UNDERGROUND
July 1-2, 2023
Award-winning Bluegrass Artists Descend on Grundy County, TN for a Weekend Filled with Underground Performances, Fireworks, Cook Outs, Cave Tours, Camping & More
Tickets & Packages On Sale Friday, February 3rd at 12p CT
Questions? Call us (931) 516-9724 - Mon-Fri from 9a to 12p CT
Sparks will fly Fourth of July weekend at The Caverns when a new bluegrass festival emerges from Payne’s Cove featuring a cavalcade of award-winning bluegrass artists. On July 1 & 2, 2023, The Caverns presents the inaugural Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival. In addition to all the explosive pickin’ on stage, the 2-day camping festival includes open jam sessions that any guest can participate in, All-American cookout cuisine, a special Sunday gospel brunch set, guided cave tours into the cool of The Caverns cave system, massive fireworks when the sun goes down, campground pickin’, and more.
Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival features underground performances by Dan Tyminski Band, Larry Sparks & The Lonesome Ramblers, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Appalachian Road Show, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, The Grascals, Sister Sadie, The Cleverlys, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Iron Horse, Missy Raines & Allegheny, Volunteer String Band, a Sunday gospel brunch set, and Blake Williams, the festival’s emcee. Becky Buller, an IBMA award-winner and local favorite, is the festival’s artist-in-residence and will collaborate onstage with artists to create special musical surprises throughout the weekend. All performances take place in The Caverns’ underground concert hall.
2-day tickets for Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival, which include free camping are only $89.50 making this festival an extraordinary value for bluegrass fans (available until March 31). Kids 12 and under are free. RV guests can add a $25 daily pass for an RV campsite (hook-ups not available). Can't make it the whole weekend? Single day tickets are available now too for $49.50.
The festival will also offer a variety of VIP packages for those looking to upgrade their experience on any budget. VIP experiences start as low as $399 with perks like a premium campsite location, access to a VIP lounge with delicious local catering, all day complimentary refreshments and snacks, open bar service in the evenings, and much more. For guests looking for a more luxurious experience, The Caverns offers onsite accommodations in its new climate-controlled Yurt Village with the Big Mouth VIP Yurt Package for two for $2,600 which includes access to a VIP lounge, and more. Lastly, guests can opt for the comforts of a local lodge with The Caverns popular Stay & Cave packages for two for $1,080 which provide lodging in nearby Monteagle, shuttle transportation to and from the venue, VIP lounge access, merch and more.
Early Bird General Admission - $79.50, plus tax & fees. Available until 3/31/23. Ticket includes admission to both days of the festival and free camping for 7/1/23 and 7/2/23. Sit in our padded folding chairs, no need to bring your own chair.
General Admission - $89.50, plus tax & fees. Ticket includes admission to both days of the festival and free camping for 7/1/23 and 7/2/23. Sit in our padded folding chairs, no need to bring your own chair.
Single Day Tickets - $49.50, plus tax & fees. Sit in our padded folding chairs, no need to bring your own chair.
Kids Age 12 & Under - Free
Saturday & Sunday Oversized Vehicle Camping Pass - $25 per day, 2-day minimum, plus tax & fees
This pass is required for guests with RVs, pull-behind campers, and oversized vans that do not fit our standard 20’x20’ campsites. All oversized vehicles will park in a dedicated RV area. Access to the RV/Oversized camping area is for Saturday (7/1/23) and Sunday (7/2/23) only. Electric and water hookups are NOT included. Generators are allowed and we encourage quiet generators. If you have a loud one, you may be asked to turn it off during quiet hours from 12a to 7a each night. Please be respectful of your neighbors. Oversized Vehicle spaces will be approximately 20'x50'. Tents can be set up if they fit within the space along with any slide outs or awnings. Oversized Vehicle Pass does NOT include admission to the show. You MUST purchase your concert ticket(s) separately. Everyone in the oversized vehicle must have a concert ticket.
