There is an exciting new Bourbon Tasting being hosted at the Frazier History Museum starting Monday September 8th and will take place every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday through December 22nd. This tasting is called Bourbon Through Bluegrass and it brings the history and stories of the evolution of bourbon alive by pairing those stories with not only appropriate whiskeys, but with Live Bluegrass Music!
Led by Bourbon Icon Bernie Lubbers, a.k.a. The Whiskey Professor, and Bluegrass Legend Steve Cooley, this live musical experience brings Kentucky’s Native Spirit to life – Literally. As the stories of Bourbon’s past unfold, they are paired with the appropriate Kentucky whiskeys that pair with that history, and then they are further paired with live renditions of the music that shaped a culture.
Kentucky musicians are highlighted through the songs of Arnold Shultz, Clayton McMichen, Merle Travis, and Bill Monroe. Audiences will hear about their influence on the worldwide music scene kept alive today by artists like Alison Krauss and Billy Strings.
People will hear it, taste it, and feel it. Live music being played on legendary instruments, paired with historic spirits. It is not just a tasting. It is a multi-sensory celebration of Kentucky’s Roots. Only in Kentucky. Only in Louisville. Only at the frazier!
Bernie Lubbers – Bernie is a Louisville native that traveled the country from 1985 to 2005 as a full-time professional stand-up comic with regular appearances on the national radio program The Bob & Tom Show. Jim Beam lured him off the road in 2005 to represent their brands alongside the Iconic Fred Noe as their Bourbon Ambassador. Then Heaven Hill persuaded him to work with the legendary Parker Beam in 2012 where Bernie still serves as their Global Whiskey Ambassador Emeritus.
Whiskey writer Fred Minnick credits Bernie with “Single handedly bringing Bottled In Bond Whiskey back to the forefront”, and in an article in March 2025, Garden & Gun Magazine called Bernie “Mister Bottled In Bond.”
Steve Cooley – has been pickin’ the banjo professionally since the early 1970’s based right here out of Louisville, KY. His longest hitch was for 18 years touring with the Dillard’s (The Darlings on the Andy Griffith Show) where they were nominated for 4 Grammy’s! Steve has also toured with Grandpa Jones. The Father Of Bluegrass Music himself, Bill Monroe called Steve personally on the phone and asked him to join the Bluegrass Boys on a tour with him.
Moorehead State University along with Bluegrass legend Bela Fleck just named a scholarship in his name in the creation of The Steve Cooley Bluegrass & Banjo Music Scholarship Endowment.
For more information, visit FrazierMuseum.org
