Photo courtesy of David Baker.
This story was originally published in the January/February 2026 edition of Paducah Life Magazine.
Click here to read the original publication.
The Ohio River flowed coolly and calmly as the smoky heat of pits and grills began to roar, creating a cacophony of conversations, traffic, and sound checks as Barbecue on the River prepared for its final day. It was my first time helping an artist get a performance at a festival. Carrying a large box full of shirts and a 20-pound camera bag on my back in blue jeans and a heavy cotton tee shirt in the humid September heat, I was overwhelmed, overstimulated, and overheated.
As our group arrived, a new voice appeared from behind the barricade. “Hey! Are you all here for the opening performance?” the man asked with a smile on his face and exuding joy. It was Foster Stacy, the talent buyer for the festival. “Yes! We’re still waiting on one person,” I shared, nervously knowing our call time had passed, bracing for the worst. “All good!” he exclaimed, putting us at ease as he shared his love for the artists and some general pointers for the morning.
From sound check to the performance, Foster’s kindness and hospitality was at full volume and so welcomed in the hustle of festival preparations. After our performance and we had finally left, his generosity left an impression on me for days. Festivals can be very chaotic backstage but, through all the noise, Foster tuned in for us and made us feel supported when most others would have carried on their day — something that I would later learn drives his vision and spirit for music festivals.
Foster’s Vision
Behind that kind and energetic spirit is more than just a side hustle; it’s years of experience, dedication, and drive to make festivals come to life. Growing up playing in the band at his church, Foster has always found an inclination to music. Foster moved from Carlisle County to Paducah in 2013, finding a deeper understanding for music and songwriting in Paducah’s vibrant music scene. But his love for festivals was strengthened when he was given the opportunity to play a 15-minute set at the LowerTown Arts and Music Festival by Kevin Davis. Taking to the stage to perform was a new experience and one that changed his perspective.
Since then, Foster has worked in a variety of roles at music festivals across the region and beyond; often doing the gritty, unglamorous work that keeps a show running. From stage crew to infrastructure, crowd control to artist hospitality, he’s helped produce some of Paducah’s most beloved events, including BBQ on the River, Local Licks, and the LowerTown Arts & Music Festival. In 2021, he decided to take that experience one step further by founding Four Rivers Entertainment, his own event production company.
The idea came after attending hundreds of festivals across the country and realizing something was missing back home. “I noticed a void in our community centered around entertainment events and festivals,” he explained. “I wanted to focus on providing an avenue for people of all walks of life to gather together to celebrate all that life has to offer, but especially the arts.”
Foster isn’t interested in chasing celebrities or building a big brand but rather on creating spaces that feel inclusive and intentional. “Music has a healing aspect we don’t pay enough attention to,” he said, reflecting on why he keeps coming back to the work. “With the right people in place, you can curate something that gives people something to think about.”
Living That Festival Life
Festivals, especially in Paducah, take months of preparation even before the first act hits the stage. But once festival week arrives, it’s go-time for the crew for days before and after the actual public dates. The average festival day for Foster might include loading stages, checking in artists, managing dietary rider requests, coordinating with volunteers, and still finding time to check in on the rest of the crew. And while attendees are just arriving, Foster’s likely already been working since dawn. “I’ll wake up and stretch, because you’ve worked an 18-hour day the day before, and then it’s just go, go, go,” he said. “You’re constantly making sure people have what they need, when they need it.”
But in the middle of that chaos, he still makes time to connect. He’s known for remembering names, offering encouragement, and taking a genuine interest in everyone from headliners to volunteers. “That’s what makes it easy,” he said. “It’s fulfilling to stand out in the crowd and watch the reactions of people up on stage giving everything they’ve got. That’s where it is. Kindness starts with that.”
That spirit of generosity has reached far beyond the backstage but, bleeds into the local community. Foster has helped organize events that support organizations like the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, The Merryman House, Family Service Society, and more. He sees event production as a form of service, a way to give back. “Sometimes we’re just consumers,” he said. “But we’ve got to be producers, giving back, putting things into the world. Putting on events is my way of doing that.”
Be Open to Anything
Events take time, money, and manpower—often from unpaid volunteers and small business owners who give more generously to support the local art scene. One of the biggest struggles of events in Paducah is the lack of any kind of formal outdoor venue, requiring festivals to haul in and place temporary stages that can cost thousands of dollars. “We expect a lot from festivals, but they’re expensive,” Foster admitted. “If we want Paducah’s creative scene to grow, we need real investment in infrastructure and support.”
For Foster, Paducah is worth the effort. He’s worked festivals in cities across the country, but says the relationships here are what keep him rooted. “Paducah has grown immensely in character,” he reflected. “The people of this town are good people. Because of those connections, we truly have the ability to step up and facilitate some great things.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone wanting to step into the festival world, Foster kept it simple: be willing to do the work. “Work under someone who’s done it before,” he said. “Be open to anything—running cables, hanging lights, climbing ladders. Be willing to learn.”
For Foster Stacy, festivals aren’t just about music or entertainment. They’re about people. They’re about community. They’re about showing up for others even when it feels like the lights are fading down. His work, even though he may not be center stage, makes everyone feel seen under the bright festival lights.
