Underground Music Venue Comes to Grundy Co.

PELHAM, Tenn. (WDEF) — Music fans will soon have another place in Tennessee to watch artists perform deep inside a cave.

They used to have to drive to McMinnville, but Tennessee Valley residents now have an underground venue a little bit closer – in Grundy County.

It’s a location unlike any other.

“Part of what we do is shine a light literally in the darkness on these great artists,” said Todd Mayo, owner of The Caverns.

Crews are finishing getting The Caverns ready for its first shows this weekend.

Mayo says they’ve spent the past year moving dirt, then adding even better lighting, sound and amenities, to make this unique underground concert venue come to life.

“Bluegrass Underground is a lot about musical discovery and adventure,” Mayo said. “Of course, that’s the feeling you get when you combine a majestic cave in Tennessee with some of this music.”

And with this new, larger location in Grundy County, all Bluegrass Underground shows will be recorded here, and will air on PBS.

“We do about 13 episodes for PBS every year, and we’ll do another 40 to 50 shows that are non-televised, but just as cool,” Mayo said.

In addition to more shows, this venue can also hold more people.

“We’ll have 750 seated, and 1,000 standing room only, and a couple other things,” Mayo said. “We’ve got double the bathroom capacity, easier to get in and out of, enhanced concessions.”

Yes, it’s cool – literally – having a show in a cave, but Mayo says what they enjoy most is using this music to bring people together.

“Everybody’s together for the love of music, and that’s something that is special, and so you combine a real super amazing setting with amazing artists, and it’s profound,” he said.

If you’re interested in attending one of these underground concerts yourself, you can get tickets here.