
Join us June 1st - June 3rd!
Harlan County
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Welcomes you to the 68th Annual Poke Sallet Festival!
2023 Poke Sallet Festival Performers
Main Stage | Thursday Lineup | Friday Lineup | Saturday Lineup & Headliner |Bluegrass Stage| Gospel Stage Lineup
Thursday Lineup

ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR THE 68THANNUAL POKE SALLET FESTIVAL, PRESENTED BYHARLAN COUNTY FISCAL COURT, SPONSORED BY FOOD CITY, APPALACHIAN WIRELESS, HEARTHSIDE BANK, AND HARLAN TOURISM
Thursday June 1, 2023
2:00-3:30- HEADLINER LOAD IN AND SOUND CHECK
3:30-4:30- OTHER STAGE SUPPORT LOAD IN & SOUND CHECK
4:30- OPENING CEREMONY BY SUNSHINE SCHOOL & APPALACHIAN CHALLENGE ACADEMY
5:00-6:00- POKE SALLET IDOL (ONE SONG EACH PER SEGMENT, 2 SEGMENTS, 8 SEMI-FINALISTS)
SEGMENT 1: SEGMENT 2:
1.
6:00-7:15- TBA
7:30-8:15- EASTERN SHORE BAPTIST CHURCH YOUTH CHOIR, DAPHNE, ALABAMA
8:30-10:00- STEPHEN MCWHIRTER
Stephen McWhirter is a worship leader, songwriter, recording artist and speaker. His testimony of Jesus taking Him from addiction to redemption is a central part of his ministry. Formally, a member of the worship collective, Iron Bell Music (which was signed to Sony, Essential Worship), today he is a writer and artist with Lula Street Records / Integrity Music. Also, he often works alongside Tyscott Records gospel artist, dove award winner, and stellar and Grammy nominee, Jason Clayborn. The two have multiple projects out together, such as the “Choir Sessions,” “Rapha” and “Born A King” (which aired on the Chosen tv series Christmas Special). Stephen released the song, “Come Jesus Come” on TikTok, drawing 500,000 views in about 24hrs! At the time of this release, he has seen over 100,000 followers and 23,000 have come to Jesus on the platform, in only 5 months! Stephen’s main focus is building the kingdom, & not merely a platform, by WORSHIPING JESUS + LEADING OTHER TO HIM! For more information on Stephen McWhirter, visit worshipjesus.life
Friday Lineup

Friday June 2, 2023 (SPONSORED BY KENTUCKY MINE SUPPLY & WASTE CONNECTIONS)
12:00-1:30- MIDNIGHT RIDER
1:30-3:30- LOAD IN & SOUND CHECK TRIBUTE BAND
3:30-5:00- LOAD IN AND SOUND CHECK OTHER BANDS
5:00-5:45- DAKOTA SAYLOR
6:00-6:45- LACI DEATON & COMPANY
6:50-7:00- HARLAN COUNTY ROYALTY INTRODUCED
7:00-7:50- BROOKLYN COLLINS
7:50-8:00- POKE SALLET IDOL FINALISTS INTRODUCED
8:00-8:50- KUDZU KILLERS
9:00-10:30- JOURNEY TRIBUTE BAND “RESURRECTION
Resurrection - A Journey Tribute, considered to be 'The Gold Standard' by which all Journey tributes are measured, faithfully recreates the experience of a 1980-era Journey concert. This dynamic and energetic band has featured some of Nashville's hottest musicians, many of whom have performed, written, or recorded with the biggest names in the music industry - including Journey and Steve Perry.
Every show is a brilliant reproduction of sights and sounds that captivate and transport audiences to the glorious age of arena rock. Resurrection - A Journey Tribute continues to garner worldwide attention and acclaim with high profile performances including, Royal Caribbean International cruises, Fraze Pavilion, AT&T Park: Home of the San Francisco Giants, US Cellular Field: Home of the Chicago White Sox, Hard Rock Casino and Hotel. Fans across the country, including Steve Perry and Journey purists, rave that Resurrection - A Journey Tribute is the ultimate Journey tribute experience! Take a look, attend a show near you, and then you decide!
Saturday Lineup
Saturday June 3, 2023 (SPONSORED BY 4TH GEN FUELS & CASH METALS & RECYCLING)
12:00-12:50- TO BE ANNOUNCED
1:00-1:50- TO BE ANNOUNCED
1:30-2:50- LOAD IN & SOUND CHECKS/TO BE ANNOUNCED
3:00-3:50- BRADLEY HALCOMB
4:00-4:50- SHILOH TURNER
5:00-5:50- CODY HOWARD
6:00-7:00- DM & THE 1601’S
7:00-7:50- POKE SALLET IDOL FINALS OPENED BY 2022 THE VOICE OF POKE WINNER SHILOH TURNER (THREE SONGS EACH PER FINALIST)
8:00-8:50- ZAC HART
9:00-10:30- NOAH THOMPSON
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ALL CONCERTS FREE OF CHARGE. BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR OR RENT ONE FROM HARLAN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL BOOSTERS
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People pulled for Noah Thompson when the Kentucky-born construction worker couldn’t pull for himself.
