The Kentucky Hayride

On air

• Sun, Thu · 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST

KICR Indie Country Radio · KICR · Online · United States

Modern;Gospel;Traditional;Progressive

About the show

David Pugh is an energetic, highly dedicated radio personality and songwriter who treats the bluegrass community like family. Born in West Virginia, David grew up tagging along to his father’s classic country band rehearsals, singing harmonies from the age of nine. He launched his broadcasting career at age 24 and spent decades mastering the radio waves alongside a 32-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. After retiring, David poured his full energy into his true passion: preserving and promoting authentic bluegrass. David's signature four-hour program, Mountain Bluegrass, originally found its footing on World Wide Bluegrass before moving to the Bluegrass Jamboree and eventually syndicating globally. Known for his infectious, warm personality, David approaches radio as a pure labor of love. In recent years, David has expanded his musical footprint into songwriting, collaborating with prominent acoustic songsmiths like Rick Lang and Snapper Long. His theme song for the broadcast is Lorraine Jordan's hit track, "A Little Bit of Bluegrass". On-Air Style & Sound The Mountain Top 12: A massive highlight of the show is David's highly anticipated "Top 12 Countdown," where he spotlights the fastest-moving bluegrass and bluegrass-gospel singles making waves across the national charts. Top-Shelf Interviews: David’s show is highly interactive and artist-focused, regularly featuring exclusive, long-form interviews with elite industry veterans and premier hitmakers. A Complete Spectrum: Listeners can expect an incredibly diverse, four-hour musical journey that seamlessly balances the hard-driving rhythms of traditional bluegrass with contemporary acoustic releases and classic country music. Uplifting Gospel Sets: Mirroring his deep roots in Appalachian culture, David features a beautifully curated selection of soulful bluegrass gospel music to encourage and inspire his global fan base.