Byron Roberts was raised in the hills and hollers of Estill County, Kentucky, living most of his life on Ross’ Creek, at the Estill/Lee County line.
Born to Delma Lee Brandenburg and Herbert Roberts. He comes from a long line of mountain music. His grandfather, Dud Roberts taught music and singing on horseback in one room schoolhouses in the Barnes Mountain area of Estill County. His mother Delma Lee, her father Fred, and her brothers sang gospel in many churches around the area.
Byron graduated from Estill County High School in 1986 and played in the band. Growing up with his parents playing JD Crowe and Raph Stanley upstairs and his older brothers Rickie and Jerry jamming to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Allman Brothers, and Wet Willy downstairs. This is where his love for music began.
Him getting to see the Grateful Dead in numerous states and Goose Creek Symphony at places like Lloyd Settles’ famous Goose on the Lake and the Hillbilly Nation Celebration in Wise, Virginia, instilled in him a dream. A dream that began as a passion and vision to create a place where mountain music comes alive, cultures collide, local artists have a stage, and thousands of people can come together simply for the love of music.
Then came Kickin’ It On the Creek. What started as a birthday party for Byron’s son and a fundraiser for Tyler Childers’ album Purgatory. This became a cultural phenomenon bringing in attendees across the United States and several foreign countries. Kickin’ It on the Creek grew to become a springboard for over 300 artists and a showcase for local talent. Several of these artists are now known globally.
Kickin’ It On the Creek’s philanthropic work also helped raise a significant amount of money for flood and storm victims for several surrounding counties and states, bringing artists together helping clean up flood damage. It also helped the local communities through donations for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, mental health, civic organizations, local fire departments, veterans and donated numerous musical instruments to our local schools.
KIOTC started in 2015 and lasted a short 5 years, however the love, friendships, and music Kickin’ It On the Creek impacted will last forever. It also has paved the way for several current festivals today including Railbird, Laurel Cove, etc.
Byron is very honored to be receiving this award. He accepts it for his family, his hometown, everyone who has worked, played, attended or had their soul touched by Kickin’ It On the Creek.