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Local Bluegrass Music Events in East Tennessee

Although Tennessee is more associated with country and western music, the state has always had a strong connection to bluegrass. One of the genre's great originators, Lester Flatt, was born in Overton County, and the "King of Bluegrass" Jimmy Martin was from Sneedville. Although it doesn't host as many events as Virginia or North Carolina, East Tennessee has a number of bluegrass festivals for fans to attend throughout the year.
  1. 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival

    • Held in Chattanooga at Ross's Landing in October every year since 2007, the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival is a free two-day event presenting local, regional and national bluegrass acts on a stage framed by the Tennessee River. Previous performers at the festival include Cherry Holmes and Ricky Skaggs.

      The festival has a variety of food, drink and alcohol stalls, but outside food and beverages may not be brought into the 3 Sisters site.

    Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival

    • The Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival is held each year in May at the Raccoon Mountain Park. This festival is named in honor of a Tennessee bluegrass musician who died of cancer; a portion of proceeds from the festival are given to the American Cancer Society.

      The festival lasts three days, and in addition to performances from bluegrass musicians there are also workshops in banjo playing, bluegrass vocals and songwriting on-site.

      Camping is offered in Raccoon Mountain Park's cabins, and the local Days Inn also offers discounted rooms to anyone who presents a valid festival ticket.

    White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival

    • The White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival is an annual one-day festival, which has been held at the Tri-State Exhibition Center in Cleveland, Tennessee since 2001. Previous performers have included the James King Band and the Tony Rice Quartet.

      In addition to the musicians on stage, the festival also has a pre-festival party the night before the festival, a jam session on the morning of the festival and a "pickin' barn" in which to dance during the daytime.

      The festival site has both camping facilities and hook-ups for RVs, and there are a number of inns and motels in the local area.

    Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp

    • Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamp brings together musicians of all abilities with the aim of getting them to learn, play and enjoy music together. Kaufman arranges two separate Kamps, each lasting one week: one for traditional country and another for bluegrass; both occur in June. The bluegrass agenda includes vocal classes, mandolin instructions and dulcimer lessons. There are also slow jams and fiddle tune jams for those who want to improvise.

      Hot meals are cooked on-site, including vegetarian and healthy options. Although there are no camping facilities at the Kamp, the local MainStay Suites hotel offers discounted rates to those attending.

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