The Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival unveiled its music lineup, billing legendary bluegrass artist Ricky Skaggs as its headline act for the free event set to take place in downtown Sevierville this May.
Skaggs’s musical career began at age six, playing on stage with Bill Monroe and later Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, before joining the Clinch Mountain Boys, The Country Gentlemen, J.D. Crowe’s New South 
and many others. Skaggs has also made guest appearances with several artists over the years, including Bruce Hornsby, and the Vermont-based jam band, Phish. Skaggs has earned a total of 14 Grammy Awards.
“We are very fortunate to have an artist like Ricky Skaggs join us this year,” said Amanda Marr, Sevierville Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing and Communications. “With Ricky and the other fantastic artists we have set to take the stage, this year’s event will be very special to the community.”
The event begins Friday, May 19 with a live performance by The Hogslop String Band at 5 p.m., followed by performances from Paul Williams & the Victory Trio, The Church Sisters, and Thrown Off the Train (founding members of Pine Mountain Railroad) closing the night off.
Saturday’s lineup kicks off at noon with another Grammy Award-winning artist, and Sevierville native, Bill Mize, taking the stage. Dixie Stampede’s house band, Mountain Ruckus, featuring four-time National Banjo Champion, Gary “Biscuit” Davis, plays at 1 p.m.
Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, The Kenny and Amanda Smith Band, and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers each play two sets in the afternoon and evening before Ricky Skaggs takes the stage at 8 p.m.
“Whether you come for the great food or the great music, this festival has something for everyone,” Marr added. “Bluegrass music is part of our culture and heritage here and we are happy to celebrate it with this free event for our community.”
Friday, May 19
5:00 – Hogslop String Band http://www.hogslopstringband.com/
6:00 – Paul Williams & Victory Trio
7:00 – The Church Sisters http://thechurchsisters.com/
8:00 – Thrown Off the Train (founding members of Pine Mountain Railroad)
Saturday, May 20
Noon – Bill Mize (Grammy winner and Sevierville native) https://www.billmize.com/
1:00 – Mountain Ruckus presented by Dixie Stampede
2:00 & 5:00 – Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road http://www.carolinaroadband.com/
3:00 & 6:00 – Kenny & Amanda Smith Band http://www.kenny-amandasmith.com/
4:00 & 7:00 – Joe Mullins & Radio Ramblers http://radioramblers.com/index.html
8:00 – Ricky Skaggs http://www.rickyskaggs.com/
Sevierville’s Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is a family oriented event celebrating the beauty of spring, championship barbeque, and world-class bluegrass music. Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass takes place during Smoky Mountain Springfest in historic downtown Sevierville, Tennessee. The Barbeque Cook-Off is an official barbeque championship of the state of Tennessee and is coordinated by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce.
For festival lodging deals and more information about Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit online at www.BloominBBQ.com.
