Bluegrass Underground Concert and Radio Show

World renowned acoustic sound… underground!

Bluegrass Underground is a radio show recorded live 333 feet below ground at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tn inside of what was named by the first people to behold the natural amphitheatre, The Volcano Room. Here water and time entwined 3.5 million years ago to create one of the most acoustically pure natural spaces on earth. No man-made sound reaches the Volcano Room and the living rock hued amid the eons is jagged and uneven, providing limited echo.

The primordial silence and perpetual darkness give way each month to the sounds of the finest music of the greatest bluegrass musicians on earth. Regardless of outside temperature, the Volcano Room is a constant 56 degrees.

Your experience at Bluegrass Underground begins at Cumberland Caverns in the light of day. Tour guides lead you through the cave entrance and into another world. Your subterranean descent takes you past underground pools and waterfalls and to the Volcano Chamber where you will enjoy music in a venue unlike any other you are likely to ever experience! And don’t worry about silencing your cellphone…you won’t find any service here.

Bluegrass Underground is taped once a month and tickets can be purchased either on our website or at the Cumberland Caverns ticket office. After purchasing your tickets you will receive a confirmation email from Paypal and another from Bluegrass Underground. Print your confirmation and bring it with you to the show and your ID. An envelope with your name and the number of tickets you purchased will be waiting for you at will call inside the visitors center at Cumberland Caverns. All sales are final. All tickets are general admission and there are a limited number of seats in folding chairs right in front of the stage that are first come/first serve, so arrive early to sit close.

Important Show Information

Please arrive at least one hour prior to the show time . 3 groups will be taken to the caverns and seated. Because it takes 15 minutes to walk from the ticket office to the cave, three groups will be led to the caves to be seated. The first leaves 1 hour before show time, the second 45 minutes before show time and the last 30 minutes before show time. If you miss the last group you will have to wait until the show has started and be seated between songs.

The Volcano Room is accessible to those who are at least moderately physically active. As a hiking trail it would be classified as “easy” but there is a downhill slope you must go down and up again to reach the Volcano Room. Watch your footing on trails. Sturdy footwear with good traction and ankle support is recommended.

Please remember that Bluegrass Underground is a radio show as well as a concert. Patron silence while the songs are being played is appreciated. Patrons are encouraged to refrain from excessive talking or noise except between songs and during the intermission. Concessions will be available before the show, during the intermission, and after the show.

Please remember that the caverns are a national landmark and that ALL PATRONS MUST BE ESCORTED WHILE THEY ARE GOING TO AND FROM THE VOLCANO ROOM . Tour guides will lead patrons down to the show and back up again after the show. If patrons need to leave early or smoke they may do so only during intermission and must be accompanied by a guide.

Families are welcome…so are cameras!