By Lori Burling
The Associated Press

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - With guitars hanging from their backs or song lyrics stuffed in their pockets, aspiring Kentucky musicians, for decades, have trekked south to Nashville, Tenn. - home to the south's largest music industry.

And no matter the genre of music - country, bluegrass, gospel or rock 'n' roll - the dream was the same: to land a deal with a major record label.

Kentucky recording artists such as Merle Travis, the Kentucky Headhunters and Steven Curtis Chapman each made their way to Nashville to score contracts.

R&B singer and writer Athena Cage, a Russellville native, wants to change that. Ms. Cage wants to open a Kentucky-based recording studio with its headquarters in Bowling Green.

"This is an untapped area," Ms. Cage said. "There is more than enough talent to support a record company."

"The key is capital," said Ms. Cage, who has been raising money all over the state. "I have worked with some of the best producers and writers in the music industry, and I'm confident they will help with this venture if we can get it off the ground."