ETSU Bluegrass to be a part of Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival

On May 21 at 12 p.m., the ETSU Old Time Ramblers will be performing at the Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival in Sevierville, Tennessee.

The Bloomin’ BBQ Music & Food Festival is a free event held outdoors at the courthouse in Sevierville, Tennessee. The Tennessee State Championship BBQ Cookoff is also held on site that weekend, along with the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, honoring local native Dolly Parton in her hometown.

Live music will kick off Friday, May 20, at 5 p.m. with a live performance from Kat Wright. The event will last from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

“We are excited to bring Bloomin’ BBQ back to downtown Sevierville,” said Amanda Marr, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications for WVLT 8 in Knoxville, Tennessee. “Each year our goal is to provide a showcase of quality bluegrass and Americana music in the heart of Sevierville, and we feel that this year’s lineup will be one of the best ever.”

ETSU Old Time Ramblers are led by Roy Andrade, and they are an old-time string band from the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Program at East Tennessee State University.

The ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Music Studies program was created by Jack Tottle in 1982. At that time, no other four-year university had ever attempted to have a Bluegrass program. They work to preserve the tradition of the art, and they prove their dedication by having successful musical careers and performing at prestigious events.

“ETSU has been the leading institution for bluegrass, old-time, and country music in higher education since 1982. It is our purpose to honor the ways that these styles of music have been handed down for generations, while also encouraging innovation and exploration of related and newly emerging musical styles,” said director Dan Boner for the ETSU Bluegrass page.

All students, faculty and community members are invited to support the ETSU Old Time Ramblers on May 21, 2022, at 12 p.m. The address is 125 Court Ave., Sevierville, Tennesssee, 37862.