Chattanooga Times Free Press - ChattanoogaNow
27th Boxcar Pinion Bluegrass Festival takes place this weekend
One of the region’s most popular and respected bluegrass festivals tunes up today, May 4, for three days of pickin’ and fiddlin’ at Raccoon Mountain Campground.
The 27th annual Boxcar Pinion Memorial Bluegrass Festival boasts 23 bands this year in addition to innumerable jam sessions that take place around the campgrounds.
The festival is named in memory of Thomas “Boxcar” Pinion, who played bluegrass music with the band Tom and Newell and the Grasscutters. The event is run by his family. Since Pinion succumbed to cancer, proceeds from sales of t he program booklet are donated to the American Cancer Society, says Cindy Pinion, his daughter and show organizer.
“We are excited about Balsam Range being here this year,” says Pin- ion. “They have all kinds of accolades and are one of bluegrass’ most award- winning artists. They have 10 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards, six albums, have appeared in festivals coast- to- coast and performed at the Grand Ole Opry multiple times.”
Pinion says among the nearly two dozen acts are some that are returning after having played the festival in its early years.
“Gary Brewer a nd Kentucky Ramblers came when we f i rst started and they are back. Bryan Blalock still plays with the Crowe Brothers and the Kevin Prater Band hasn’t been here in a few years.”
Pinion says visitors may bring in their own picnics or buy from the variety of concessions cooked on-site. The latter includes pinto beans, cornbread, red beans and rice, barbecue, hamburgers, hot dogs and curly fries.
Additionally there are a dozen arts and crafts vendors exhibiting at the festival.
Festivalgoers are invit- ed to set up their camp chairs and listen to just one or all three days of bluegrass bands, with a new act taking the stage each hour.
“We have people who come for one day and