Toward the beginning of last month, the lineup for 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival was announced, leaving bluegrass-lovers in the Chattanooga area very excited for the return of this annual treat. Coming to Ross's Landing Oct. 4 and 5, this world-renowned - free - bluegrass festival will once again bring some of the top bluegrass talents in the country to downtown Chattanooga.
This month's major local music fest, the sold-out Moon River Festival (Sept. 7 and 8), will deliver a large dose of outstanding Americana, but bluegrass fans in the Scenic City do not have to wait until October to get their fix. There are at least three opportunities to catch some great bluegrass acts nearby this month. The Caverns in Pelham, Tenn., is hosting Old Crow Medicine Show on Sunday, Sept. 8, and is bringing Greensky Bluegrass in on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Also, on Saturday, Sept. 14, Songbirds Guitar Museum has scheduled a special concert performance featuring bluegrass royalty, The Earls of Leicester.
Originally put together by longtime bluegrass great Jerry Douglas in 2013, the goal of The Earls of Leicester was to perform the music of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, preserving and honoring their classic bluegrass sound for older fans while introducing their music to eager new fans. The popularity of the project well surpassed any expectations Douglas and the band had. In late 2018 they released their third album, "Live at The CMA Theater in The Country Music Hall of Fame," and are still out on tour in support of this album. Chattanooga luckily earned a date on the tour, giving locals an opportunity to see Douglas and the band perform bluegrass classics.
New music playlist
“Heart of My Love” by Breaking Grass“Leaving Virginia” by Deer Creek Boys“Change of Pace” by Andy Frasco & The U.N.“Loving You is Killing Me” by Rev. Sekou“Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms” by The Earls of Leicester“Carry Me Away” by The Infamous Stringdusters“Can’t Find My Heart” by Broken Social Scene“Weeping Willow” by Ruston Kelly“Peep Game” by Tobe Nwigwe“Wide Awake” by Frances Cone“Stay High” by Brittany Howard“Do It Alone” by Greensky Bluegrass“Giving Up” by Whitney“Gimme Time” by Ra Ra Riot“U.F.O.F.” by Big Thief“Straight Shot” by DeVotchKa
Stay tuned for these upcoming shows:
Rev. Sekou & The Freedom Fighters mixes gospel, soul and Southern blues, and activist, theologist, author and frontman Rev. Sekou will bring his band and upbeat stage presence to the lawn of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center on Thursday 9/12 for the Levitt AMP Chattanooga Music Series.
Americana singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly is out on his headlining tour and will perform at Songbirds Guitar Museum on Wednesday 9/18 with fellow singer-songwriter Donovan Woods on for support.
Michigan-born and national touring jamgrass band Greensky Bluegrass is scheduled to perform in The Caverns of Pelham, TN, on Wednesday 9/25.
Colorado-based indie rock band DeVotchKa is teaming up with The Joy Formidable for a special performance in Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, TN, on Saturday 9/28.