When locally-loved and internationally-known musician, J.D. Wilkes performs, he takes Paducah’s creativity along for the world to see!
"To share [Paducah] with the world, through UNESCO, is the ultimate thrill."
The multi-talented Paducah musician, author and visual artist reflects fondly on the "old Paducah" of his childhood and how those memories inspired him to delve into the tunes and tales of the region. "Then to share those with the world, through UNESCO, is the ultimate thrill for a homesick guy like me," he muses.
Follow Wilkes' adventures abroad representing Paducah in cultural exchange and our fellow UNESCO Creative Cities!
“I am deeply honored to represent my hometown during my travels abroad," says Wilkes. "Before every European tour with my band, Legendary Shack Shakers, I consult with the Paducah Visitors Bureau whether any of our stops include a UNESCO city. So far I’ve gotten lucky three times, first with Dublin, Ireland then Glasgow, and most recently in Edinburgh, Scotland.”
Edinburgh, UNESCO Creative City of Literature
Presenting Rebecca and Sian from the Scottish Storytelling Center in Edinburgh with a collection of literature from Paducah, including a copy of his new novel, The Vine That Ate The South