After a well-attended first year, Covered Bridge Jams is back on the musical map, bringing live music to downtown Elizabethton every Saturday through the summer.
“We’re just trying to discover new things to welcome a broad variety of people into our parks and to see what Elizabethton has to offer,” said David Nanney, Elizabethton athletics and aquatics director. “We want to provide our citizens with good recreation and entertainment that’s good for everybody.”
The concert series will begin almost a month sooner than last year and features four more bands. But Nanney said these aren’t the only concerts provided by Elizabethton Parks and Recreation this summer.
“We will also have two bands for the 4th of July and for the Tweetsie Trail Celebration,” he said. “I think we’re gaining every year with quality and variety.”
He said many of the groups play a blend of genres like the Lauren Cole Band which offers a jazz-style Americana.
This year, the lineup offers two gospel nights, as compared with the one offered last year.
“We tried to add some bands and keep the good things that we had last year,” said Nanney.
Shows begin at 7 p.m. and are free. Concessions are available for purchase.
The schedule is as follows:
May 14 — Thursday Night Boys (Country, Americana)
May 21 — Bullseye Band (Country, Rock, Americana)
May 28 — Sacred Harmony (Gospel)
June 4 — Bakersfield (Country)
June 18 — Black Hat (Country, Americana)
June 25 — Hollow Ground (Bluegrass)
July 9 — 40 West (Country, Rock, Americana)
July 16 — Railroad Angels (Country)
July 23 — Downtown Country (Country)
July 30 — Lauren Cole Band (Jazz, Americana)
Aug. 6 — Carson Peters Band (Bluegrass)
Aug. 13 — Hunter First Baptist Praise Band (Gospel)
Aug. 20 — Catfish Frye Band (Blues)
Aug. 27 — Appalachian Trail Bluegrass (Bluegrass)