banjo made. From then on, Cutter knew that his passion for music was what he would pursue in life. At ages eight and five, Cutter and his younger brother Cash began performing together, quickly gaining popularity. Because of a deep connection to their roots, they learned how to play a variety of instruments..
Now, at just eighteen and fifteen years old, the brothers have performed various times at the Grand Ole Opry and collaborated with many artists in the industry to produce crowd-pleasing singles. Their band features instruments and vocals of all ranges like violin, mandolin, banjo, classical guitar, and a bass–each adding a specific note to the band’s niche sound.
Midway through the show, an intermission allowed scholars to ask the band questions. Hands flailed in the air with excitement, but only a few lucky students were chosen. Jude Miller asked for a bass solo. The band was thrilled to entertain his request with a solo performance dedicated to him! Lovett erupted as scholars stood, clapped, snapped, and hollered! This spontaneous moment was a highlight of the night – but it didn’t end there.
Elliot Higginbotham, a Lexington native and music enthusiast, curiously asked where the band drew inspiration from and who influenced the roots of their music. Cutter and Cash both commented, citing Flatt & Scruggs and country artists from the 1940’s and 50’s as their biggest inspirations.
The final question was asked by scholar Alex Board from Owensboro. She asked if the band had heard of her county’s music festival, ROMP, and whether they would play there. They eagerly answered, calling it “one of the top fifty musical festivals in the country” and said that they hoped to perform there in 2027.
After an exhilarating performance, Steve reminded the crowd that “the festivities were not over yet!” Still decked out in denim, scholars were escorted to the Wellness Center for GSP’s second themed dance! Millennial songs blasted through the speakers and groups formed as scholars danced with adrenaline. After a late, high-energy night, it is safe to say that these Kentucky Day festivities will be a favorite memory for many scholars.