Events
Rural Revival Project Street Festival Series
May 17, 2025 | Inez, KY
Join us in Inez, Kentucky on May 17, for a weekend of music, community, and connection to a region working hard to rebuild after recent floods and ongoing economic challenges. The outdoor concert will take place behind the Martin County Business Center on Main Street, with live performances from multiple artists, regional food vendors, and Appalachian artisans.
Weekend events also include a veterans’ side-by-side ride on Friday, educational “Truth Talks” on Saturday focused on self-sufficiency and local agriculture, and a community worship service on Sunday morning.
Shuttle buses will run from Martin County High School on concert day. For parking, vendor info, and full weekend details, see below.
Additional information to be added as it becomes available.
Oliver Anthony Music
Oliver Anthony is an American country-folk singer-songwriter who gained viral fame in 2023 with his song Rich Men North of Richmond. His raw, working-class lyrics and soulful voice resonated widely, propelling him to the top of music charts despite being an independent artist. Originally from Virginia, Anthony’s music blends traditional country, folk, and bluegrass influences. His rise to fame was fueled by social media, and he continues to release music that speaks to everyday struggles and blue-collar life.
Davisson Brothers Band
The Davisson Brothers Band are a genre-blurring mountain rock band formed in Clarksburg, West Virginia, by Chris and Donnie Davisson. Along with nephew Gerrod Bee and life-long family friend Aaron Regester, the band has created a uniquely authentic Appalachian country sound, which has helped them grow into one of the most successful independent acts in the world.
Since their founding in 2006, the band has recorded three albums, been celebrated as a Highway Find on Sirius XM, charted on country radio with “Foot Stompin’” and scored a hit song in Australia with “Po’ Boyz,” while also earning a dedicated following in the Jam Band/Bluegrass scene and standing shoulder to shoulder with mainstream country stars at festivals like CMC Rocks (Australia) and the Carolina Country Fest.
The new album, Home Is Where the Heart Is, was produced by Brent Cobb and David “Ferg” Ferguson, and features Tim O’Brien, Rob McCoury, Stewart Duncan, Leftover Salmon’s Vince Herman, Ronnie Bowman, Kyle Tuttle, Lindsay Lou and more.
Leeda Lyric Jones
Leeda “Lyric” Jones is an Asheville-based singer-songwriter, musician, and music teacher known for her fusion of pop, soul, and funk. Inspired by her grandfather, a blues guitarist, and her father, a bassist in her band, she taught herself guitar in 2008 and began busking in Asheville. Her band, LYRIC, has won multiple local awards, and she has opened for artists like George Clinton, Mavis Staples, and Gladys Knight. Jones continues to be a staple in Asheville’s music scene, performing regularly and engaging with the community.
Little Ozzy
Little Ozzy, born Lin Doak, is a renowned Ozzy Osbourne impersonator known for his striking resemblance to the legendary Black Sabbath frontman. Standing at 4 feet 8 inches tall, Doak has captivated audiences with his performances that closely mirror Osbourne’s distinctive style and vocals.
In 2023, Little Ozzy was featured on the Discovery reality show “Big & Little Brawlers,” highlighting their dynamic performances and the unique concept of combining rock tribute acts with mini-wrestling.
Truth Talks
Discussion Panel
A Time to Heal
Join leading local farmers in an interactive discussion of faith, healing and recovery in Inez.
Discussions will be moderated by documentary journalist Graham Meriwether, Director of Agriculture, Rural Revival Project.
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
Mingle and keep the conversation going with panelists while enjoying a fire-roasted, pastured pork and baked beans dinner prepared by farmer and pitmaster Wayne Riley.
12:00pm - 12:45pm - Armed to Farm
Veterans Cultivating Purpose After Service
12:00pm – 12:45pm
Speakers:
Chris Lunsford, Musician, Homesteader – Farmville, VA
Mike Lewis, Farmer, Veteran, Organizer – Mt. Vernon, KY
Cheryl Zuckschwerdt, Farmer, Veteran – Macon, GA
Returning from military service into civilian life can be challenging. In this discussion we’ll talk to military veteran Mike as he explains a program he’s helped develop to set up veterans for success in agriculture. Cheryl returned from serving her country to start Not Forgotten Farmstead, where she’s passionate about raising goats and chickens and empowering others to do the same. Chris has recently begun the process of developing a healing center on a farm in Virginia for military veterans, modeling it after farms in Italy.
