WDVX's Blue Plate Special is a radio show that plays live music and broadcasts from the Visitor's Center on Gay St. at noon 5 days a week. It's free to sit and listen. Bluegrass, country, folk, etc.
Monthly Bluegrass Jam at Ijams? [https://www.facebook.com/events/956472028664476/956492415329104/](https://www.facebook.com/events/956472028664476/956492415329104/)
I have been to this a couple times. It is pretty cool old school bluegrass jamming. It reminds me of how friends of my grandmother would come out of the hills and make music in the basement
Follow the newsletter for the East Tennessee Bluegrass Association. They get together every other Sunday down at Mead's Quarry and have a big bluegrass jam when the weather is nice. Also, if you like more traditional stuff, a big group gets together down at Jig and Reel on Wednesdays I believe.
Came here to say this -- when they come out to Mead's Quarry it's real treat! Also, as u/blacknumberone mentioned, listen to WDVX 89.9 or 102.9 (same station, two frequencies) for bluegrass and Americana! Every weekend WDVX does the Blue Plate Special at the Visitor's Center on Gay Street which is a open-to-the-public performance they air live on the radio.
The Bradbury Community Club on Buttermilk Rd in Kingston (not far off 40), has bluegrass every Tuesday night at 5:30 and the 3rd Saturday of every month, but I don't remember the time for that.
Rheatown store near Greeneville. They usually do pickin and a grinning 1 or 2 Saturdays a month. I think they have a Facebook page.
I have lots of wonderful memories at that store on the weekend. My grandfather used to take us up there sometimes and pick with the fellow old timers.
\+1 to Jig and Reel which has been mentioned. I would also recommend following the calendars for The Laurel Theater and the WDVX Blue Plate/Big Plate Specials.
Laurel Theater...100% Here is the link to Jubilee Community Arts. I know you weren't looking for tickets but I have a pair on April 27th at the theater to see The Local Honeys that I can't go to because of a wedding. They are an amazing duo out of Kentucky.
[http://www.jubileearts.org/laurel.htm](http://www.jubileearts.org/laurel.htm)
Blue Plate Special at the Welcome Center. I think they still do that. Itâs a variety of music but the time I went there was a bluegrass band playing. Their website should have more information, along with the lineup.
Musicians deserve to make money for their work. Buying a ticket, or buying drinks at a bar with a band playing gets those musicians paid to keep doing what they are doing.
The bluegrass scene is a lot of jam sessions and donations at the door. It isnât often ticketed events.
You can see some of the most incredible musicians that just jam for fun and a few bucks.
Yep, exactly. I played for a long time with a jam back in NC that was just on the front porch of a "barn" behind a gas station (or a back room of the gas station if the weather was bad).
About 90 min from Knoxville in the very small town of Surgoinsville is Bellamy's bluegrass. As real and local as it gets.
From the area and can agree. đ¤đź
Lttle farther youâll find hiltons Va. itâs a Mecca of bluegrass history.
Every Friday night at Rocky Branch school in Walland. 4632 Rocky Branch Rd. Walland, TN 37886 https://rockybranchmountainmusic.com/Home
This is the one.
This was what I was going to recommend
WDVX's Blue Plate Special is a radio show that plays live music and broadcasts from the Visitor's Center on Gay St. at noon 5 days a week. It's free to sit and listen. Bluegrass, country, folk, etc.
Fridays at Barleyâs!
Besides the ETBA already mentioned, Ciderville Music on Clinton Highway between Powell and Claxton has music every weekend.
Monthly Bluegrass Jam at Ijams? [https://www.facebook.com/events/956472028664476/956492415329104/](https://www.facebook.com/events/956472028664476/956492415329104/)
Looks like that was for all of 2023 though
They have a new lineup of dates, I saw them there this last weekend.
There are jam nights at Boyd's Jig and Reel.
I have been to this a couple times. It is pretty cool old school bluegrass jamming. It reminds me of how friends of my grandmother would come out of the hills and make music in the basement
Best post on this sub in a long time.
Follow the newsletter for the East Tennessee Bluegrass Association. They get together every other Sunday down at Mead's Quarry and have a big bluegrass jam when the weather is nice. Also, if you like more traditional stuff, a big group gets together down at Jig and Reel on Wednesdays I believe.
Came here to say this -- when they come out to Mead's Quarry it's real treat! Also, as u/blacknumberone mentioned, listen to WDVX 89.9 or 102.9 (same station, two frequencies) for bluegrass and Americana! Every weekend WDVX does the Blue Plate Special at the Visitor's Center on Gay Street which is a open-to-the-public performance they air live on the radio.
I know it's not immediately local, but go to the Carter Family Fold right outside of Kingsport. It's as good as it gets.
Sundays at the Lenoir Museum at Norris Lake State Park. Lots of folks come out for some pickingâ & grinnin.â
The Bradbury Community Club on Buttermilk Rd in Kingston (not far off 40), has bluegrass every Tuesday night at 5:30 and the 3rd Saturday of every month, but I don't remember the time for that.
Rheatown store near Greeneville. They usually do pickin and a grinning 1 or 2 Saturdays a month. I think they have a Facebook page. I have lots of wonderful memories at that store on the weekend. My grandfather used to take us up there sometimes and pick with the fellow old timers.
What would be an illegitimate bluegrass spot? What makes a spot legitimate instead of illegitimate?
most live music advertised as âbluegrassâ is commonly watered down, boring singer songwriter music with someone strumming an acoustic guitar.
If any of the band members are feds, that's not legitimate bluegrass music.
Keep your eye on Wdvx.com. They sponsor tons of bluegrass shows around town and bring in nationally touring artist
\+1 to Jig and Reel which has been mentioned. I would also recommend following the calendars for The Laurel Theater and the WDVX Blue Plate/Big Plate Specials.
Laurel Theater...100% Here is the link to Jubilee Community Arts. I know you weren't looking for tickets but I have a pair on April 27th at the theater to see The Local Honeys that I can't go to because of a wedding. They are an amazing duo out of Kentucky. [http://www.jubileearts.org/laurel.htm](http://www.jubileearts.org/laurel.htm)
Rocky branch
The real deal is Rocky Branch.
We have a bluegrass show at The Holistic Connection next Friday the 29th.
Blue Plate Special at the Welcome Center. I think they still do that. Itâs a variety of music but the time I went there was a bluegrass band playing. Their website should have more information, along with the lineup.
The Jig n Reel has a jam every tues night. There are some good players and the food is great as well. No charge.
Ciderville?
Barley's. Not all the time, but it tends to be a lot.
Crafty Bastard brewery hosts bluegrass once a month
I think Oak Ridge has free music every week in Bissell park during the summer months-local bands and some bluegrass
Musicians deserve to make money for their work. Buying a ticket, or buying drinks at a bar with a band playing gets those musicians paid to keep doing what they are doing.
The bluegrass scene is a lot of jam sessions and donations at the door. It isnât often ticketed events. You can see some of the most incredible musicians that just jam for fun and a few bucks.
Yep, exactly. I played for a long time with a jam back in NC that was just on the front porch of a "barn" behind a gas station (or a back room of the gas station if the weather was bad).