Friday Camping Pass - $25, plus tax & fees
Set-up at Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival a day early on Friday! Friday Camping Pass is for one vehicle (up to 4 people) to access the campground for a 20’x20’ campsite on Friday (6/30/23) from 6p to 9p CT. This pass only allows for one (1) standard size vehicle to enter the campground. No venue access, just campground access. All RVs, pull-behind campers and oversized vans arriving Friday must purchase the Friday Oversized Vehicle Camping pass to set up in the RV/Oversized camping area.
Friday Oversized Vehicle Camping Pass - $25, plus tax & fees
Set-up at Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival a day early on Friday! Friday Oversized Vehicle Camping Pass is for one (1) RV, pull-behind camper or oversized van to access the campground’s RV/Oversized Vehicle camping area on Friday (6/30/23) from 6p to 9p CT. No venue access, just campground access.
$399 per person
You're camping but you'd like to kick it up a notch? Treat yourself to a VIP experience during Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival with the VIP Camping Package. You'll have a primo campsite—all the better if you plan to host a pickin' circle. What's more, when you're on the festival grounds, you'll enjoy VIP perks like access to a VIP lounge for a cool escape with snacks as well as a daily happy hour with drinks and local food. You'll get all this and some commemorative merch, too.
$1,300 per person / $2,600 per package, plus tax & fees
Enjoy the ultimate festival experience with the Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival VIP package for two. Stay onsite in The Caverns new Yurt Village located in a secluded and enchanting sylvan glade inside our campground and leave your worries behind. Not only do you have all the benefits of all packages above, but enjoy exclusive viewing area for yurt people only. Take advantage of the best accommodations The Caverns has to offer! Our yurts are a roomy 300 square feet, climate-controlled, private accommodations which include two parking spots, comfortable bed to rest each night, a microwave, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and private deck for hanging out pre- and post-show. We make it easy—all you have to do is park the car and enjoy the festival knowing you have a soft space to land within walking distance.
Yurt packages are for two (2) people to share. Two (2) Big Mouth Bluegrass Festival tickets must be purchased for the package. Package for 2 includes:
$540 per person / $1,080 per package, plus tax & fees
Escape to the mountains and relax in the atmosphere of a historic, rustic Tennessee lodge, rich in history with a warm mountain ambiance! You’ll stay at the world-famous Smoke House Lodge on Monteagle Mountain. Nearby you'll find local shopping, dining, breathtaking hikes with some of Tennessee's greatest waterfalls, the historic University of The South, known as Sewanee, a golf course, and more. Transportation is included in this package, so sit back and relax during your fifteen-minute ride down the mountain to The Caverns and back.
Stay & Cave packages are for two (2) people to share. Two (2) Stay & Cave tickets must be purchased for the Stay & Cave package. Package for 2 includes:
Tyminski’s voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of “I’m A Man of Constant Sorrow” in the film Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. He’s played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994, and been honored with 14 Grammy Awards.
Having begun his career in 1963 as a guitarist with the Stanley Brothers, Sparks is among the most widely known and respected touring musicians in bluegrass and gospel music today. He’s released over 60 albums and delighted countless fans with his soulful vocals and unparalleled musicianship.
Widely considered the bluegrass fiddler of his generation, Cleveland has been recognized 12 times as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s “Fiddler of the Year.” In 2018, he was inducted into the National Fiddler’s Hall of Fame. And in 2019, he added a Grammy Award to his mantle.
For over 30 years, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out have been touring and releasing great, original bluegrass music. They’re one of bluegrass music’s most-awarded touring bands with over 50 industry accolades to their credit.
Since its formation decades ago, Lonesome River Band, led by 5x IBMA winner and banjo player Sammy Shelor, continues its reputation as one of the most respected names in bluegrass music constantly breaking new ground in acoustic music.
This award-winning acoustic outfit is on a mission to illuminate the history, challenges, and rewards of life in the storied Appalachian region, and to celebrate the spirit of its people who call it home. Their motto is, “Authenticity never goes out of style.”
Multi-Grammy nominated Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen is a torrent of mind-blowing bluegrass. Known for their meaty pile-driving rhythms and Frank’s dynamic and bold vocals, the band’s massive sound and show stealing performances command stages worldwide.
