Club bring summertime music to Bardstown

When it comes to summertime in Bardstown, there’s never a shortage of music. And for more than 20 years, one local event has entertained audiences with a variety of bands and musical acts, all in an effort to support and grow music in the community.

This month marks the start of the outdoor Summer Concert Series, which takes place each year at the Bardstown Community Park and is hosted by the Stephen Foster Music Club, a nearly 90-year-old organization born out of the community’s love for music.

“The music club was founded in 1935, and it exists to support and enhance the development and appreciation of music,” explains Ken Distler, a past president of the club who is regarded as one of the concert series’ founders.

While music clubs once were common in Kentucky, only five remain: the Stephen Foster Music Club, the Glasgow Musicale, Lexington Federated Music Club, Saturday Musicale in Owensboro and the Cecilian Club.

“Each of the clubs is completely different. They set their own programs, agendas, what they want to do. Biggest thing we’re known for currently is the Summer Concert Series,” Distler says.

Like many civic clubs and organizations, Distler says the club has experienced a decrease in membership over the years, but remains strong.

“We’re still hanging in there,” he says. “We’re maintaining our strength. At one time, we were a lot larger than we are now, but we can always use new members.”

While there might be fewer members in the ranks than previous years, the organization remains highly active. Community contributions include providing monthly concerts and equipment donations, and even sponsoring local students who attend the Stephen Foster Music Camp at Eastern Kentucky University.

“We try to fill the need for anything musical,” Distler says. That includes the Summer Concert Series, which, in its 22nd season, is still drawing large crowds to enjoy a wide variety of musical genres and local and regional acts.

“We’ve got some bands that have a definite following,” Distler explains, listing regional acts like Dixie Rascals, Big Black Cadillac and Wildfire that bring with them a dedicated group of fans.

But, true to the mission, the concerts feature plenty of local talent as well, with the first concert typically featuring the Bardstown High School Orchestra.

Thanks to the donations and support of local businesses and organizations over the years, Distler says the clubs able to pay for popular acts while keeping admission free for concertgoers.

“We have a good, solid base of supports that we can depend on every year.” That said, the club always accepts donations to support its work.

“We’ve got a donation box with a horn bell sticking out of the top of it to throw donations into during then concert. So, we get a noticeable amount of those donations during concerts.” Though he gave up the reins as the concert’s main organizer a few years ago, Distler is still proud of the series and the club’s commitment to promoting and enhancing music in the community.

“It’s just a really enjoyable family event,” Distler says. “Much like a hundred years ago, you had the little concerts in the park with a gazebo and people wandering by … it’s a community event and a family event. And we want to see that maintained in the future.”