5 Local Music Acts
IF YOU’RE A FAN OF LIVE MUSIC OF ANY KIND, COOKEVILLE HAS GOT A MUSIC GROUP FOR YOU
No. 1 BRYAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Cookeville is the only nonmetropolitan area of Tennessee to have a full symphony orchestra - Tennessee Tech University’s Bryan Symphony Orchestra - which performs regularly in TTU’s Wattenbarger Auditorium and at the Dogwood Performance Pavilion.
No. 2 BROTHER RAINS
Based out of Cookeville, Brother Rains take the stage for what’s easily the 100th time in almost as many days, Brother Rains energeticly walk to the stage as they start off another set that’s impossibly tight and laid back at the same time. By the time their vocals kick in, it’s clear that this is no ordinary party band on the club circuit. This is Brother Rains, the band that is passion incarnate, has launched a thousand emotions and stirred up Southern soul for over 20 years. For the guys who always dreamed of a life on the road, Brother Rains' originals “One bullet”, "California" and “Cold Winters Day” were like pulling into glamorous, exciting towns along their never-ending tour.
No. 3 SMOKY NIGHTS
Originally from Wisconsin, this duo has been performing music together for over 6 years! Together, The Smoky Nights regularly play shows throughout Middle Tennessee - including Cookeville, Crossville, Livingston, Smithville, and Sparta.
No. 4 BALLINGER FAMILY BAND
The Ballinger Family Band mixes catchy lyrics and tight vocals with a bluegrass sound that ranges form slow ballads to up-tempo, bouncy tunes. Kris and Dale have performed across the county with well-known fiddlers and, as founding members of The Cluster Pluckers, recorded five albums. They perform with their son, Ethan, who has released several of his own albums. His work has been aired nationally on PBS stations.
No. 5 HEART AND SOUL
Heart & Soul consist of 3 members, Tom Sandlin (Lead Vocal,Lead Guitar), Lorie Judd (Lead Vocal, Bass Guitar),and Kenny Barefield (Lead Vocal, Rhythm Guitar). We have all lived in the Cookeville community for a long time, and we have all been involved with music in some capacity our entire life.
*Information courtesy of VISIT COOKEVILLE