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Ten-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award winner Becky Buller headlines the evening alongside local school children who have been studying old-time music in Grundy County schools and choral music in Monteagle, thanks to a partnership between the SCCF, The Caverns, and the Paul S. McConnell Fund.

“There is such a rich tradition of roots music in Middle Tennessee and all throughout Appalachia,” she said. “In supporting old-time music instruction particularly, the SCCF and their partners are connecting these students with their own heritage. We have to know where we come from to know where we’re headed and music builds bridges, bringing hope and healing like nothing else can. The band and I are very much looking forward to sharing the stage with these kids.”

Buller said she is excited to be able to play near Manchester.

“It’s rare for me to get to play so close to home, and the Caverns is such a Incredible place. It’s going to be such a fun night of music.”

“I’m very, very passionate about bluegrass and old-time music education as well as performing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to helping that continue to be possible up on the mountain.”

She notes that bluegrass was born in the Appalachian region and Grundy County has a large tradition in the genre.

“I’m excited to know the music is being passed down to the students in the school system,” she said.

Sanders said that the SCCF is the only organization that serves the South Cumberland Plateau area.

“We are really excited that Becky Buller and her fantastic band were willing to share their music to help advance our mission of fostering hope and prosperity in the Plateau community,” said Tom Sanders, executive director of the SCCF. “Our goal is to make this an annual event.”

Sanders said that his origination has a lot of conversations in the community to see what the needs are.

“Then we respond to those needs. We set priorities in health initiation and economic development … and a focus on affordable housing and transportation,” Sanders said.

Music and Music appreciation and education has also been important focus of the charity. Grundy County Elementary Schools have very limited resources for music class with only one teacher to teach about 900 students. The origination with the help from a Caverns’ grant funds a free afterschool program for youth. A new chorus program has been added at Monteagle Elementary through a partnership with AmeriCorps through a donation so far of $5,500.

A collection of students in the program will perform on the Caverns stage on the night of the show.

South Cumberland Community Fund (SCCF), serving a Tri-County area on the Cumberland Plateau, will hold its second annual Benefit Concert at The Caverns in Pelham, Tenn., on May 2. Doors open at 5 pm, with music starting at 6 pm. Local food trucks will be available for the audience. Tickets are available at the Fund’s website: southcumberlandcommunityfund.org.

The show kicks off Buller’s Jubilee Tour for the new album, featuring the title track Jubilee. The Dark Shadow Recording album releases in May goes deeper than Buller’s previous works, touching on her lifelong struggle with acute depression and anxiety that intensified during the pandemic.

Buller is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter from St. James, Minn., who has lived in Manchester, for the last 15 years.

She has written songs for Grammy award-winning albums by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, The Travelin’ McCourys, and The Infamous Stringdusters.

Her many accolades include the 2016 IBMA Fiddler and Female Vocalist. She is the first woman in the history of the awards to receive the Fiddler nod; she is also the first person ever to win in both vocal and instrumental categories. In 2023, Buller was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall Of Fame.

For complete tour dates and to connect with her on social media, visit her website: BeckyBuller.com.

South Cumberland Community Fund launched in 2012 has made over $1.5 million in grants in the highland portions of Franklin and Marion County as well the entirety of Grundy County.

In addition, SCCF has invested over $700,000 in community development work and helped leverage funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service for AmeriCorps and VISTA volunteers working across the Plateau as well as in Manchester.

For more information, visit SCCF online at: southcumberlandcommunityfund.org.