UNCLE DAVE MACON DAYS PRESENTS ROOTS RENDEZVOUS

NATIONAL OLD-TIME BANJO CONTEST IS BACK!

What: Uncle Dave Macon Days Presents Roots Rendezvous

Why: CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND ARTS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE AT THE 47th ANNUAL FEST

When: September 11-13, 2026

Where: Hop Springs, 6790 John Bragg Highway, Murfreesboro, TN

For More Information Email: gsc714@gmail.com OR TEXT: 615-668-0475

Murfreesboro, TN — SAVE-THE-DATE!
Uncle Dave Macon Days and Roots Rendezvous are announcing the 2026 festival. For 48 years, this premier music and arts festival has celebrated roots music in Middle Tennessee and will continue its mission to preserve American-made music at the 2026 event.

The festival dates are September 11, 12, 13, 2026.

For nearly fifty years, Uncle Dave Macon Days organizers have diligently cultivated musical culture, preserving early music traditions once performed on front porches, parlors, and at barn raisings during the 19th and early 20th centuries. This family-friendly annual festival honors these heritage sounds while introducing contemporary elements featuring the best in roots music.  A hand-crafted vendor fair will showcase the finest in local arts and artists.

THE CONTEST returns in 2026 on Saturday, September 12 at 10am, featuring categories in National Championship in Old Time Banjo, Bluegrass Banjo, Traditional Fiddle, Beginner Musician, Old-time Singing, Dobro Guitar, Mandolin, Flat Pick Guitar, Shade Tree Pickin’ Band. The 2026 festival marks the return of the prestigious National Old-time Banjo Contest. Recognized by the US Congress in 1986, the festival honors Tennessee’s cultural heritage and Uncle Dave Macon’s claw hammer banjo style popularized in the 1920s.

According to many music historians, Uncle Dave Macon, with his claw-hammer style banjo playing, was the individual who made the transition from rural folk life music to modern county music. Paving the way for future artists on the Grand Ole Opry, Uncle Dave Macon became its first super star. For 2026, this early Tennessee art form will continue to be honored and recognized through younger artists in the National Old-time Banjo Contest.

Gloria Christy, President: “We are pleased to announce the revival of the contest in 2026. With the return of the National Old-time Banjo Contest, our festival acknowledges the significance of this distinctive Tennessee musical tradition, which continues to be celebrated by new generations of skilled musicians. Their efforts honor the enduring legacy of Dave Macon and his influence on American roots music, all within proximity to Uncle Dave’s original homeplace in the Kitrell Community. This event will further establish Middle Tennessee as a premier destination for music enthusiasts.”

Proceeds from the festival will continue the mission to preserve American-made music and help fund roots music education in Middle Tennessee through programs at schools and community groups and events.