FolkWorld #71: Bluegrass Underground

On the hand-carved doors to The Caverns there is an inscription burned into the wood in the Sequoyah script, the language of the Cherokee people, which translates to “Welcome To The Caverns, where the Great Spirit brings all people together through music.” But right now, sadly, we cannot be together. For the health and safety of our guests, our staff and artists, we must pause the music as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. Thank you for your understanding as we all navigate this historic virus together.

Three Million Years in the Making

The Caverns, known as The Greatest Show Under Earth, creates a music festival experience with epic 3-day Bluegrass Underground event.

Bluegrass Underground announced the artists for the TV taping of its milestone Season X on PBS. From March 27 through March 29, the Bluegrass Underground PBS TV taping in The Caverns will treat music fans to performances by the finest in roots music and Americana. This special 10th anniversary taping features bonafide legends like Asleep At The Wheel and Blind Boys of Alabama to rising stars like groove-driven jam band Goose, psychedelic soul Black Pumas, cutting-edge singer-songwriters Cam, Yola, Courtney Marie Andrews and Sam Lewis, harmonious duos Mandolin Orange and three-time GRAMMY nominated Milk Carton Kids as well as instrumental fireworks from bluegrass phenom, Molly Tuttle.

Jam-packed into one epic weekend of underground concerts, the performances will be captured for the 10th anniversary of the multiple Emmy Award-winning Bluegrass Underground series on PBS. To be at the 3-day live taping event is a music lover’s ultimate experience. The milestone Season X of Bluegrass Underground will premiere in the Fall of 2020 on PBS stations nationwide.

“It's amazing that Bluegrass Underground is the second-longest music series on American Television,” says Todd Mayo, Bluegrass Underground creator and co-producer. “And we look forward to the next 10 years of partnering with PBS in presenting the quality and diversity of roots music from one of the most iconic music destinations in the world, The Caverns in Grundy County, Tennessee."

While the national festival season remains in hibernation, Bluegrass Underground and The Caverns will welcome spring to the rolling hills of Tennessee with its unique, world-renowned combination of top artists, award-winning sound and lighting production, and breathtaking natural beauty, creating an underground festival experience like none other.

Most important, as it’s been since Bluegrass Underground began in 2008, music remains the main course. Here’s the lineup for Bluegrass Underground Season X PBS TV Taping in The Caverns:

Molly Tuttle - An artist on the leading edge of bluegrass music, steeped in tradition while driving the genre forward in today’s musical landscape.

Goose - This New England band’s mix of rock, funk, tropical grooves and extended jams will turn The Caverns into a subterranean dance party.

Cam - From a GRAMMY nomination to headlining the Ryman Auditorium, this multi-platinum country singer-songwriter is a force to be reckoned with.

Asleep At The Wheel - Ray Benson has now been leading a Western Swing band longer than Bob Wills, and he brings his iconic group to The Caverns for their 50th Anniversary Tour. Historic.

Sam Lewis - Best-known for touring and collaborating with Chris Stapleton (who helped inaugurate Bluegrass Underground in 2008), this singer-songwriter is one of the defining talents of modern Americana.

Courtney Marie Andrews - Powerful vocals, passionate songs from one of today’s finest singer-songwriters.

The Milk Carton Kids - One of Americana’s best live acts, the duo of singer/guitarists Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan combine close harmonies, wonderful original songs and humor.

Blind Boys of Alabama - A rousing Sunday in The Caverns with the five-time GRAMMY Award-winning gospel group that helped create the genre.

Black Pumas - Austin, Texas is known for its dynamic live music scene. Black Pumas are the city’s leading soul/funk band. Enough said.

Yola - Demolishing genre with her evocative voice and debut record Walk Through Fire, Yola establishes herself as the Queen of Country Soul from the very first note.

Mandolin Orange - Intimate and emotional, the music of multi-instrumental duo Emily Frantz and songwriter Andrew Marlin draws you into their world with a sound that floats like a butterfly, but speaks to the heart.

Three million years in the making, The Caverns welcomes all to the historic Season X taping of the iconic PBS television series, Bluegrass Underground.

About The Caverns, Home of Bluegrass Underground: In Grundy County, Tennessee, in a timeless valley near the base of the Cumberland Plateau, you’ll find The Caverns—a jaw-dropping concert hall located deep underground. Guests revel in the prehistoric venue’s natural acoustics and otherworldly beauty. What’s more, The Caverns is home to the Emmy-winning, PBS television series Bluegrass Underground . With a concert calendar that spans all genres of musical expression, The Caverns draws music fans from all over the world. Live music inside a cave, it’s a bucket list experience that keeps fans coming back to The Caverns time and again for “The Greatest Show Under Earth.”

The Caverns is also proud to announce Bluegrass Underground 4th of July Weekend Festival. The inaugural festival is a 2-day music event (July 4-5, 2020) celebrating Independence Day with world class music, including Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, The Grascals, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, The Cleverlys, Sister Sadie, Iron Horse and The Volunteer String Band.