15 ~ Kentucky (June 1, 1792)
Kentucky
Nickname: The Bluegrass State
Statehood: 1792; 15th state
Population (as of July 2015): 4,425,092
Capital: Frankfort
Biggest City: Louisville
Abbreviation: KY
State bird: cardinal
State flower: goldenrod
State tree: tulip poplar
State wild game animal: grey squirrel
State song:
In 1853 the great American composer Stephen Foster (1826-1864) composed the song "My Old Kentucky Home." Kentucky chose it as the official state song in 1928.
Kentucky also has an official state bluegrass song called "Blue Moon of Kentucky" that was designated in 1989. It was written by William Smith "Bill" Monroe, who is mentioned in the Carson Peters/Ricky Skaggs video below.
Other songs about Kentucky:
Listen to the official state bluegrass song "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Bluegrass music is the official "state music" of the state.
Bluegrass is a musical style named and popularized by Bill Monroe, the composer of this next song. It's influenced by jazz, country, and gospel music, uses lots of improvisation, and is played with acoustic instruments such as upright bass, mandolin, banjo, and fiddle.
Hear the fiddle for "Blue Moon of Kentucky":
Here is the Elvis Presley version of the same song.
(Warning: Preview for pictures in this video, or just play the audio.)
The state musical instrument of Kentucky is the Appalachian Dulcimer. See that instrument here. (Watch through 3:30.)
"Run for the Roses" by Dan Fogleberg is about the Kentucky Derby horse race.
"Coal Miner's Daughter" by Loretta Lynn
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