12-05-2025
My Morning Jacket gets a Hometown Hero banner. Here's where to find it in Louisville
The multiple Grammy-nominated band My Morning Jacket now has a well deserved Hometown Heroes banner displayed in the band's hometown.
Just in time for the massive crowds pouring into Louisville for the 2025 Kentucky Derby, the banner was unveiled Thursday at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Formed in 1998, My Morning Jacket, includes Jim James (vocalist/guitarist), Tom Blankenship ( bassist), Patrick Hallahan (drummer), Carl Broemel (guitarist), and keyboardist Bo Koster. The band, which was in attendance at the unveiling ceremony, is currently on a multi-city tour in support of its 10th studio album titled "Is."
"You don't get to choose where you come into this world but I am so grateful the universe brought me into the world here in Louisville, where I have been fortunate to meet these wonderful souls with whom I've shared this journey," James told the crowd gathered for the banner unveiling ."It's been an incredible, magical, thrilling ride and we're so grateful for all the support. It's hard to find words for it."
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The band will play five shows at the Louisville Palace, Friday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 30.
For more than 25 years, My Morning Jacket has carried Louisville's name to stages around the world while remaining steadfast ambassadors to their hometown and the state of Kentucky.
"In 2008, the band had just played 'Saturday Night Live' and was getting ready to play Bonnaroo to tens of thousands of people and they kindly played an in-store concert on Bardstown Road at Ear-X-Tacy," said John Timmons, owner of the former music store. "The store was filled with hundreds of people and those who couldn't get in spilled out onto the street. To this day people still talk about what a very special afternoon that was."
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In addition to supporting their fans, My Morning Jacket has lent backing to several local non-profit organizations, including Young Authors Greenhouse, Apron Inc., Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and CASA of the River Region.
"We are thrilled to officially recognize this great Louisville band with this long overdue honor," said Mike Sheehy, president and founding member of the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation. Sheehy said approximately 170,000 vehicles a day travel past the location where the "My Morning Jacket 's Louisville" banner is displayed facing Interstate 65.
"It is a fitting tribute to local talent," said David Beck, President & CEO of Kentucky Venus. "The banner is a reminder that Kentucky is home to world-class artistry and can be an inspiration to the next generation of musicians."
"My Morning Jacket's Louisville" banner is part of the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation's Hometown Hero Program, which honors individuals with ties to the city who have made significant contributions to their fields and the community. Large banners featuring these honorees are displayed on buildings throughout the city.
Here's what to know about the Hometown Heroes Banner Program and future recipients:
The My Morning Jacket Hometown Heroes banner is located on the north-facing wall of the Kentucky Exposition Center's Armory building at 937 Phillips Lane.
The vinyl banner style images are a product of the Hometown Heroes program which was launched in 2022 and run by the Greater Louisville Pride Foundation. The 30 plus banners include notable Louisvillians, including boxing legend and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, actress Jennifer Lawrence, rapper Jack Harlow, entrepreneur Colonel Harland Sanders and more.
The Greater Louisville Pride Foundation has released the 2025 Hometown Heroes class which includes conductor Teddy Abrams, singer Nicole Scherzinger, Paralympian Oksana Masters, arts leader Ken Clay, the late boxer Jimmy Ellis, Dr. Kevin Cosby, Simmons College president and World Series Champion Will Smith.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: My Morning Jacket Hometown Hero banner, where to find it in Louisville
