The Farm: A New Management Supergroup With a Goal to Take Kentucky Music to the Next Level

The hills of Eastern Kentucky have fostered iconic country artists such as Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, Tyler Childers and countless others, however many Kentucky legends are yet to be discovered by the national eye. No one understands this better than Jason Partin. Jason, alongside many others that have strong ties to the region’s country music scene have drummed up a solution to garner national attention for Appalachian artists. They have just launched a management label, “The Farm”, with these goals in mind.

Recently, I had the pleasure of talking with Jason Partin to gain some perspective on The Farm and what they hope to accomplish. Jason stated that artists like Sturgill Simpson, Tyler Childers, and Loretta Lynn demonstrated to the region that there was hope, and with The Farm he plans to help similar artists garner the same level of audiences. The Farm has already been hard at work acquiring artists such as Tim Goodin, Emily Jamerson, Jordan Lee King, Bill Taylor & The Appalachian Heatherns, Conner Dale & Rachel Messer, and Moonlight Mile. 

Jason Partin spearheaded the start of The Farm through working with the artist Tim Goodin. The two have worked together for nearly a decade, but it wasn’t until January of last year that Jason officially started managing Tim.  When I asked Jason what he was most excited about, he immediately said his team. So, who all is a part of The Farm team?

Photo credit: Tristan Neal (Jason’s), Alexis Faye (Blake’s)

The Farm consists of 5 team members. Jason reached out to trusted people in the Appalachian country music scene to build his star-studded team and officially form a full-fledged management company. Shane Cooke, Daniel Crawford, Josh Trosper, and Blake Carpenter are among The Farm team and each bring irreplaceable, unique sets of abilities to the company. 

Jason started by talking about Shane Cooke saying, “he has been in all aspects of the music world” including running Tyler Childers fan page on Facebook. He mentioned that Shane is the type of guy where if you mention his name at a show everybody will know who he is, but most importantly everyone respects who he is.

Next up is Daniel Crawford who is described as a, “really really hard worker” who was wanting to get involved more in music for some time before this opportunity arose. Jason says that merchandise is Daniel’s thing, “He’s a merch freak and the king of posters, plus he knows people at any venue you mention”. Between his knowledge of merchandise and contacts at venues across the country, I could tell Jason was really excited to have him on the team. Every great team needs someone to keep everyone organized and in line, and for The Farm that person is Josh Trosper. Josh likely gets his ability of close attention to detail from being a current vice principal at a local school. Not only is he the one keeping the team in line, but he also has a knack for introducing new strategies and technologies to the team. 

What is a team without an enforcer? “Blake Carpenter is a guy where if you don’t pay our artists we’re sending Blake Carpenter to your door” Jason said laughing on the call. Not only can Blake use his past experience as a bouncer to ensure the artists in The Farm don’t get ripped off, but he is someone that knows everyone in the Appalachian region and can make meaningful connections with anyone he meets. He was the last addition to the team and one that Jason is really excited about.

With all that being said, you can’t have a music organization full of outstanding people in Eastern Kentucky without the helping hand of Jon Grace in the background. Jon is the current director of tourism for Bell County, a Kentucky Colonel, and helps to organize dozens of local events, such as the Laurel Cove Music Festival.

Let’s meet the artists that are currently on the management label:

Tim Goodin

Photo by Leanna Goodin

Tim is a “Son of Appalachia”, a self-taught Country Musician and Singer/Songwriter.  He writes the songs that he has lived his entire life.  From the coal mines of Eastern Kentucky to the sand and gravel pits of Central Alabama, Tim’s Blue Collar mentality presents itself through his music.

Over the past year and a half, Tim has seen some great success, having released an EP (Son of Appalachia) and a full length album with the Foodstamps (True Stories and Flat Out Lies), both debuting in the top 10 of the Billboard Bluegrass Charts, as well as in the top 10 of Apple iTunes Top 100.

Jordan Lee King

Photo by Carrie Wilson

Jordan Lee King is singer-songwriter from Middlesboro, KY.  His songs are a reflection of his Appalachian upbringing.  Jordan has played in little dives and honky tonks all over the United States, building a following of some of the most loyal fans.

Connor Dale & Rachel Messer

Photo by Eve Photography

Rachel Messer:  a singer-songwriter raised up in a little holler in Fort Gay, WV, draws her inspiration from the country and bluegrass greats before her.  She pens her lyrics with a straightforward “say it how you see it” style, true to her Appalachian roots.  With performances all over the United States, her time on Team Blake (Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice), and fans across the world, Rachel has worked hard to spread her voice and love for storytelling.

Connor Dale:  Alternative Country singer-songwriter, sings letters, stories and the things he sees happening in the world.  Kentucky born and New Orleans raised, he pulls from the life he’s lived in both parts of the country, creating a unique urban-fold sound.

Together, they perform as a multi-instrumental husband/wife duo; complete with the love, banter and chemistry showcased in their presence on stage.  They’re no stranger to hard work, from the struggles of being independent artists, to building their own 380 square ft. tiny home by hand, even living with no electricity for a season.  Nestled in the hills of Kentucky, the home has inspired many songs for the two, writing about the struggles and the joys of the life they live.

Moonlight Mile

Photo by Off The Trail Photography (Jim Cundiff)

Moonlight Mile is an American Alt-Country Bluegrass band formed in Sandy Hook, Kentucky 2021.  The band is poised as a voice for those many impoverished and destitute in rural Appalachia, gripped by the sting of addiction, brow-beaten by fanatical religiosity and oppressed by fascist regimes.

Bill Taylor and the Appalachia Heatherns

Photo by Natasha Taylor

From the hills of Southeast Kentucky are Bill Taylor and The Appalachian Heatherns.  Formed in the fall of 2022, Bill and the boys (Derek, Billy and Shawn) write songs about life experiences, whether it be about them, a family member or a friend, regardless of how dark or happy it is, that’s the story’s they want to bring to life.  Along with several in the fire, they have put out 2 singles that include “Strength”, “Freckles and Flowers” and “Electric Sunshing”. 

Emily Jamerson

Photo by Melissa Stilwell Photography

Emily Jamerson, a singer-songwriter from Prestonsburg, KY, grew up surrounded by music and family.  With a voice shaped by the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Emily’s sound is part folk singer, part mountain siren.  Her songs point to hope and reveal her love for the mountains she calls home.

To follow along with The Farm and all of the phenomenal artists they are taking on, you can find them on Facebook and on their website: