Longtime Lexington syndicated music show finds a new home
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- WoodSongs will relocate from the Lyric Theatre to Scottish Rite.
- WoodSongs signed a five-year lease; Scottish Rite offers 300-seat capacity and parking.
- First Scottish Rite concert Feb 2, 2026 will feature Ben Sollee and Over The Rhine.
After more than 13 years hosting concerts inside the historic Lyric Theatre, the WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour will have a new home when it starts its 2026 season.
The syndicated show hosted by Michael Johnathon recently announced it’s moving across Lexington to Scottish Rite on the corner of Rosemont Garden and Clays Mill. Woodsongs signed a five-year lease at Scottish Rite, which has a new stage for performances.
Its first concert at the fraternity-run venue will be Feb. 2 featuring Louisville cellist Ben Sollee and Cincinnati-based folk band Over The Rhine. Woodsongs, which started in a small recording studio in 1998, is known for live folk-rooted performances and interviews. The shows airs on hundreds of radio stations, PBS affiliate stations, the RFD-TV Network nationwide and American Forces Radio Network in 177 nations.
Johnathon said the Scottish Rite was an “excellent solution” for the show,” noting the new location had “an abundance of free on-site parking.”
“Music is the greatest transaction of the arts. We experienced a lot of love at the Lyric Theater and are getting ready to dive into a beautiful ocean of love at the Scottish Rite,” says Johnathon. “It’s better for the audience, it’s better for the crew and it’s better for the show because of the attributes of the theater — like its vaulted wood ceiling and amazing acoustics.”
After being brought to the Lyric to help reintroduce it to the region following a multi-million dollar renovation project, WoodSongs went on to host countless acts of note including The Blind Boys Of Alabama, Judy Collins, Brandi Carlile, Roger McGuinn, Billy Strings, Elle King and Tommy Emmanuel.
Also a mainstay with WoodSongs is its kids program, which has previously platformed future stars like Sierra Hull, Wyatt Ellis and the aforementioned Sollee — who was the second WoodSongs kid to ever be showcased. That arm of the event is likely to fit in well at Scottish Rite with the organization’s focus on community service, particularly supporting children’s charities and other initiatives.
“The members of The Lexington Scottish Rite are excited to partner with WoodSongs,” says Carl Gibson, Secretary of the Scottish Rite. “We feel confident that the legacies of service will be enhanced by the partnership. We look forward to seeing everyone in February 2026 and beyond.”
Although WoodSongs is saying goodbye to the Lyric, the center’s executive director, Christian Adair, says it was proud to subsidize and be a home for the show for as long as it was. In its absence he added that the Lyric will now close on Mondays (similar to other cultural centers and museums) as it continues to expand its free, community-centered programming like acting classes, dance, yoga, free movie nights, conversation panels, free winter concerts.
“It was one of the most iconic programs we brought to the community,” said Adair. “The patrons were wonderful, the WoodSongs volunteers were a pleasure to work with, and we wish the show continued success. We also plan to introduce old-time radio concerts and look forward to welcoming those audiences back in the future.”
WoodSongs With Ben Sollee And Over The Rhine
When: Feb. 2 at 6:45 p.m.
Where: Scottish Rite, 553 Rosemont Garden
Tickets: $20 or free for WoodSongs partners
Online: Woodsongs.com
Staff writer Brian Simms contributed to this report.