From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Kentucky Colored Troubadours in Massachusetts
(start date: July 1900 - end date: September 1900)A clever band of vocalists and instrumentalists from the Sunny South. This was the description of the Kentucky Colored Troubadours as published in the newspapers in Massachusetts. There was no mention of the band members' names. Nor was it ever stated that the band or its members were from Kentucky. During the early 20th century, it was popular for the name "Kentucky" to be added to the name of African American entertainment groups to give the stereotypical impression of care-free good times with happy singing and dancing African Americans from the South.
In Massachusetts, the Kentucky Colored Troubadours performed free open-air concerts on the same bill as other events such as vaudeville performances and clam bakes, all held at Lincoln Park in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Advertisements for all of the events were published in the newspapers from July-September of the year 1900. Some of the adds referred to the band as Hill's Famous Band, Kentucky Colored Troubadours. Lincoln Park (1894-1987) was located halfway between the cities of Fall River and New Bedford.
There was a small population of 12 African Americans who were born in Kentucky and lived in Fall River, MA, from 1850-1930, according to the U.S. Census schedules. There were 12 African Americans who were born in Kentucky and lived in New Bedford, MA, from 1870-1930. None of the African Americans from Kentucky were enumerated as musicians. However, there were 20 African American musicians from states other than Kentucky. Sixteen of these musicians were enumerated in the U.S. Census schedules as living in New Bedford, MA, from 1900-1930, and four were living in Fall River, MA, from 1910-1930.
No additional information is known about the Kentucky Colored Troubadours at this time.
Sources: "Lincoln Park." Fall River Evening News, 25 July 1900, p.6; "At Lincoln Park." Fall River Daily Globe, 25 July 1900, p.7; "Amusements." The Evening Standard (New Bedford, MA), 11 August 1900, p.8; Ancestry.com; Lincoln Park Remembered, 1894-1987 edited by Joseph D. Thomas, Marsha McCabe, Tracy A. Furtado.