Backline picks and grins at Park

The inaugural Park Theater Bluegrass Series concluded Friday night with a performance by Backline, a bluegrass band with its roots in Spartanburg, S.C.

The Park’s initial offering of a season ticket for bluegrass shows previously featured Balsam Range and Becky Buller. Backline brought a five-piece band featuring skillful playing and tight harmonies on a healthy mix of original tunes and covers.

The emcee for the evening, as with the previous two bluegrass shows, was Main Street Media’s Justin Reed who treated the crowd to a trio of jokes before bringing on the band.

“We love celebrating all forms of music here at the Park, and it’s been great being able to put a spotlight on bluegrass this year,” Park Theater Assistant Manager Ashley Gillentine Wright said. “We have plans for more great bluegrass shows for the 2026-2027 series that will kick off later this year. We’d like to thanks our sponsors for the series — Visit McMinnville TN, Southern Blue Vacation Rentals, the Cafe and The Well at Tree City, Topz Frozen Yogurt & Metro Deli and Flat Foot Records.”