Roots Rendezvous returns to Hop Springs Beer Park this year, carrying forward the musical tradition of Murfreesboro’s Uncle Dave Macon Days with three days of live Americana and bluegrass music, dance, crafts and community connection. The festival runs the full weekend of Sept. 19–21.
For decades, Uncle Dave Macon Days was a summer staple on the Murfreesboro Public Square, and later at Cannonsburgh Village, drawing fans of bluegrass, old-time music and clogging to celebrate the influence of the Grand Ole Opry’s first superstar, Rutherford County resident Uncle Dave Macon. The event, founded in 1978, became a nationally recognized competition and celebration of traditional music.
This year’s September incarnation of the festival expands that vision to include an even wider showcase of Americana, folk and gospel music and other creative performances and events.
Hop Springs will host two stages—one indoors, one outside—as well as food trucks and artisan markets Friday through Sunday Sept. 19–21.
As this year’s headliner, organizers have selected The Cleverlys [pictured top], the comedy-bluegrass group that blends instrumental virtuosity with Southern humor. Their catalog of cover tunes performed string band-style include “Angel” by Shaggy, “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé, “She’s Not There” by The Zombies, “Gangnam Style” by Psy, “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers, “No Diggity” by Blackstreet, “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes and “Baby” by Justin Bieber.
The Cleverlys will be joined on the bill by Stones River Bluegrass, the Jake Leg Stompers, Whiskey Smoke, the Noelle Goodin Band, the Delyn Christian Trio (presenting a special John Prine tribute), the Cripple Creek Cloggers, Slim Chance Band, Caleb Edwards & Zack White, Lisa Law and others.
On Friday evening, fans can catch the next installment of the Dewdrop Jamboree variety show, this one featuring Grand Ole Opry member and multi-instrumentalist Charlie McCoy [below]—a skilled harmonica player who ties the festival directly back to the golden era of country and roots music.
This year, Roots Rendezvous partners with Habitat for Humanity, which will hold its annual Hammer Down Poker Run and Antique Car Show simultaneously with the festival. The 100-mile poker run, raising funds for home-building projects in Rutherford County, will kick off from the Habitat ReStore in Murfreesboro (850 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) at 8 a.m. on Saturday, lead its riders on a scenic tour of Middle Tennessee, and will end at Hop Springs later that day, depositing its participants in the midst of the Roots Rendezvous festivities.
Festival-goers can also browse an artisan market of handmade crafts, jewelry and regional foods, take a mule-led wagon ride, or explore the Harvest to Hoedown exhibit, which highlights rural life and the Roots of America story.
Sunday’s Gospel Extravaganza jam from 1–2:30 p.m. rounds out the weekend with music and a community service fair.
“Our goal with Roots Rendezvous has always been to unite music lovers, artisans and community groups in a celebration of Southern heritage,” said festival director Gloria Christy. “This year, teaming up with Habitat for Humanity brings an even deeper purpose: combining our love of music with hands-on community building. We can’t wait to see the Hop Springs landscape come alive.”
Parking is $10 per car. Hop Springs is located at 6790 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro.
For more information, visit rootsrendezvous.com.
2025 Roots Rendezvous Lineup
Friday, Sept. 19
3 p.m. – Gates open
4 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies; MTSU String Band (outside)
5:15 p.m. – Stones River Bluegrass (outside)
6:30 p.m. – Dewdrop Jamboree (inside)
8:30 p.m. – Jake Leg Stompers (outside)
Saturday, Sept. 20
10 a.m. – Gates open
11:30 a.m. – Habitat for Humanity awards; Whiskey Smoke (outside)
2:15 p.m. – Noelle Goodin Band (outside)
3:30 p.m. – Cripple Creek Cloggers/Slim Chance Band (inside)
5:15 p.m. – Delyn Christian Trio/John Prine tribute (inside)
7:45 p.m. – Caleb Edwards and Zack White (outside)
8:30 p.m. – The Cleverlys (outside)
Sunday, Sept. 21
1 p.m. – Lisa Law and the Gospel Extravaganza with special guests Mark Thomas and Melissa Wray
3 p.m. – Da Jam Band
