Bluegrass Series comes to close with Backline Friday

The inaugural Park Theater Bluegrass Series will come to a close Friday, May 22 with a performance by Backline at 7:30 p.m.

The three-show series included previous performances by Balsam Range and Becky Buller and is presented by the Park Theater in partnership with Visit McMinnville TN. Backline, a five-piece band which was formed in 2016 in Spartanburg, S.C., performs a mix of original material and traditional covers done in its own unique style. The band presents a modern bluegrass sound tinged with traditional flare.

Backline member Katelyn Ingardia joined The Justin Reed Show on WOW Country Monday morning to talk about the band's upcoming appearance in McMinnville.

"In February we hit our 10-year mark," Ingardia said. "We're having a good time out on the road sharing this music. We hope the folks who come out will enjoy it just as much as we do. We're super excited about Friday. It will be our first time at the Park Theater and in McMinnville, so we are stoked to be coming there, and hope folks will come out to be with us. We're looking forward to sharing music and some time with everyone."

The band has gone through a few changes in its decade of performing, and Ingardia is excited about the talent which will be accompanying her lead vocals on the Park stage Friday.

"When we started in 2016, all the original members were from Spartanburg, S.C.," Ingardia said. "We just all knew each other from years of playing in different local groups. Travis Tucker, one of the original members, called me up and was talking about wanting to start a band around original music. He knew I liked to write and he wanted it to be centered on a female vocal. We got to talking about it and found some members and from there we've evolved through some different lineups. The lineup you guys will see Friday night, that's the newest lineup we have with Chris Williamson who has been with me six years and plays bass. Alex Hampton plays dobro and resophonic guitar and sings lead vocals. David Heavner plays mandolin and sings lead vocals. Jacob Carroll plays guitar and banjo and sings harmony. We're really looking forward to sharing what we've been doing with this lineup this year."

Tickets start at $15 plus tax and are available at the Park Theater website, the Park box office at 115 W. Main St. during business hours and at the door beginning approximately one hour before showtime. There will be no opening act. The night is shaping up to be a high-energy celebration of bluegrass music with a band filled with members eager to share their considerable talents.

"It's just us," Ingardia said. "We're going to be trying to pack it full and give you as much music and fun as we can. We're really looking forward to it. I don't know if they knew what kind of crazy they were bringing to town, but we're looking forward to being there."

The feeling of anticipation is shared by Park Theater management.

"We are really excited about Backline coming," Park Theater Manager Joe Harvey said. "We heard about them from their performance at the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Conference in Chattanooga where they wowed the crowd. They are known for both their originals and their covers, and we can't wait to hear both."