These Grammy nominated, 2x IBMA Entertainer of The Year winners are timely yet timeless. The Grascals make bluegrass music that’s entirely relevant to the here and now, yet immersed in traditional values of soul and musicianship.
As first female band to be awarded IBMA Entertainer of the Year, Sister Sadie has combined the varied talents of each of the individual women in the band to create something that is far more than the sum of its parts. Their uniquely original sound is undeniably classic, hard-driving bluegrass rooted in forceful and tight vocal harmonies.
In 2021, Grammy nominated Raines was named the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bass Player of the Year, for the 10th time, more than any other bass player in the organization’s history. With her band Allegheny, her music is traditional and hard-driving at its core, but energized with Raines’ well-known penchant for originality and innovation.
Named Entertainers of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2019, for over 15 years Joe and his band have delivered energetic performances for tens of thousands bluegrass fans annually, including for Grand Ole Opry audiences.
A one-of-a-kind comedy/music blend, the New York Times sums up the band as, “If Earl Scruggs, Dolly Parton, and Spinal Tap spawned a litter of puppies, it would be The Cleverlys.” In concert, these accomplished musicians put their unique bluegrass spin on cover songs from any genre.
A 2x Grammy nominated band, Iron Horse is well renowned for their exceptional skill transposing metal to bluegrass while maintaining the identity of the originals, including songs by Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, and Guns ‘n’ Roses.
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist Travis Stinson, Volunteer String Band’s energetic and joyful performances find the group covering a wide range of musical turf, from timeless bluegrass standards and originals to raucous covers of Talking Heads, Grateful Dead, or Gnarls Barkley.
A 10x International Bluegrass Music Association award winner, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter who hails from Manchester, TN, Buller has traveled the globe performing bluegrass music while her original compositions can be heard on records by Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, to name just a few.
An accomplished musician and entertainer, Williams’ long history in bluegrass includes playing banjo for Lester Flatt and Bill Monroe. He played bass for Mike Snider on Hee Haw and performed regularly on the Grand Ole Opry for over 23 years. All this history combined with his humor make Williams one of the greatest emcees in the business.
GENERAL RULES & GUIDELINES
Prohibited Items in Camping Area - These items will be confiscated if found and may not be returned
Weapons of any kind, including but not limited to:
Firearms (with or without permit)
Pocket Knives, multi-tools, or knives of any size
Pepper Spray or Mace
No glass or glass containers of any kind
Illegal substances
Fireworks or flares flying prayer papers, or explosives
No oversized grills, smokers, BBQ pits, etc
No large open campfires. Please see “Fire” section listed below
Illicit goods or illegal substances
Laser pointers
Professional camera equipment or flash photography.
Audio or video recording devices
Noise making devices
No PA systems or speakers that can be heard outside of your own campsite
Pets, other than service animals; does not include comfort animals
No unauthorized vending
No gas/fuel cans of any kind (with the exception of small propane containers for camp stoves listed above)
No kegs
No drones
No golf clubs
No hammers
No unauthorized merchandise
No helium or nitrous tanks
No bicycles, skateboards, or scooters
No one wheelers
No threatening signs or apparel
Anything else security deems inappropriate or unsafe
Prohibited Items in the Venue Area
No outside alcohol, food, or beverage.
No Poster Tubes (unless purchased onsite)
No laser pointers
Bags, including backpacks, briefcases, luggage or duffle bags. Clear bags that do not exceed 12”x12”x6" are allowed. Small clutches 4.5" x 6.5" are allowed (clear not required).
No audio recording equipment/professional cameras/video equipment
No glass or glass containers of any kind
No knives of any kind
No backpacks
No picnic baskets
No tents
No bicycles, skateboards, or scooters
No wagons, strollers, or carts
No One Wheelers
No hula hoops
No frisbees
No large markers, paint pens, or spray paint
No unauthorized soliciting, advertising, handbills, posters, product sampling, giveaways, etc.
No threatening signs or apparel
Generators - Generators are allowed, but we encourage quiet generators. If you have a loud one you may be asked to turn it off during quiet hours.
