It’s an exciting weekend in Warren County as two events, Bluegrass Underground and Taste of the Underground, kick off three days of music on Friday.
Drawing people into town from across the United States will be the PBS filming of Bluegrass Underground at Cumberland Caverns that begins Friday at 6 p.m. with The Mavericks, The Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, and Conor Oberst.
Individuals looking to purchase tickets for Bluegrass Underground will be sadly disappointed as it is a sold-out show. The same goes for Saturday and Sunday concerts.
Tickets are still available for the collaboration with Bluegrass Underground, which is Taste of the Underground offered at Park Theater. The three-day event is held on the same weekend and aims to keep Bluegrass Underground ticket holders entertained for the weekend around the cave performances. It also gives the community and all visitors access to great music and food.
Taste of the Underground begins this Friday, March 24, from 3-5 p.m. This will give crowds time to make it to Cumberland Caverns for the shows beginning at 6 p.m.
DeRobert & the Half Truths will welcome the event back to Park Theater. Out of Nashville, the band has a funk sound. BBQ along with all the fixins’ will provide accompaniment.
On Saturday, March 25, from 6-11 p.m. will be Battle of the Bands. This is held after the Bluegrass Underground show lets out Saturday afternoon.
A mix of openers, including Magnolia Wind from Nashville and local talent Tanner Hillis, will kick off the music. Battle of the Chefs, including the local tasting menu on West Main Street, and Battle of the Bands will be held.
On Sunday March 26, from 9:30-11:30 a.m., there is Brunch and Bluegrass. The brunch will include a bluegrass performance, and a loaded biscuit bar to debut a new, top-secret breakfast-themed restaurant opening on Main Street.
“It’s going great,” said Mandy Eller, Chamber of Commerce president. “Since the initial press release, we confirmed booking with the ETSU Bluegrass band. ETSU has a unique major in bluegrass and has about 50 bands in the program. We booked their Bluegrass Pride, which is the best of the best in the program.”
ETSU will perform Sunday morning.
The good news continues, says Eller.
“We’ve also booked K Phillips as our headliner,” said Eller. “K toured with Rob Thomas and the Counting Crows last summer and now lives in Nashville. Also, we have the menu for the tasting on Saturday night.”
Phillips will perform Saturday night, along with Battle of the Bands and Battle of the Chefs.
Battle of the Chefs menu:
Collins River BBQ (teamed with Edley’s Farm): “Pig Wings” & Supergreens
Good Ol’ Sloppy Top (teamed with Tonic Farms): Chicken salad on a croissant; Slow roasted chicken with almonds and grapes; pimento cheese and chicken quesadilla; homemade pimento cheese with roasted chicken, bacon, cabbage, cilantro, salsa verde, and special sauce.
Yard Birds (teamed with Breezy Meadows farm): pork confit w/ turnip green slaw on a hoe cake; chicken croquette w/ smashed potatoes and pork gravy; smoked caramel apple ice cream
Topz frozen yogurt: Homemade brownie with assorted options of frozen yogurt with various local toppings. Located across from the Park Theater, the doors will be open to ticketholders to try out their favorite combinations.
Admission prices: Friday $20, Saturday $50, Sunday $30, Friday and Saturday pass $65, and a three-day pass is $90. Tickets are available at the Chamber, 473-6611. They will also be available at the door.