Short Film Screening: Mike Lewis
1:00pm - 1:45pm - Herbalism on the Homestead
Growing Your Own Path to Health
1:00pm – 1:45pm
Speakers:
Gabby Koza, Herbalist, Homesteader – Alberta, Canada
Gabby has transformed her family’s homestead into a backyard pharmacy. She’s taking a whole new approach to healing, one focused on a person-by-person analysis based on each individual’s unique constitution. She’ll walk you through step-by-step how you can change the way you think about sickness & health and set up a customized healing garden in your backyard or community for you and your loved ones.
2:00pm - 2:45pm -Protecting the Homeland
Insights from a Secret Service Agent
2:00pm – 2:45pm
Speakers:
Scott Bryson: Retired Secret Service Agent, Charlotte NC
Justin Neal, Veteran, Entrepreneur, Charlotte, NC
Scott has put his life on the line for five presidents in the Secret Service and will share his experience on how you can increase your personal safety and what role Rural America can play when our collective security is threatened. Justin is part of Savage Freedoms, a group of military veterans who support during natural disasters and has been instrumental in rescue operations following Hurricane Helene.
3:00pm - 3:45pm - Farming at Age 10
Life on a Young Appalachian Homestead
3:00pm – 3:45pm
Speakers:
Ansley Thacker, Homesteader, Green Mountain, NC
Ansley is raising roosters, hens, goats, horses and a mini-donkey. Every morning, regardless of the weather, she’s thrilled to go outside and tend to her little piece of earth. She plants, harvests, and makes tinctures with herbs, and has even designed an off-grid solar cabin she’ll build and live in once she’s a bit older. Be inspired by one of the youngest farmers in Appalachia!
Short Film Screening: Ansley Thacker
4:00pm - 4:45pm - Strengthening Kentucky Agriculture
Building Health Through Local Food Supply Chains
4:00pm – 4:45pm
Speakers:
Wayne Riley, Farmer, London, KY
Wayne has dedicated his life to feeding those without food and also to building societal and communal resilience to natural and man-made disasters. We’ll learn from him as he shares his experience homesteading and farming as well as his passion for helping others.
Short Film Screening: Wayne Riley
Discussions will be moderated by documentary journalist Graham Meriwether, Director of Agriculture, Rural Revival Project.
5:00pm - 6:00pm - Dinner with Panelists
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
Whole Hog Roast
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Mingle and keep the conversation going with panelists while enjoying a fire-roasted, pastured pork and baked beans dinner prepared by farmer and pitmaster Wayne Riley.
Additional Information
FRiday, May 16, 2025
6:00pm: Rural Revival Veterans’ Trail Ride – Van Lear, KY
Click here to complete the required form
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Full schedule to be announced
10:00am: Gates open.
12:00pm: Truth Talks:
Requires a separate ticket
Martin County Historic Courthouse
32 Main St, Inez, KY 41224
12:00pm-12:45pm: Armed to Farm
1:00pm – 1:45pm: Herbalism on the Homestead
2:00pm – 2:45pm: Protecting the Homeland: Insights from a Secret Service Agent
3:00pm – 3:45pm: Farming at Age 10
4:00pm – 4:45pm: Strengthening Kentucky Agriculture5:00pm – 6:00pm: Dinner with panelists – Whole Hog Roast
Sunday, May 18, 2025
11:00am: Sunday worship service – Main Stage
List of area accomodations coming soon.
- Documentary Screenings
- Speaker Workshops
- Skills Workshops
- Kids Crafts
- Strengthen Partnerships: Engage with local, regional, and national organizations to enhance community resilience and collaboration.
- Increase National Exposure: Share Spruce Pine’s recovery story with a wider audience, showcasing the community’s strength and determination.
- Boost Local Economy: Provide a positive economic impact through participation from local vendors and sponsorships, supporting the area’s businesses as they recover.
Festival map coming soon
PARK & WALK
To be announced.
PARK & SHUTTLE
Martin County High School
Shuttle service beginning at noon on Saturday to accommodate overflow parking.
Prohibited items
- Pets (service dogs only)
- Chairs
- Umbrellas
- Coolers
- Backpacks
- Weapons
- Outside food & beverages
Vendors
Interested vendors can contact Inez City Commissioner, Jennifer Wells, by calling the judge’s office at (606) 298-2800 or Inez City Hall at (606) 298-4602.
Parking
PARK & WALK
To be announced.
PARK & SHUTTLE
Martin County High School
Shuttle service beginning at noon on Saturday to accommodate overflow parking.
Coming soon.
Interested vendors can contact Inez City Commissioner, Jennifer Wells, by calling the judge’s office at (606) 298-2800 or Inez City Hall at (606) 298-4602.
