EKY duo Sundy Best was invited to join the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.
Hometown Heroes Join the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
During their performance at Manchester Music Hall in February 2026, Nicholas Jamerson and Kris Bentley from Prestonsburg were stunned by the announcement.
Sundy Best (Kristofer Lee Bentley & Nicholas Jamerson) — honored with a special exhibit at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in November 2023 — have been announced as official inductees, with their formal induction scheduled for October 2026. The duo will be recognized for their contributions to Kentucky’s country-folk scene, including hit songs, sold-out shows, and lasting influence.
The two have done a lot for the Kentucky music industry as a whole but have always stepped up to help the community in times of disaster like flood relief concerts and shows to benefit tornado victims.
When two kids from Prestonsburg, Kentucky, started playing guitar and cajón in basements and small bars, they couldn’t have predicted the reach their music would one day have. Nick Jamerson and Kris Bentley—better known as Sundy Best—have spent the past decade-plus turning Appalachian roots, bluegrass, soul, and rock into a sound that’s unmistakably their own. Their induction into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame is a fitting recognition of a duo who’ve carried Eastern Kentucky’s stories and spirit to audiences nationwide.
Their sound blends country, Appalachian folk, bluegrass, rock, soul, and R&B, creating a unique style often described as “East Kentucky rock ’n’ roll.” Jamerson sings and plays guitar, while Bentley performs percussion on a cajón, giving their acoustic sets a distinctive rhythm. They built a devoted following through relentless touring and self-produced releases. Their breakthrough came with Door Without a Screen (2012), later picked up for wider release, and Bring Up the Sun (2014), which reached the upper tiers of the country charts.
Why this induction matters Sundy Best’s music is rooted in place—stories of family, small-town life, faith, and resilience—yet their arrangements and performances reach beyond regional boundaries. Being added to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame honors not only their commercial success but their role as musical ambassadors for Eastern Kentucky’s cultural traditions. It also highlights the Hall of Fame’s commitment to recognizing artists who blend genres and push Kentucky’s musical identity forward.
This induction cements Sundy Best’s legacy in Kentucky’s rich musical history. Fans can look forward to more music and live shows that keep that Appalachian heart beating loud and proud.