The iconic and profoundly influential Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, often cited as a catalyst for an entire movement in Country Rock and American Roots Music, will headline Sevierville’s 15th Annual Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will take the stage at Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass on Saturday, May 18, 2019 beginning at 8 p.m.
The band has toured non-stop for 53 years and racked up multi-platinum and gold records, strings of top ten hits such as “Fishin’ in the Dark” and “Mr. Bojangles”, and multiple GRAMMY, IBMA, and CMA awards. The band is perhaps best known for their groundbreaking “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album. Released in 1972, the three-LP set featured collaborations with bluegrass and country music legends including Roy Acuff, “Mother” Maybelle Carter, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, and many others. The album bridged cultural gaps by introducing a whole new generation to earlier styles of music.
The Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass festival, which runs from 5p.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, May 17, 2019 and from 9 am until 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019 features a full lineup of bluegrass entertainment on the main stage.
Friday’s musical entertainment begins at 5 p.m. with a live performance from Priscilla & Little RicKee featuring special guest and multi-award-winning songwriter Louisa Branscomb. At 6 p.m. Jimbo Whaley & Greenbrier take the stage followed by 11-time IBMA fiddle player of the year Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper at 7p.m. Two-time IBMA Entertainer of the Year Balsam Range headlines Friday evening’s performances beginning at 8 p.m. Since forming in 2007, Balsam Range has garnered 13 IBMA awards, released eight critically-acclaimed albums, and headlined major festivals coast-to-coast. Their current album, Aeonic, is available now.
Saturday’s main stage line up begins at 2 p.m. as five-time IBMA female vocalist of the year Dale Ann Bradley takes the stage for the first of two sets (at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.). Love Canon performs their acoustic take on electronic-tinged pop hits of the ‘80s and ‘90s live at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Phil Leadbetter and the All-Stars of Bluegrass are on stage at 4p.m. and 7 p.m. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band closes out the festival at 8 p.m.
“This is one of our most exciting festival line-ups yet,” says festival coordinator Amanda Marr. “Our goal is to provide a showcase of quality bluegrass and Americana music in the heart of Sevierville. This year’s festival is going to be fantastic.”