Kentucky Just Us at the 2025 Josie Awards in Nashville (11/2/25)
Sometimes it takes ten years to become an overnight success. That’s exactly what had happened for Glasgow, Kentucky’s Kentucky Just Us. After ten years of relentless touring, sharpening their craft, and building a loyal community of fans, this powerhouse group is stepping into a well-earned spotlight.
Their dedication paid off in a major way this year when they were named the 2025 Josie Music Awards Fan’s Choice Group of the Year, receiving the honor on the iconic stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. Here is what the band said accepting the award:
“We’re so thankful and honored to be here this evening. Thank you so much to our fans who voted for us. We couldn’t do this without you. Most of all we’d like to thank the good Lord for giving us the opportunity to do what we love, and to make a living at it, and we’d also like to thank all of our sponsors and endorsers who believe in us and the whole Josie family. Thank you so much.”
To top it all off, Kentucky Just Us has also released their brand-new album, 10, a milestone project celebrating a decade of music, and signaling an even brighter road ahead.
My opportunity to see the band live was at the June 2025 Charlotte Bluegrass Festival. They are booked back for the 2026 show, a clear indication of their talents. At Charlotte I was able to spend some time with Terry O’Neal, Band Manager. I was able to get a good feel for how hard these young men and women have worked and how far they have come.
The band consists of:
- Kacey O’Neal – fiddle
- Jesse Meador – banjo
- Caleb O’Neal – mandolin
- Shelane O’Neal -bass
- Kolten Matthews – guitar
With momentum building, a new album on the charts, and fans rallying behind them, Kentucky Just Us is becoming one of the most exciting names on today’s bluegrass and Americana scenes.
It bears mentioning that this is the group in which John Meador, recently late of Authentic Unlimited and working now with Vince Gill, came of age as an artist. Jesse Meador, banjo player with Kentucky Just Us, is his younger brother.
Check their tour calendar – you’ll want to catch them live when they come through your town.
