INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center will present the popular Meadowlark Lounge on Saturday, July 26 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at Eventbrite. Admission is $20 ($25 at the door) and includes beer, wine, and light snacks. Tickets for museum members is $15. Tickets can be purchased online at: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/meadowlark- lounge-july-2025-tickets- 1432047936929.
Performers this year include Katie Bardwell, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Dillon T Kuehn, a 19-year-old musician from Independence, Brian Leedy, a regular performer at Uncle Jack’s in Independence, and S.C. Olson, a 22-year-old musician based in Oklahoma City.
Katie Bardwell is originally from Frisco, TX, and discovered her passion for music at a very young age at a Taylor Swift “Red Tour” concert, when she “decided right then and there that I wanted to write and perform for the rest of my life.” A third grader at the time, Katie began writing songs. She started performing in venues when she was sixteen. While Katie’s immediate family wasn’t especially musical, the love of music has always been in her blood. “My cousin Grace played gigs, which I would attend whenever possible. Both my grandmother and great-grandmother were singers, so I come by my love of singing naturally.” said Katie.
Currently a Music Industry student at Oklahoma State University, her music blends heartfelt country storytelling with modern flair. She is inspired by artists such as Miranda Lambert, The Chicks, Randy Travis, Ella Langly, and of course, Taylor Swift. Katie has performed across Texas and Oklahoma at venues such as The Basement Bar, Rhinestone Saloon, and Calf Fry with Tanner Usrey, and she recently advanced in the Battle of the Bands at Tumbleweed Dancehall.
Like most songwriters, Katie knows that inspiration can come from anywhere. “I draw most of my inspiration from either personal experience, or from the experience of friends,” she explained. “Sometimes they will tell me something that happened to them and ask me to write a song about it.” Katie also knows that writing can be very cathartic. “It’s my way of venting”, she explains. “I’m better with words when I put them in the form of music or poetry, so writing is a great release. And, performing itself is very addicting. Once you get started, you never want to stop!”
Katie first heard of Independence, Kansas from her good friend Keaton Herrmann, who performed at the Meadowlark Lounge this past February. “I’m really excited for the show”, said Katie. “Although I perform in a lot of different venues, this will be my very first writer’s round, so I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
Sponsors for Meadowlark Lounge include Midwest Real Estate, Mr. Reid’s Workshop, Magnolia Scents by Design, John Lay Truck and Auto Sales, Sektam Independence, FirstOak Bank, The Tree Man, Independence Heating and Air, Microtel Inn & Suites, Independence Chamber of Commerce, KGGF Radio and McHugh Video Production. IHMAC hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. For more information call the museum at 331-3515.
