Mark your calendars for each and every Thursday night, August 26 through the end of September for live music, delicious food and community fun in Historic Downtown Dandridge! If you’re looking for things to do in East Tennessee with the family, you will enjoy this FREE-to-the-public concert series. A local restaurant will be selling food each night, so come for dinner and stay for the entertainment. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets! Parking is also free for these events.
Who’s on Stage at 2021 Music on the Town
Aug. 26 – Balsam Range
The 2018 International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range, has become one of the Bluegrasses’ most award-winning acts. In addition to winning 2018 Entertainer of the Year, Balsam Range vocalist, Buddy Melton, won IBMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year and bass player, Tim Surrett, won IBMA’s Bass Player of the Year in 2018. Their album “Aeonic” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and spent 46 total weeks on the chart. Learn more about Balsam Range here.
Sept. 2 – Band of Oz
From humble beginnings, the Band of Oz has grown to be one of the most prominent names in the U.S. beach music genre. Learn more about the gentlemen that make up the Band of Oz: Keith Houston, David Hicks, Chuck French, David Franks, Tim Morris, Daniel Morris, Chris Jennings, Dustin Ahkuoi here.
Sept. 9 – The Grascals
The Grascals are a Nashville based bluegrass band who gained their popularity by performing at the Grand Ole Opry, bluegrass festivals and alongside notable artists like the queen herself: Dolly Parton. Learn more about the bluegrass masterminds: The Grascalls aka Terry Smith, Danny Roberts, John Bryan, Kristin Scott Benson, Chris Davis, and Adam Haynes here.
Sept. 16 – Breaking Grass
Bluegrass legends, Cody Farrar, Britt Sheffield, Tyler White, Zach Wooten and Zody Elmore, just released their new album “Cold.” With influences ranging from rock, country, gospel, and soul; Breaking Grass is known for their high energy performances and unique delivery of harmonies that you’ve never heard before. Learn more about them here.
Sept. 23 – Blue Highway
Blue Highway’s #1 album “Original Traditional” was nominated for a 2017 GRAMMY Award for Best Bluegrass Album. The band was also voted the Favorite Bluegrass Artist of All Time by the readers of Bluegrass Today in April 2016. Tim Stafford, co-founder of Blue Highway, received honors as 2001 and 2015 SPBGMA Guitar Player of the Year and 2014 and 2017 IBMA Songwriter of the Year. Learn more about bluegrass superstars, Jason Burleson, Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, Shawn Lane, and Gary Hultman here.
Sept. 30 – The Tams
From Atlanta, Georgia, The Tams have been entertaining crowds for over 50 years! Known for hits such as “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy”, “What Kind of Fool”, “I’ve Been Hurt,” and “Untie Me”. The Tams have had several gold records and 1 platinum single. The Tams toured with Jimmy Buffett during his 1999 “Beach House on the Moon Tour” and even recorded “Flesh and Bone” with Jimmy! Learn more about The Tams’ rich history here and you check out this featured video of the Tams at Music on the Town from past years!
Opportunity to Support Entertainers and Vendors
Music has a way of bringing people together, doesn’t it? COVID-19 hit the local arts community much like it did the hospitality and entertaining industry: hard. According to USA Today, more than 100,000 community theaters, art galleries, music venues, performance spaces and arts organizations of all sorts closed their doors in the beginning of the pandemic, and many more followed out of concern for public safety. That’s why it’s so important to show support to artists and vendors when possible. If you love a band you hear at Music on the Town, purchase their album or show them some love on social media. Do what you can.
This will be Music on the Town’s 12th year of bringing entertainers, local vendors, local restaurants, and visitors together for this amazing East Tennessee event. If you’re planning a Great Smoky Mountains vacation or visiting East Tennessee for the very first time, be sure to add this event to your “must-do” list.
What’s for Dinner?
Skip the decision making on what to do for dinner on Thursday night, and let Music on the Town do the cooking for you. There will be a good old fashioned cookout on opening night, August 26th. Grab a hamburger or hotdog and support the Jefferson County Rescue Squad.
On the evenings in September, Music on the Town will feature several food trucks each night making your dinner-time decision quick and easy for the whole family.
Participating Food Trucks:
BubbaQ: A local BBQ food truck and caterer out of Jefferson City. Received 2020 Jefferson County Readers’ Choice Award for Best Ribs.
Celtic Cup Café: An authentic Celtic mobile kitchen based in Jefferson City. Anyone fancy a Jameson whisky glazed sandwich or Potato crusted chicken tenders?
Gearhead Grill & Catering: If you like grilled food and bacon, you’ll love this Jefferson City food truck!
GrillBilly Smoke: Home of the NOD sandwich, smoked meats and homemade southern sides. This Jefferson City food truck is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Taco Knox: All you need is love and some Tennessee Tacos. Yes, those are on the menu. This Knoxville-based food truck will bring the fiesta to your Thursday night fun.
To stay updated on food trucks coming to Music on the Town, ‘like’ the event on Facebook as updates are shared regularly.
What Happens if it Rains?
The show must go on! In case of rain, Music on the Town will move indoors to the Field of Dreams Activity Center.
Here’s the address:
Field of Dreams Activity Center
1145 Treadway Drive
Dandridge, TN 37725
A Day Trip to Dandridge
Taking a few days off work to recharge or spend precious time with a loved one on a mini-vacation is sometimes what we need for a mental reset. Dandridge has much to offer when you’re looking for things to do in East Tennessee or planning your Tennessee lake vacation. Visit the Dandridge Mercantile, try some brews at the Dandridge Brewing Company or learn about the early taverns of Dandridge and explore the rich history of Tennessee’s second oldest town before spending your evening listening to the amazing tunes at Music on the Town! There are plenty of hotels and lodging establishments in the Dandridge area near the Great Smoky Mountains that are perfect for a weekend getaway.
Looking for more great events this year? Check out our upcoming events calendar.