WMOT hosts 4th annual fundraising music fest ‘Roots on the Rivers’ May 31 at Two Rivers Mansion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Prep those dancing shoes and listening ears as Middle Tennessee State University’s WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 will once again host its annual music fest, “Roots on the Rivers,” on Saturday, May 31.

The single-day, family-friendly music fundraising festival will be held at Two Rivers Mansion, 3130 McGavock Pike in Nashville. Free parking is available on-site. Doors open at noon, and performances begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m.

General admission tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3YIs7b4. Children 16 and under can attend for free. WMOT members will receive a private ticketing link to purchase discounted tickets.

The rain-or-shine event includes live music, a beer garden, craft cocktails, food trucks and more. From noon to 2 p.m., a WMOT Family Picnic and meet-and-greet will be held.

Young attendees play stringed instruments in the Family String Band Circle area of the annual “Roots on the Rivers” music festival in Nashville, Tenn. The annual fundraiser benefitting Middle Tennessee State University's WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 allows attendees to participate in the music and try out various instruments. (Photo courtesy of John Partipilo/WMOT) — Young attendees play stringed instruments in the Family String Band Circle area of the annual “Roots on the Rivers” music festival in Nashville, Tenn. The annual fundraiser benefitting Middle Tennessee State University’s WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 allows attendees to participate in the music and try out various instruments. (Photo courtesy of John Partipilo/WMOT)

Funds raised during this yearly celebration of American roots music help support WMOT’s programming, operations and community events.

Val Hoeppner, director, Center for Innovation in Media — Val Hoeppner

“My favorite part of Roots on the Rivers is how our roots community comes together in a beautiful setting and shares the joy of music,” said WMOT Executive Director Val Hoeppner. “It’s a little like a family reunion, where there’s good friends, good food and drink, and we are all bound by music and artists we love.”

The festival’s music lineup includes Sam Bush, Aaron Lee Tashan, Liz Longley, Browyn Keith-Hynes and Noeline Hofmann. A special surprise guest will also take the stage.

Attendees can also enjoy the Family String Band Circle, and participate in the music and try various instruments.

The first Roots on the Rivers Music Festival was held in August 2022.

About WMOT Roots Radio

WMOT-FM 89.5 is MTSU’s flagship public radio station, founded in 1969. It is dedicated to an all-Americana music format. WMOT Roots Radio provides the Nashville region with a 100,000-watt radio station dedicated to the music most deeply connected to Music City’s legacy: classic country music, bluegrass, singer-songwriter, folk, soul, R&B and old-school rock ’n’ roll.

WMOT also continues to offer award-winning jazz programming on secondary channels — 89.5HD2 and 92.3FM in Rutherford County.

For more information, visit www.wmot.org.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)