Fans of live music will not soon forget the havoc Covid wrecked on concerts and festivals in 2020. But thankfully, that dismal time is behind us and live music is back! Artists creating, excited crowds and real human connection are all back in full swing at Harlinsdale Park in September for the 7th annual Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival. Performers, storytellers, food trucks, craft beer, family-friendly acts are all a part of the ambience of Franklin's favorite live music celebration. Mark your calendars for September 25 & 26 and #MakethePilgrimage. Here's a rundown of who you'll get to hear sing their hearts out. PilgrimageFestival.com
the performances
Maren Morris
Grammy winner Maren Morris is one of the leading voices in music today, armed with incredible vocal stylings and songwriting chops, sheer talent, honest lyrics and an undeniable presence. Her triple Platinum single “The Bones” dominated 2020, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 19 consecutive weeks—the longest #1 by a solo female musician ever and the first solo female multi-week #1 since 2012. Her 2019 album, GIRL shattered the record for the largest ever debut streaming week for a country album by a woman and was named Album of the Year at the 2019 CMA Awards, where Morris was the most nominated artist. GIRL arrived three years after Morris’ breakout, Gold-certified debut album HERO, for which she won a Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance. HERO features the much-lauded singles that launched Maren’s career into the stratosphere—the double Platinum “My Church,” Platinum “80s Mercedes” and “I Could Use A Love Song,” and Gold “Rich.”
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia, in early 1991 when vocalist/guitarist Dave Matthews decided to put some songs he had written on tape. Instead of simply recording himself with a guitar, he opted to bring in some instrumental help to give his musical ideas more depth. The band's unique sound slowly grew and had achieved national success by 1994 with their debut album, Under the Table and Dreaming and a slew of national TV appearances in early 1995. Throughout the last 25 years, the band has continually supported charitable and philanthropic events such as COVID-19 relief, social justice, voter registration and environmental advocacy.
Black Keys
Singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney released their tenth studio album, Delta Kream last May. The album’s genesis goes back to The Black Keys’ teenage years in Akron, Ohio but celebrates the blues of north Mississippi, a time Auerbach says was “one of the most important things to my development." The Grammy-winning duo have called Nashville home since 2011 and all of their experiences are embedded in everything The Black Keys have recorded and achieved including six acclaimed studio albums and the 2010 double-platinum breakthrough, Brother, plus nearly a dozen alternative-rock hits.
more performances
1. Amos Lee
In 2007, the singer/songwriter began working with the Musicians on Call program, playing music bedside for hospital patients. He went on to play at VA hospitals, for the Wounded Warriors organization, and for the Melodic Caring Project, singing via video for children who were quarantined, too ill to have friends or family visit in their rooms.“Everything about the connection of music hit me harder,” he says of these efforts, “and I thought, ‘How can I be helpful, and reach out in a more real way?’ Songs have become a bridge, a way for me to reach outside myself and into other people’s lives. My mission now is to connect with people, to still have fun, but to have my intention be more outwardly based, and from a place of giving and service.” A recent loss of his own, the passing of his grandmother, informs many of the songs on his seventh album, My New Moon. But he notes, the album is as much about other people’s stories as it is his own.
2. Cage The Elephant
Deeply inspired by punk music, brothers Matt and Brad Shultz began playing music in high-school with fellow students Jared Champion and Daniel Tichenor and rounded out the band by adding Nick Bockrath and Matthan Minster. Shortly after forming the band, they made the bold move to London to begin their career. Their self-titled debut album gained them international attention, catapulting them up the Billboard Alternative and Rock charts and achieving Platinum certification. Cage the Elephant has released five additional studio albums, including 2019's 'Social Cues,' on RCA Records.
3. Black Pumas
In just a couple of years’ time, songwriter Eric Burton and producer Adrian Quesada have turned their unplanned meeting into a Grammy-nominated act with songs that have racked up millions of streams and won overwhelming critical praise and multiple sold-out tours across North America and Europe. The deluxe edition of their self-titled debut album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammy Awards and has won acclaim from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR, The Fader, The Guardian, Billboard, Essence, and many more. Their anthemic single “Colors” was nominated for Record of the Year and Best American Roots Performance at the 2021 Grammys and hit #1 at AAA Radio. The band performed the song at President Biden’s official 2021 Inauguration and the NFL Draft.
4. Tanya Tucker
A defining voice of music and a modern-day legend, two-time 2020 GRAMMY® winner Tanya Tucker continues to inspire artists today. Born in Seminole, Texas,Tanya had her first country hit, the classic "Delta Dawn," at the age of 13. Since that auspicious beginning, she has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a stellar string of 56 Top 40 singles, ten of which reached the No. 1 spot on the Billboard country charts. Tanya is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs and three CMT awards. In 2020, Tanya received two GRAMMY® Awards for Best Country Album: While I'm Livin’ and Best Country Song: "Bring My Flowers Now." In the fall of 2020, Fantasy Records released Tanya Tucker-Live From The Troubadour on October 16, the one-year anniversary of Tanya’s historic, standing-room only set from which it originates. As someone who's been center stage for more than 50 years, Tanya is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the album directly to The Troubadour.
