The Luttrell Music Festival—formerly referred to as the Luttrell Bluegrass Festival—is a city-sponsored annual event that also receives grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission that showcases local musicians in a fun-filled, festive family atmosphere.
Although the festival name has changed, there is still plenty of down-home bluegrass music to enjoy, plus this year there are country and gospel bands as well.
There will also be a variety of craft booths and food vendors. It is sure to be a great time for all, and admission is free.
When asked if the event—which was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic—was still on for Saturday, September 25, 2021, festival organizer Mayme Taylor offered hopeful optimism.
“So far so good!” was Taylor’s reply, despite the recent rise in COVID-19 cases.
This fantastic event got its start more than a decade ago when Taylor was new to the area. She visited several local churches and was “blown away” by the musical talent.
She approached the Luttrell City Council with the idea of a musical showcase. They liked the idea and empowered her to take on the responsibility of organizing an event. It began in 2009 with the intention of holding the event annually.
One of Taylor’s favorite aspects of the festival is the Kids Music Competition, which has been a key component of the entertainment every year.
Taylor knows music is beneficial to our youths’ development, adding, “Music keeps them on track and out of trouble.”
She is particularly grateful to David West, who not only coordinates the competition, but really takes our youth under his wing, supporting them and—when possible—helping to advance their musical pursuits.
She attributes much of these young people’s success to West helping them to understand how to traverse a musician’s path. After all, he knows a thing or two about it, as he was Cas Walker’s right-hand man (Cas Walker may be best known for “discovering” Country Music Megastar, Dolly Parton)!
Taylor is extremely proud of the kids and how many of them have continued their musical pursuits over the years and looks forward to many more.
Taylor is incredibly excited about the band lineup this year, as many of them participated in the Kids Music Competition of past festivals.
Among them are:
 Dustin Ford, whose father is his manager, released a single in January 2021 (as was announced with an MC1 record label press release. Follow Dustin on Facebook)
 Chris Muncey of Steel Blue (follow Chris on Facebook)
 Bobby Mink of Junction 5
Many food and craft vendors, such as Uncle Butch returning with his BBQ, have registered for this year’s festival. There is still room for more vendors, so if you’re interested, please be sure to email Taylor at maymejodys@aol.com for a registration form.
The 2021 festival schedule as of the date of this publication:
Location: 115 Park Road Luttrell, TN 37779
Date: September 25, 2021
Time: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time
Entertainment and Events:
3 p.m. – Opening Ceremony/Presentation of Colors by Union County High School ROTC
3:20 p.m. – The Beasons
4 p.m. – Chris Muncey and Steel Blue
4 :30 p.m. – Dustin Ford and the Northern Border Boys
5 p.m. – David West and the Cider Mountain Folks (like and follow them on Facebook)
6 p.m. – Kids Music Competition
6 :15 p.m. – Junction 5
7 p.m. – The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band - learn more about this 21st-century version of Hee-Haw’s jug band at TennesseeMafiaJugBand.com, which has been featured on Marty Stewart’s Nashville Show and on the Grand Old Opry!
Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to join us for this delightful rain-or-shine event.
Info: LuttrellBluegrassFestival.com / Luttrell Music Festival on Facebook