Mewz in now in its seventh year on the Kentucky music scene, and we’ve had some surreal experiences and met some unforgettable people. All photos are property of Mewz, by Crystal Jones unless otherwise noted.
A Voice in the Mountains
Mewz began on WSGS out of Hazard Kentucky in 2018, as a segment of the morning show. We used to be called A ‘Voice’ in the Mountains, and our first handful of episodes were aired in the form of a friendly singing competition. The interest in local artists was evident and the show earned a regular spot after the contest ended.
Hometown Radio
After a year at WSGS, I took the show to my hometown of Jackson Kentucky to WJSN. The show aired on Thursdays and we garnered an audience of over 1k for our first episode.
MEWZ
The pandemic put terrestrial radio (radio that’s not online) in financial hardship, and iHeart radio took this opportunity to buy up most of the small stations around the country. The few who remained were limited to budget restraints and our contract was not renewed, as a non commercial local program.
Production adapted to the podcast platform, and we rebranded ourselves as the source for music and entertainment news. MEWZ.
In January of 2022, after spending a few seasons studying the festivals and shadowing their planners and promoters, Mewz decided it was time to have a festival of our own. By music lovers, for music lovers.
We planned our festival for September of 2022.
But mother nature had other plans, and in July of 2022, East Kentucky, including our home county and venue for the festival, were hit by the most devastating floods in recent history. By September, the area was still in mourning and traumatized. The venue wasn’t quit ready for the 500 people who had shown interested in our event. Festival of the Mewz was postponed until further notice.
In early 2023, Mewz relocated to Berea Kentucky. We took a deep breath and started planning the festival again. September again, around late August, due to zoning issues, and too late to raise the money for another venue, we were faced with cancellation yet again.
So what about a festival? We’re hopeful. We need a venue. Mewz is not a non profit, we’re a small business, supporting other small business. We put the front porch pickers on the radio and the people who have never played a festival before on stage. We support the artists with day jobs and the creative side hustlers.
We’re expanding our reach to this website, and Mewz Magazine. We are gathering groups of the sharpest creative minds, sharing ideas and staying focused and….. and we will keep you updated….
A MEWZ In The Mountains LLC 