(Frankfort, Ky.) -- While it is no secret that Kentucky is full of musical talent, the number of great performers appearing on the Cultural Stage at Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2003 is certainly something to sing about. The Market, in its 22nd year, will feature a wonderful variety of live performances by Kentucky's finest folk, bluegrass, jazz, thumb-picking guitar, and gospel musicians, as well as the state's best traditional and contemporary crafts, visual art, books, children's activities, and demonstrations.

On Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2, performing artists from the Kentucky Arts Council's Performing Arts on Tour Directory 2002-2003, and the Kentucky Folklife Program's Tour of Kentucky Folk Music will dazzle audiences with their amazing vocal and instrumental styling. Their CD's and cassettes will also be available for purchase from the Kentucky Arts Council's Performing Arts on Tour and Fellowship Artists, Booth E, located near the Cultural Stage.

Performances will begin at 11a.m. on Saturday, March 1, with a vocal ensemble from the Louisville Chorus. Under the direction of Daniel Spurlock, the Ensemble of the Louisville Chorus is a powerful and well-known performing concert group.

At 12 noon, the John Edmonds' Gospel Truth will bring uplifting, high-energy gospel music to The Market. Edmonds has performed on USO stages in Vietnam, played for 100,000 at the Smithsonian Institution, and has performed for Denmark's Princess Elisabeth.

The Steve Crews Trio will take the stage at 1:00 p.m. This fine jazz ensemble utilizes a classic improvisational jazz format: piano, bass, and drums and performs a wonderful range of original music and standards. This trio, comprised of Steve Crews, (piano); Hubert Griffin, Jr. (drums) and Sonny Stephens (bass), brings more than 25 years' experience to their respective instruments.

At 2:45 p.m., the Northern Kentucky women's trio, Raison D'etre, will provide their beautiful, eclectic harmonies and vocal arrangements. They perform tunes from Medieval days, to eighteenth century ballads, to twentieth century repertoires that range from the Andrews Sisters-type arrangements to contemporary covers of Joni Mitchell. .
Tim Lake and the Little Big Band will take the stage at 3:45 p.m. As a banjo artist and songwriter, Tim Lake has performed his brand of American music with Kentucky-style, in music festivals and concerts all over the world.

Saturday's final performance will begin at 4:45 p.m. with Hog Operation, an ensemble that is steeped in Kentucky's rich music tradition! This band's high-energy performances include American roots music. Steve Cooley, John Hawkins, Larry Raley and Mike Schroeder play a supercharged bluegrass music-style, using traditional instrumentation. .
On Sunday, March 2, Jennifer Rose will perform at 11 a.m. and accompany herself on the dulcimer or guitar. Jennifer performs traditional Appalachian music. Her performances have captivated audiences nationally and internationally.

At 12:00 noon, Zoe Speaks will take the stage. While their Appalachian backgrounds are conveyed in their music, they ultimately defy categorization. This duo plays everything from old-time gospel to contemporary acoustic tunes.

For the 1:00 p.m. slot, Eddie Pennington and Steve Rector will appear on stage together. Eddie is considered by his peers to be the greatest living thumb-style guitarist. In 2001 he received a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Steve holds back-to-back recognition as National Thumb-picking Champion. Steve's music is heard weekly on the popular television show, "Kentucky Afield," a Kentucky Educational Television production.

At 2:00 p.m. The Northern Kentucky Brotherhood will fill the stage and feature traditional a cappella gospel quartet music, once found in African American Churches.

At 3:00 p.m. No Tools Loaned will perform. This band describes their music as "third- generation bluegrass," which is evident in their great instrumentals and tight vocal harmonies.

Sunday's final performance at 4:00 PM will showcase Earthheart. John Gage and Phyllis Free form the duo. Borrowing from American folk music traditions, they entertain audiences and elevate public consciousness about cultural and environmental issues.
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The public is invited to attend Kentucky Crafted: The Market, 2003, Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center, South Wing A, Louisville. General admission for adults is $6.00 and $3.00 for children 6-12; children under 6 are admitted free. Parking is $4.00. A limited number of wheelchairs will be available upon request. Shuttle service will be provided from the fairground parking areas to the front of South Wing A. An additional entrance is at the rear of South Wing A. Visit the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program web site: www.kycraft.org, for the official program guide and a $1.00-off admission coupon.

The Market is produced by the Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Education, Arts & Humanities Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238), ext. 4801. Or visit our site at www.kycraft.org.

Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships. .
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The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public.