ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies

ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies East Tennessee State University - The Home of Bluegrass, Old-Time & Roots Music in Higher Education

Founded in 1982, Bluegrass, Old-Time, & Roots Music Studies at East Tennessee State University is the oldest established program of its kind at any four-year institution. Uniquely situated in the heart of southern Appalachia, one of the birthplaces of country music, ETSU presents an unparalleled opportunity to study the music while immersing oneself in the region’s outstanding musical and cultural

experiences. Our program has thrived on the philosophy of preserving longstanding musical traditions rooted in Appalachian culture, while at the same time encouraging creativity and musical development. Student bands perform many varieties of music, both traditional and progressive, often using songs written by the students themselves. ETSU bands have performed in numerous countries around the world, including the Czech Republic, Japan, Scotland, England, Belgium, Mexico, and Germany. Groups have performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City, NPR’s Mountain Stage, and at festivals and theaters throughout the United States. If you are serious about studying traditional music, we welcome you to pursue your interests at the home of Bluegrass, Old-Time, & Roots Music in higher education—East Tennessee State University.

We're so excited to see these ETSU affiliated groups and projects advance to the 2026 International Bluegrass Music Asso...
06/17/2026

We're so excited to see these ETSU affiliated groups and projects advance to the 2026 International Bluegrass Music Association second ballot! If you are an IBMA Member and are placing votes by the June 26 deadline, please consider the following projects:

ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band
Gospel Recording of the Year: “The First Time I Heard About Heaven” (This is an especially meaningful project for ETSU, and we’d be grateful for your vote.)

Blue Highway
Gospel Recording of the Year: “Some Day”

The Burnett Sisters Band
Album of the Year: Easy Come, Easy Go
Instrumental Recording of the Year: “Julianne Johnson - Tie Your Dog, Sally Gal”
Music Video of the Year: “Sorrow, Grief, and Pain”

Greg Blake
Music Video of the Year: “Nora McNally”

Awesome to see Lydia Hamby’s research about the roles of female musicians in bluegrass highlighted in this most recent i...
06/05/2026

Awesome to see Lydia Hamby’s research about the roles of female musicians in bluegrass highlighted in this most recent issue of the ETSU Graduate School publication “Illuminaed Magazine.”

Congrats to Lydia — a program alumnus and faculty member — and thanks to Lee Bidgood who served as committee chair for Lydia’s thesis for her Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies. Well done!

A little mud never hurt no one… 🌧️ we’re here at DelFest until the end of the day! Stop by and say hey!And here’s your f...
05/24/2026

A little mud never hurt no one… 🌧️ we’re here at DelFest until the end of the day! Stop by and say hey!

And here’s your friendly daily reminder to register for ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp, ages 12-19! Registration closes in just a couple days— June 1! ⬇️

https://www.etsu.edu/cas/das/bluegrass/summer-camp.php

We’re out here, rain or shine! Stop by our booth today through Sunday here at !
05/22/2026

We’re out here, rain or shine! Stop by our booth today through Sunday here at !

Your friendly reminder to register your kids for ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp before the‼️JUNE 1st‼️deadline!➡️ (link in b...
05/19/2026

Your friendly reminder to register your kids for ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp before the‼️JUNE 1st‼️deadline!

➡️ (link in bio) https://www.etsu.edu/cas/das/bluegrass/summer-camp.php

ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music is excited to host our third annual Summer Camp for kids and teens – ages 12 to 19 – to be held on the campus of East Tennessee State University July 6-10, 2026. The five-day camp offers young musicians a glimpse into university life and a chance to experience the high-quality musical instruction that ETSU is known for. At the camp, you’ll be able to take instrumental and vocal lessons from industry leaders, receive band coaching, explore a professional recording laboratory, learn about bluegrass music history, and more. Special events throughout the week will include square dances, instructor and student concerts, jams, band coaching sessions, and campus tours.

More instructors TBA!

Your friendly reminder to register your kids for ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp before the‼️JUNE 1st‼️deadline!➡️ https://ww...
05/19/2026

Your friendly reminder to register your kids for ETSU Bluegrass Summer Camp before the‼️JUNE 1st‼️deadline!

➡️ https://www.etsu.edu/cas/das/bluegrass/summer-camp.php

ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music is excited to host our third annual Summer Camp for kids and teens – ages 12 to 19 – to be held on the campus of East Tennessee State University July 6-10, 2026. The five-day camp offers young musicians a glimpse into university life and a chance to experience the high-quality musical instruction that ETSU is known for. At the camp, you'll be able to take instrumental and vocal lessons from industry leaders, receive band coaching, explore a professional recording laboratory, learn about bluegrass music history, and more. Special events throughout the week will include square dances, instructor and student concerts, jams, band coaching sessions, and campus tours.

More instructors TBA!

Congratulations to the ETSU BLUE Class of 2026! 🎓
05/11/2026

Congratulations to the ETSU BLUE Class of 2026! 🎓

We have two more grads to spotlight! Congratulations, Westen Parker and Nolan Heath! And another big congrats to all twe...
05/09/2026

We have two more grads to spotlight! Congratulations, Westen Parker and Nolan Heath!

And another big congrats to all twelve students graduating tomorrow with a bachelors in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music!

Another fantastic week of ETSU BLUE Down Home Takeover, in the books! Here are some highlights from Monday night. Tag an...
05/06/2026

Another fantastic week of ETSU BLUE Down Home Takeover, in the books!

Here are some highlights from Monday night. Tag and share!

PC: Anissa Burnett

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37643

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(423) 439-7072

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