Bluegrass Underground the TV series could once again see financial assistance from the city of McMinnville, with possibly less resistance than it was given in 2012.
“I think we need to send a thank you letter to the producers of Bluegrass Underground,” said Vice Mayor Ben Newman. “They held their taping last weekend and it was impressive. It appeared to be a success. Those guys did a great job.”
Filming was held March 8-10 in the Volcano Room of Cumberland Caverns. The three-day event featured 12 bands performing to be included in season three of the TV series.
Officials voted last year to underwrite the production of Bluegrass Underground for season one with $50,000. Newman says he is thankful for the decision.
“I’m so glad the city decided to fund it,” said Newman. “Bluegrass Underground’s success is good for the city and good for the community.”
As underwriters of the show, meaning it purchased advertising, the city was allowed to request free passes to filming sessions. In attendance were Newman, as well as Mayor Jimmy Haley and Aldermen Billy Wood, Jimmy Bonner and Mike Neal.
The production also drew visitors from far and wide.
“Did you see the license plates on some of the vehicles?” asked Wood. “I saw ones from South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.”
Newman added, “I saw ones from New York, Wyoming, Colorado, Iowa, Indiana and California.”
The measure to underwrite Bluegrass Underground did not pass unanimously in 2012. Instead, it split the board 4-3, with Dr. Norman Rone and Aldermen Billy Wood and former aldermen Clair Cochran and Everett Brock voting in favor of it, and Mayor Jimmy Haley, who was an alderman at the time, and Alderman Rick Barnes and former alderman Junior Medley voting against it.
Haley’s vote may be changing.
“I think we need to make sure we put it into our budget,” said Haley. “I don’t know how much it will cost. When talking to county this week, I’m not sure if it was in their agenda to fund Bluegrass Underground this year.”
Warren County sponsored the show’s first season with TECH-REDI (the Regional Economic Development Institute at Tennessee Tech University) money.
“If that’s a motion to double what we gave last time, I second it,” said Wood.
With laughter from the board, Haley stated, “I did not make a motion. I just need to make sure it’s in our budget to be considered.”
It is unknown at this time how much advertising will cost in the third season of the series.