BY PHILL BARNETT
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISA — This past Saturday, the Country Music Starcase and Museum, in collaboration with Lawrence County Tourism, celebrated the induction of four new female artists into the Country Music Highway at a ceremony along US 23. Honorees included Yvonne Jordan of Lawrence County, Julie Reeves of Boyd County, and Teddi Cyrus and JoJo Hall as JoLeigh, who have each been added to their respective counties’ Country Music Highway signs.
The event featured a public reception at the Kentucky Pavilion at Falls Creek in Louisa—locally known as “the Birdhouse”—where local performer Mattox Hale performed for attendees. The ceremony also unveiled a giant guitar dedicated to Chris Stapleton as part of the Pavilion’s GuitarTown Collection.
Julie Reeves, originally from Ashland, made her mark in the late 90s with her debut album “It’s About Time” which produced multiple Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. She later transitioned into a successful radio career. Her morning show “Julie Reeves Live” was the most popular morning radio show in the tri-state for several years. She currently hosts the popular midday show Big Buck Country.
“I never expected to have my name on a highway sign,” Reeves told the Mountain Citizen.
Reeves told us the story of how she took time off from her music career to spend time with her family.
“Now my kids are raised and I’m singing again,” Reeves explained. “So for this to happen now, it’s just perfect timing.”
Yvonne Jordan toured the world for 12 years as a backup singer for country legend Tammy Wynette. A native of Louisa, she began her singing career in her family’s band before pursuing her own path in country music.
Teddi Cyrus and JoJo Hall, sisters from Floyd County, grew up performing in their grandfather’s church in Drift and later performing together in Billie Jean Osborne’s Kentucky Opry. They recently formed the duo JoLeigh and signed with Bonfire Music Group. Teddi is married to Bobby Cyrus, a cousin of Billy Ray Cyrus, and continues to play an active role in the Kentucky country music scene as the pair now direct the Kentucky Opry Jr. Pros program. At the event Saturday, Bobby Cyrus hinted at a tour that he, JoLeigh, and Billy Ray Cyrus have planned for next year.