In Kentucky, June is the month to get outside and enjoy a festival of your favorite music under sunny summer skies. From the sweet strums of a dulcimer to rousing brass band concerts and Kentucky’s signature Bluegrass harmonies, you’re sure to find some great music to stir your soul in the incredible variety of festivals on tap in June.

Take in Seedtime on the Cumberland 2009, the 23rd annual celebration presented by Appalshop, June 11-13 on the Appalshop festival grounds in downtown Whitesburg. Musical performers will include John McCutcheon, Ginny Hawker, Kay Justice & Tracy Schwarz, Lee Sexton, and many others. With six-time Grammy-nominated performer McCutcheon headlining Seedtime’s bill on Saturday, June 13, it will be a chance to share an evening with one of the many national performers who have been a part of the Appalshop family during its 40 years in Whitesburg. For information, visit http://appalshop.org/seedtime, email seedtime@appalshop.org, or call 606-633-0108.

From June 12-14, the Great American Brass Band Festival will fill the air of Danville and the Centre College campus with the stirring sounds of a variety of brass band music. Called the nation’s “most unique music festival”, the event recaptures the nostalgia of peaceful, turn-of-the-century America. World-renowned bands begin playing marches, jazz, Beatles tunes and many others early Saturday morning and continue through Sunday evening. Also includes a Chautauqua tea on Thursday, a band history conference and hot air balloon race on Friday. For information, visit www.gabbf.com, email info@danvillekentucky.com or call (800) 755-0076.

For connoisseurs of blues music, the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival June 13-20 will serenade the senses at Henderson’s Audubon Mill Park. Commemorating the legendary blues musician and composer, the weeklong events lead up to the Thursday, Friday and Saturday night concerts. Other festivities include a barbecue competition and a themed picnic in the park contest. For information, visit www.handyblues.org , email info@hendersonky.org or call (800) 648-3128.

Enjoy three great days of Bluegrass picking June 19-21 at the world famous Renfro Valley Bluegrass Festival. Some of the best Bluegrass pickers in the United States will be on hand, and you can join the fun with open stage or backyard pickin’. Festival camping is available. For information, visit www.renfrovalley.com, email info@renfrovalley.com or call 800-765-7464.

For the uplifting sounds of good gospel singing, journey to Breaks Interstate Park near Elkhorn City in eastern Kentucky June 20-21. The joyful noise is in honor of Father’s Day, with performances at 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. For Information, visit www.breakspark.com or email sonja@breakspark.com or call (800) 982-5122.

Back in Owensboro from June 25-27, ROMP (River Of Music Party) will heat up the air with a mega-event featuring art, music, food, dance, crafts, instrument workshops, The Bluegrass Masters Film Festival and performances by some of the hottest bluegrass bands from around the world. The International Bluegrass Music Museum hosts the festivities. Visit www.bluegrass-museum.org/riverofmusic, email gabrielle@bluegrassmuseum.org or call 1-888-MY BANJO or (270) 926-7891.

More information about a passel of summer music concerts and festivals can be found at the Kentucky Department of Travel’s web site, www.kytourism.com by clicking on “Festivals and Events.”

The Kentucky Department of Travel, an agency of the Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.