Grills - Gas Grills are permitted in The Caverns campground. Oversize grills, BBQ Pits, fire pits and other large cooking elements are not allowed. A “backyard gas grill” and below is a good rule of thumb for considering your size. Please do not bring charcoal grills, wood, fire pits, any type of fuel. Propane tanks restricted to 20lbs and under only, no larger sizes will be permitted. All of these items will be confiscated at the gates and will not be returned.
Fires - Open Fires are permitted at the Campsite within reason. You may not have a fire on the ground. You will need to bring your own above ground fire ring or grill to have a fire. Please do not start a fire before your show begins or when you're planning to leave. All fires must be attended to constantly. If you do start a fire before your event, it must be completely extinguished when leaving the campground. No leaving lit fires unattended for any reason. The Caverns staff reserves the right to ask any patron to extinguish their fire(s) at any time.
Respectful Noise Levels - The Caverns institutes Quiet Hours beginning at 11:00p CT each night. After this time, we ask that you keep noise levels to a respectful minimum that cannot travel beyond your campsite. Amplified sound/audio is not permitted after this time. We appreciate you helping us maintain a respectful experience for the local residents!
Cameras - Professional cameras and all cameras with detachable lenses will not be allowed inside the venue . Please feel free to bring small point and shoot cameras, including GoPro cameras.
Coolers - Coolers and any outside food or drinks are not allowed in the amphitheater or cave venues. Please leave all drinks and coolers at your campsite and car. You are allowed to have your own food and drinks in the parking lot and campgrounds. No glass allowed.
Smoking - Smoking is not allowed onsite except in designated, marked areas. Smoking is never allowed under the roof of any of our caves.
Covid-19 Protocol - We recommend you come prepared with your personal Covid-19 PPE that matches your comfort level.
SECURITY SCREENING
Please be aware and prepared that all vehicles, personal belongings, bags, cooler and all personal items will be subject to search upon arrival and at any time at the discretion of the event organizers and security. All items listed in the Prohibited Items list below as well as all/any illegal items are not permitted in the campgrounds, performance area, parking areas or the venue. No glass is permitted onsite. No weapons of any kind are permitted, including pocket knives. All patrons will be screened every time they enter the venue property from camping. All cars are subject to search upon arrival at check in.
Upon arrival please pop your trunk and show security coolers. Please be aware that you will be screened for weapons every time you enter the festival grounds. Please empty all of your pockets and show security any metal you have on to speed up the process.
CHAIRS
Big Mouth Cave - Seating in the cave is first come, first served. We will have padded folding chairs available for you to use to save you from having to carry your own chairs to the cave,
WIFI & CELL SERVICE
Wifi is available inside the Big Mouth Cave and near the Gift Shop area onsite - no password is required to join the network. Please open your network settings and join “The Caverns” network. There is no wifi available in the campground areas or the Big Room Cave. Cell service is not available inside either of the caves. Please plan ahead and use wifi chat apps like WhatsApp or Messenger to communicate with your friends when on Wifi. Wifi is not available in the campground and cell service can be spotty depending on the weather/provider.
FIRST AID & POLICE
In case of an emergency please call 911 whenever outside of the cave. First aid is available onsite near the door of the Big Mouth Cave and at the First Aid tent in the camping area. A police and ambulance will be onsite 24 hours a day for your safety & protection. Please seek out event staff if anything occurs and ask for assistance immediately. Please reference the site map for locations of first aid. Please see/notify site staff or police if you see anything out of the ordinary, unusual or if anyone makes you uncomfortable. Also, look out for each other and inform staff if someone does not appear to be able to safely navigate the site so we can assist them and avoid any injuries.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please check out The Caverns FAQs where you'll find answers to FAQs about Underground Concerts in Big Mouth Cave, FAQs about camping, and FAQs about Cave Tours.
Or drop us a line at info@thecaverns.com.
Media - If you are interested in obtaining a media pass for this event please email jeff@thecaverns.com for more information.
*all times, dates, artists and policies subject to change at any time.