Tee Dee Young is a blues guitarist from the Bluegrass — right here in Lexington in fact. He’s been successfully writing, touring + “firing down on the guitar” for the last ~55 years.
Former mayor Jim Gray found Tee Dee’s career to be so impressive, that in 2017 he declared September 13 “Tee Dee Young Day.”
Let’s learn a bit more about one of our city’s most accomplished musicians.
Accomplishments
- “International Blues Challenge” finalist by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN
- Voted “Best Blues Band” in the state of Kentucky by the Kentucky Blues Society
- Voted the 2011 “Beale Street Blues King”
- “2015 Best Blues Artist” at the Lexington Music Awards
Entrepreneur
Tee Dee has never stepped away from the guitar, but in the early 1980s, he did step into a new role — business manager.
After touring the country + collaborating with world-renowned musicians, Tee Dee opened the Bluegrass Progressive Club , located at 266 E. Second St.
In reference to the early years, the Lexington Herald-Leader wrote, “Young remembers leaving the front door open to practice with his blues band, and people being lured in from the streets by the siren sounds.”
This turned into a bit of a tradition. The club is open every Monday night and Tee Dee + his band perform from 8-11 p.m. every Monday night.
Live
In honor of the fifth anniversary of “Tee Dee Young Day,” a celebration concert is being held at the Lyric Theatre on Fri., Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. The event will feature several regional acts + a headlining performance by Tee Dee Young himself. Tickets are now on sale .
Listen
Legacy
Tee Dee Young will officially be inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
on Fri., Oct. 28, 2022.