Some dreams simply seem out of reach when the limitations of growing up in a small town and the responsibilities of a one-year-old named Walker, make superstardom seem distant and meant for someone else. But America believed wholeheartedly in what Thompson couldn’t imagine for himself.
The current American Idol winner embodies the spirit of Country music: overcoming
adversity and the odds to achieve widespread acclaim and the hearts of millions. This is more
than a CinderNoah story; this is the culmination of an “American (Idol) Dream.”
Before he was performing for 2.5 million television viewers, Thompson was singing for a ragtag crew of a half dozen construction workers framing houses near his hometown of Louisa, KY (population 2,852). They were laborers with checkered pasts and/or limited options, and Thompson was a daily distraction.
“Those boys would have me singing any song they could find on their phones,” said Thompson. “They would push me and push me all the time. It would drive me nuts, but it obviously led to a good outcome.”
Likeable, humble, funny and clearly talented, Thompson was one of their own. One of the guys on the crew, whom Thompson had only known a couple months, decided to do something about it and submitted him for the American Idol auditions in Austin, Texas. “When he signed me up, it was a big ‘No,’ recalled Thompson, who had never been on a plane prior to the auditions. “I really didn’t want him to do it. I could never really picture myself doing something like that. Being in that environment, surrounded by famous people like Luke Bryan and all them, it didn’t seem realistic to me.
“Where we come from, it’s just such a small town, man. When you see someone make it out of here, it’s kind of like magic made that happened. It’s unrealistic in a way. It doesn’t seem like that can happen for you.”
During his winning season on American Idol judge Luke Bryan summed it up: “You are going
to ‘Aw, shucks’ your way to the top.” And then he did.
Releasing his debut song “One Day Tonight” during the show, the catchy, romantic track immediately shot to No. 1 on iTunes All Genres and Country charts and is still racking up an incredible number of on-demand streams, averaging nearly 1 million per week.
Now, Thompson is taking it all in and finding his footing as he prepares to release new music
with 19 Recordings under an exclusive license to BBR Music Group. He’s writing songs and
working with some of the most sought-after tunesmiths in Nashville, and he is working with
notable producer Jimmy Robbins (Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, Mickey
Guyton). “From the second you meet Noah, you’re rooting for him,” said Robbins, who has penned 10
No. 1 singles. “Not only is he incredibly talented, but he’s one of the most genuine people I’ve
worked with. When he steps up to the mic in the studio, it feels like he’s been doing this for years. I can’t wait to see what’s next for him.”
Bolstered by the American Idol judges’ confidence in his talent and the nation’s
overwhelming support, the early fan-favorite’s humble and kind demeanor instantly
connected with fans, and when he put his rough-hewn Country vocals on Rihanna’s R&B
smash hit “Stay” during the “showstopper round,” the rising star had his ultimate breakout
moment. The natural break in his vocals added a depth of emotion and an authentic ache to the song.
“People love that song, and I’m happy people are still loving it,” Thompson said.
And they’re loving it so much so, he’s releasing his rendition of “Stay” on July 29 – the song
that changed his trajectory on the show and proved why he deserved to be named the winner
of this year’s American Idol.
Bluegrass Stage
Saturday June 3, 2023
BLUEGRASS STAGE (COURTHOUSE GAZEBO)
9:00-9:45- Pine Mountain Grass
10:00-10:45- Cross Country Bluegrass
11:00-11:45- Kentucky Just Us
12:00-12:45- Pine Mountain Grass
1:00-1:45- Cross Country Bluegrass
2:00-2:45- Kentucky Just Us
Gospel Stage Lineup
2023 Gospel Stage Headliner:
Griffith & Co.! (4:00 - 5:15)
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For more information about this year's headliner, follow this link!
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Saturday June 3, 2023
GOSPEL STAGE: (HARLAN CENTER PLAZA)
SPONSORED BY HENSON & RICH FUNERAL HOME, HARLAN COMMUNITY TELEVISION & SANCTUARY SOUND
11:00-12:00- Load in & Sound Check
12:15-1:15- Nikki & Chip Headley
1:30-2:30- Roger Barkley & The Redemption Band
2:45-3:45- Chosen 4:13
4:00-5:15- Griffith & Co
5:30-6:30- Lawana Blevins Music
6:45-7:45- Last Day Seer
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