The Scenic City is quickly becoming a music destination for people from all corners of the world. One of the best and most unique music events, the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival, returns to the Riverfront Oct. 4-5, 2019. The 13th annual bluegrass festival brings an abundance of toe-tappin’ fun to Chattanooga for 2019.

You know what they say - when you hear banjos, run faster to the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival! Check out the line-up below:

dismembered tennesseeansFriday, Oct. 4

The New Dismembered Tennesseans: 6pm
Formed in 1945, the Chattanooga based Dismembered Tennesseans were led for many years by champion fiddler Fletcher Bright and were regulars at the Laurel Theater, playing annually for the last twenty years until Fletcher’s death in 2017.

Mandoline Orange: 6:50pm
Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. The North Carolina duo have built a steady and growing fan base with this kind of intimacy, and on Tides of A Teardrop, due out February 1, it is more potent than ever.

Chatham County Line: 8:10pm
Chatham County Line has never been shy about crossing borders. Birthed from country rockers Stillhouse in 1999, the Raleigh, NC-based quartet initially referred to its sound as new traditional, “We were in love with bluegrass, so we wanted to play bluegrass without really being trained in it,” Chatham County Line’s vocalist/guitarist Dave Wilson says.

A Tribute to Bill Monroe feat. The Travelin' McCourys with Peter Rowan: 9:30pm
The McCoury brothers- Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo) - were born into the bluegrass tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops, and encouraged the duo to imagine how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music.

mountain cove bluegrassSaturday Oct. 5

Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band: 12pm
The Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band has been performing since 2008 when they formed the band at their high school. The band plays several genres of music including Bluegrass, Gospel and Americana. The band’s unique sound can be attributed to their uncommon enthusiasm and the addition of a harmonica, not common to most bluegrass bands.

Bluetastic Fangrass: 1pm
Bluetastic Fangrass will feel right at home in the Scenic City as they bring their bluegrass, swing, and swampy blues sound to an area that is no stranger to the tunes of the old Mississippi Delta!

Berklee College of Music | Bluegrass: 2pm
Businessman, philanthropist, and noted bluegrass fiddler Fletcher Bright first met Matt Glaser, artistic director of Berklee’s American Roots Music Program, more than 25 years ago when Bright wrote him to ask about the fiddle style of Vassar Clements. Thanks to the generosity of the Bright family, Fletcher Bright’s legacy and love of roots music will live on at the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Music Festival, especially when the Berklee fiddlers take the stage.

Fireside Collective: 3pm
Quickly blazing a name for themselves with their progressive approach to American folk music, Fireside Collective delights listeners with memorable melodies and contemporary songwriting. Formed in the mountain city of Asheville, North Carolina, the band plays original songs on stringed instruments, intended for a modern audience.

The Lil Smokies: 4pm
When people see The Lil Smokies setting up their acoustic instruments, they’re often unprepared for the electric energy they generate. The band captures that same dynamic presence on their last studio album, Changing Shades, delivering their exceptional songwriting and bluegrass roots with the punch of a rock band.

The Tyminski Bluegrass Band: 5:30pm
Throughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. Tyminski’s voice famously accompanies George Clooney's performance of the Stanley Brother's Classic song, "I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow" in the film, Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. His vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey, Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed over 1 billion times to date.

Steep Canyon Rangers: 7pm
With "OUT IN THE OPEN", Steep Canyon Rangers affirm their place as one of the most versatile bands in contemporary American music. The GRAMMY® Award-winning sextet has spent nearly two decades bending and shaping the bluegrass aesthetic, wedding it to elements of pop, country, and folk rock to create something original.

Music Without Borders feat. the Kruger Brothers and the Gibson Brothers: 8:30pm
The Gibson Brothers released a critically acclaimed project in early 2019 produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Meanwhile, The Kruger Brothers have long experimented with their sound, collaborating with string quartets, ensembles and full symphonies with their sophisticated take on roots music.

3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival merchandise and individual performer merchandise will be available for sale on site. Food from a variety of local food trucks, beer, wine, whiskey, and non-alcoholic drink concessions will also be available. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets, however no outside food or beverages are allowed.

This event is sponsored by Fletcher Bright Realty and the City of Chattanooga and produced by Chattanooga Presents! For more information, click here.