Cutter Singleton of the Grand Ole Opry performers “Cutter and Cash and the Kentucky Grass” plays at the Bluegrass on (Lake) Beshear Music Festival on Oct. 12, 2024. COURTESY OF PICKIN’ LIFE
Pro-life music festival-fundraiser to be held Oct. 11
BY PICKIN’ LIFE ORGANIZERS, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The Pickin’ Life Project will host the 12th annual “Bluegrass on (Lake) Beshear” charity music festival on Saturday, Oct. 11 with the help of 10 Knights of Columbus councils and one Fourth Degree Assembly, all from the Owensboro diocese. Resurrection Church parishioners (and Pickin’ Life Project founders) Laura and Jeff Smith of Dawson Springs are in the midst of planning the one-day music festival and fundraiser for five life-affirming pregnancy care centers in western Kentucky. The event will take place on the shore of Lake Beshear, four miles outside of Dawson Springs, from 11:45 a.m.- 5 p.m.
During its first 11 years, “Bluegrass on (Lake) Beshear” has raised more than $250,000 for pro-life pregnancy care centers, with each year’s intake exceeding the previous year’s. In 2024, the music fest raised almost $50,000. In addition, Knights of Columbus involvement netted an additional $9,000 for the pregnancy centers through its national Aid and Support After Pregnancy (ASAP) program. In 2025, a benefactor will match the first $15,000 in donations and purchases to double their impact.
The organizers defray all event costs. The Pickin’ Life Project donates 100% of money raised at Bluegrass on (Lake) Beshear to Alpha PCC (Hopkinsville), Door of Hope (Madisonville), H.O.P.E. Clinic (Benton and Eddyville) and Pathway of Hope (Greenville). The pregnancy centers are faith-based and depend on private donations to remain open. They receive no government funding because the centers will never refer clients for abortion.
The music festival will be held, rain or shine, at 307 Island Cove Lane in Dawson Springs, on the shore of beautiful Lake Beshear. The grounds open at 11 a.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and are welcome to bring coolers. Friendly volunteer staff members will help people park and will use golf carts to help music fans make the short trip to the venue and back to their cars. Five bands will perform bluegrass, country, gospel, rock and blues music beginning at 11:45 a.m. Hot food and cold drinks are available for purchase all day. There will be a raffle with many prizes, 15 winners and a $1,000 cash grand prize.
More information about the event and ways to donate can be found on www.bluegrassonbeshear.com, facebook.com/bluegrassonbeshear or (270) 399-5018. All donations go to the pregnancy care centers and are tax deductible. Please help the Pickin’ Life Project in its mission, “Saving babies’ lives and families’ hearts.”
Originally printed in the September 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
