NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee is partnering with the Levitt Family Foundation to bring free concerts to six communities statewide. Shelbyville will host four of these concerts in July, two in September and some in October.
Time of concerts and more information forthcoming.
Other communities selected during Tennessee’s first round of the program include Dyersburg, Lawrenceburg, Loudon, Maryville and McMinnville.
The 2026 concert series is the first of a multi-year partnership with the Levitt Family Foundation. Both the state and the foundation will be awarding matching grants of up to $40,000 per year over the next 3 years, 2026-2028. The funding will go toward supporting approximately 180 free outdoor concerts in small or mid-sized cities across Tennessee.
“This concert series is a powerful example of how collaboration can strengthen the foundation that supports Tennessee’s music and entertainment ecosystem,” said TEC Executive Director Bob Raines. “Music has always been at the heart of our state’s identity, and this partnership with Levitt builds on that legacy in a meaningful way. We’re excited to see the lasting impact this series will create across these six communities this year.”
The Levitt Family Foundation has provided funding to more than 80 communities across the U.S. through its Levitt Music Series grant program, which activates underused outdoor public spaces in cities and towns nationwide, creating community gathering destinations and ensuring access to the arts by offering free concert series with high-caliber artists across an array of music genres.
“The Levitt Family Foundation is thrilled to be collaborating with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to support free outdoor concerts across the state,” said Levitt Family Foundation President & CEO, Sharon Yazowski. “As these six Tennessee communities get ready to launch their inaugural concert series, we welcome them into the national network of Levitt communities across the country—which have helped create more vibrant, healthy and connected towns and cities where people come together of all ages and backgrounds through the power of free, live music.”
