CaveFest “23: Big Cave Love

Welcome spelunkers and lovers of all things rock. Rocky Road, Rocky Top, Rock n Roll, getting Kroco Stimpied, Rockabye and Yacht rock. CaveFest “23 returned to the Cavern in Pelham, Tennessee and brought with it heaps of bluegrass, folk, rock, Americana and everything in between. For three days of perfect camping weather audiences were treated a ridiculous lineup of some of the finest live music anywhere right alongside original art, delirious vittles and all the coolest vending. Take my money. Did someone say Sam Grisman Project and Big Daddy Love? Intimate touching in sensitive areas to be sure. Just sit back and let the slather surround you like cool honeydew moonshine. Welcome to CaveFest “23: Big Cave Love.

On October 6-8, 2023, The Caverns presented the second annual CaveFest, featuring a grand-slam, line-up of music over three days with camping, open underground jam sessions, cave tours, food trucks, local vendors and more. CaveFest brought in Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, The Infamous Stringdusters, Peter Rowan, The Travelin’ McCourys, Jim Lauderdale, Town Mountain, The Lil Smokies, Lindsay Lou, Sam Grisman Project: Plays Garcia/Grisman’s Shady Grove Album, Jon Stickley Trio, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Larry Keel Experience, The HillBenders: Play WhoGrass, Sicard Hollow, Big Richard, Fireside Collective, Airshow, Two Runner, Pert Near Sandstone, Pixie & The Partygrass Boys, Volunteer String Band, Off The Wagon, Three Tall Pines, Johnny Campbell Band, Big Daddy Love, Tree of Forgiveness – A Tribute to John Prine, Hudost, and Wyatt Ellis & Friends.

Lindsay Lou, the “Queen of CaveFest” returned as one of CaveFest artist-in-residence, who with a dedicated performance slot, she could be found sitting in with others all weekend creating memorable collaborations and magical CaveFest moments.

Decked out in his Nashville Predators “Fiddler” hockey jersey, Sam Bush was the last headliner on The Caverns Amphitheater stage. His “business as usual”set had everyone in the full get down. A recent addition into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, Sam Bush continues to crush audiences with his mando and fiddle stylings.

Sam Bush at Cave Fest 2023: photo by John Partipilo PhotographyIt’s well known in learned circles that Jenny Keel plays her bass at 528 Hz. “Why does this matter wrangler?”, you may ask. The “love frequency,” is a sound identified by Gregorian monks as part of a set of frequencies heralded for their healing properties. It is also used as a timeless tool by sirens to lure and enslave helpless men. Thank you Jenny Keel, you cannot enslave the willing.

It lurks under the risers. Watch out for stagehands smoking lids under the stage. You think Chris Hollywood is going to carry his own bongo? Sir. Sir. That’s gonna be a hard no. The drummer for Sam Grisman Project is always ready to lay it all the way down in the name of strong science. Look for them at Gem & Jam in February. Hook, hook. Dunk, dunk.

You think you know some wooks? Follow the troglodytes as they take over the festival circuit. #troglife. That’s right, the Fallout Shelter is bringing you a Hobo Kamp experience even more pathetic than representing yourself in divorce court. You already know.

Thanks to Louis Norton for covering CaveFest for the wook wranglers. Thanks to Jenny Lawrence of Danging Lemur Photography for the Big Daddy Love photograph. Brian Swenk is so photogenic.

Thanks for making the wook wranglers your number one source for all things festivaus. Stay with the fam as we hustle through Rome River Jam on our way to Suwannee Hulaween and the oroboros of eternal pleasure. After that, it’s Warren Haynes Presents: Christmas Jam  en route to Resonate and beyond. All roads converge on Ka’aoli and the convergence in Austin, Texas. Maybe the old gypsy woman was correct. This is happening. You’ve found your way to the bus.

Get in, sit down and hold on.