WMOT hosts annual ‘Roots on the Rivers’ fundraising music festival June 1

Attendees listen and cheer for a performer at the annual “Roots on the Rivers” music festival held at Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville, Tenn. The annual fundraiser benefits Middle Tennessee State University's WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5. (Photo courtesy of John Partipilo/WMOT)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 is once again hosting its annual fundraising music festival “Roots on the Rivers” on June 1.

The single-day, family-friendly music festival will be held at Two Rivers Mansion, 3130 McGavock Pike in Nashville. Doors open at noon, and performances begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m.

General admission tickets are $45 each and can be purchased at https://tunehatch.com/shows/34750024. Children under 16 can attend for free. WMOT members will receive a private ticketing link to purchase discounted tickets for $22.50. Twilight passes start at 6 p.m. and are available for $25.

The event is rain or shine and includes live music, a beer garden, craft cocktails, food trucks and more. Funds raised help support WMOT’s programming, operations and community events.

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

“‘Roots on the Rivers’ is first and foremost a community celebration of roots music. We love getting the community and artists together for an intimate outdoor festival,” said WMOT Executive Director Val Hoeppner. “The festival is also a benefit for WMOT. As a nonprofit public radio station, WMOT holds many fundraising events each year. ‘Roots on the Rivers’ is by far the largest event WMOT produces each year.”

The festival’s music lineup includes Elizabeth Cook, Chatham County Line, Chuck Mead and the Stalwarts, Jaime Wyatt, Mary Gauthier with special guest Jaimee Harris, and Farmer Jason.

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

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)

“My favorite thing about our festival is the sense of community. I love that the roots music community of artists and fans gets together and celebrates each year. Being able to get fans close up to the music in a family-friendly environment is what ‘Roots on the Rivers’ is all about,” said Hoeppner.

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, 92.3FM in Rutherford County.

For more information, visit www.wmot.org.

— DeAnn Hays (deann.hays@mtsu.edu)