In 2018, the ORNL Federal Credit Union introduced “Summer Sessions” − a free concert series for the community featuring bluegrass and Americana bands from throughout the region.
The credit union is excited to continue Summer Sessions for the 2024 season. In partnership with WDVX, ORNL FCU is hosting the free events at Yee-Haw Brewing in Knoxville and at the Museum of Appalachia near Norris . The move to the Museum of Appalachia is due to ongoing construction at A.K. Bissell Park on the new Oak Ridge Conference Center, according to a news release.
Aug. 24 at Museum of Appalachia
Wood Box Heroes will kick off the concert at 6 p.m. Aug. 24, with headliner Shawn Camp taking the stage around 7:15 p.m. at the living history museum at 2819 Andersonville Highway in Clinton.
An American acoustic super-group, Wood Box Heroes features acclaimed musicians Matt Menefee, Barry Bales, Jenee Fleenor, and Josh Martin. The band’s sound is rooted in tradition and when paired with their eclectic songwriting, listeners experience a masterclass in bluegrass music.
Singer-songwriter Shawn Camp has been on the Nashville music scene since the late 1980s. A guitar player since the age of 5, his music spans several genres, including country, Americana, bluegrass, and folk. As a teen, Camp learned to play the fiddle and his first job in Nashville was playing with the Osborne Brothers.
A prolific songwriter, he co-wrote several No. 1 hit songs, including “Two Pina Coladas” for Garth Brooks and “How Long Gone” for Brooks & Dunn. Camp has released several albums since 1993, with two singles charting on U.S. country radio.
His work as a record producer earned him Album of the Year at the 2012 Americana Music Awards for “This One’s for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark.” In 2014, he received a Grammy for Best Folk Album for Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture of You.”
The community is invited to bring their lawn chairs and join their friends and family for the free, first-time event at the Museum of Appalachia. Food and beverage vendors will also be on site serving delicious drinks and treats. Coolers, nonservice animals, and tents are prohibited at the Museum of Appalachia. Parking is free for attendees.
In addition to the Summer Sessions concert at the Museum of Appalachia, ORNL FCU introduced monthly Americana and bluegrass shows at Yee-Haw Brewing in Knoxville. The monthly series kicked off in May and will continue through September at the Knoxville taproom, 745 N. Broadway.
Free shows at Yee-Haw
Also supported by WDVX, ORNL FCU will host two more free shows at Yee-Haw this summer.
On Aug. 14, Five Mile Mountain Road will open for headliner Martha Spencer’s Wonderland Country Band. Taking the stage on Sept. 11 are headliner Amanda Platt & the Honeycutters with Sam Quinn’s Cartwright Brothers opening. Both shows start at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Stay informed about performances and any weather-related cancellations by following ORNL FCU on Facebook or visiting thesummersessions.com .
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Free bluegrass/Americana concerts in August as Oak Ridge FCU brings back Summer Sessions
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