Renfro Valley Entertainment Center Is Kentucky's Best Bluegrass Venue

John Lair knew that if he brought Kentucky music to the world, he could get the world to come to Kentucky. In the 1930s, Lair created the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, a radio and stage show filled with country and bluegrass music by artists including Hank Williams, Red Foley, and Hank Snow. The show was based in Illinois and Ohio but broadcast nationally.

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The History of Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

As the Barn Dance’s popularity soared, Lair wanted to move it down South, closer to the musicians and performers who appeared on the show. His choice, Renfro Valley (not far from his hometown of Livingston), was met with much skepticism—who would travel to the middle of nowhere to hear country music?—but he forged ahead, and built a big barn that would serve as a music hall. Because there wasn’t much in the area to accommodate visitors, he also added a restaurant, cabins, and a tourist court. In 1939, the doors of the barn swung open, and Lair turned a rural part of Kentucky into a destination for music lovers.

The Valley remained under Lair’s tender care for nearly three decades until it briefly left his hands from 1966 to 1976, then returned to his possession from 1976 to 1985. In 1985, after Lair’s death, his family sold the operation, and from there it changed ownership several more times until finally landing with local couple Don and Vera Evans. The Valley superfans attended hundreds of shows before venturing to buy their favorite place in 2005. During their stewardship, the sprawling 90-acre property grew to include a 35-site RV campground. When the couple died at the end of 2009 and beginning of 2010, their daughter and son-in-law John and Julie Enneking took over operations.

Visiting Renfro Valley Entertainment Center

Over the past 85 years, tastes in music have changed and the property itself has, too. New ownership added programs like the annual “Christmas in the Valley” show and built a second barn for performances. In 2002, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened right next door—the entrance to the building is Lair’s former riding stable. In 2022, the original barn was turned back into a general admission music hall with original elements like the floors, stage, and sign.

For the full experience, visitors can spend an entire day (or more) at the Valley. Start by earning a musical education at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, then mosey over to the Country Music Store for a souvenir to take home or something to wear to the night’s show. For a different kind of take-home gift, Valley Liquor offers a wide selection of rare and allocated Kentucky Bourbons. Then, of course, your night can only end with a live show in the Old Barn or New Barn Theatre—and maybe even an overnight stay in the RV Park. Things look quite different from the early days, but Renfro Valley has remained true to Lair’s vision: steadfastly dedicated to all things country.

renfrovalley.com; 2380 Richmond Street, Mount Vernon, KY 40456; 606-256-0101

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