Annual event is Saturday, September 20, 10am until 6pm, at Cove Lake State Park

CARYVILLE, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF)- Get ready for a day full of music, art and fun surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Campbell county. Proudly sponsored by the Campbell Culture Coalition on September 20, 2025 at Cove Lake State Park, in Caryville, TN. There will be music of all genres and traditional Appalachian artisans from 10am to 6pm.

Exciting news! Announcing HEADLINER STAGE PERFORMERS!

Mexilachian Music! The LUA Family! Performing original Mexican/Appalachian, Eastern European, baroque songs and narrative storytelling! After traveling, performing, and recording in places as far afield as Lima, Peru; Veracruz, Mexico; Recife, Brazil; and Berkeley, CA, David Berzonsky and Estela Knott returned to Virginia to raise their children, where they write and perform music inspired by their cultural roots — Appalachian, Mexican, Jewish. You don’t want to miss their appearances at Louie Bluie!

The Armstrong Trio! Starring Louie Bluie’s own famous son, Ralphe, with his musical friends. Classically trained at Michigan’s Interlochen Arts Academy, Ralphe successfully landed a gig in the Mahavishnu Orchestra in 1974 at the tender age of 16, and went on to a spectacular career working with a number of jazz greats, including Aretha Franklin.

Ray Kamalay, a jazz guitarist and singer concentrating on historic American folk and jazz that earned a W. C. Handy award nomination and John Reynolds, a music whiz whose career was influenced by a number of traditional music masters including our own Howard Armstrong, whom he knew and performed with for decades, will accompany Ralphe. Their appearance at the festival is jazz history.

Our Friends!  Sparky & Rhonda Rucker! Performing credits include the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and the International Storytelling Festival as well as NPR’s Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and Morning Edition, the American Folk Blues Tour in Europe and the National Folk Festival at Wolf Trap. Rhonda’s proficiency on banjo, blues harmonica, piano, vocals, guitar, and bones includes old-time blues, slave songs, Appalachian music, spirituals, ballads, civil rights songs, and their own original compositions. Back for their 17th year on our stages.

Visit louiebluie.org and facebook.com/louiebluie as more traditional artists will be announced soon! 

Call for Performers and Vendors

Performers

Performers and their agents seeking gigs at the festival can visit louiebluie.org and fill out an online application.

In addition to standard information, the application also asks how the applicant’s performance fits our mission, which is described in the paragraph immediately above the form. A link to the applicant’s music and videos can be inserted, and a short bio which will be used in promotion/publicity if they are selected.

Arts & Crafts Village

Festival organizers are actively seeking artisans for the Arts & Crafts Village. Crafters whose work shows originality, craftsmanship, quality of design, and appropriateness to the Appalachian tradition are highly encouraged to apply. We’re looking for individual artists, school art clubs, or organizations dedicated to encouraging the arts, as well as certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups that may want a presence to deliver their mission to attendees.

In the past, some examples have included pottery, jewelry, homemade soaps and candles, marshmallow launchers, walking sticks, local authors, and fine art. Booths are available for $60 per 10 x 10 ft. space, limited to two spaces. Electricity is available at an additional cost of $15/booth, but limited due to the number of park outlets. The deadline to register is August 15. Register online using our Arts & Craft Village application.

Food vendors

The food vendor’s deadline to register is Sept. 1. In the past, we’ve had around 8,000 visitors, so we need lots of food vendors to keep them from going hungry! Mobile food trucks, church, and community groups are encouraged to apply. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and participation is subject to approval. This is to prevent too many vendors from offering the same items. Register online using our Food Vendor application.

Quilt Show

The Festival will also feature a judged quilt show, and judged middle school and high school-age students’ art will be displayed. Visit louiebluie.org to learn the competition guidelines for both. Youth artists do not need to be registered at a Campbell County School to participate!

Festival History

Inspired by the legendary Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong, this annual event aims to celebrate his immense contribution to the arts while nurturing the talents of the next generation of musicians and artists. With Campbell County’s deep roots in music, the Louie Bluie Festival serves as a testament to the enduring power of Armstrong’s influence and the importance of keeping these traditions alive.

Would you like to volunteer?

This festival would never happen without the help of our dedicated volunteers. We need over 100 volunteers and would love to count you among them! We need help setting up, picking up trash, helping vendors and performers know where to go and more. All volunteers receive a free T-shirt, free bottled water, and a full-day of music and fun at beautiful Cove Lake State Park. Sign-up to be a volunteer. 

Free Admission

Free admission and parking to attend the festival, however donations are encouraged to help the Campbell Culture Coalition support and provide engaging arts and music opportunities within our community. 

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this one-of-a-kind celebration of music and art in the heart of Appalachia. Join us on September 20, 2025, for a day filled with incredible performances, unique artworks, and memories that will linger way after the festival is over. 

We appreciate the Tennessee Arts Commission (support the TN Specialty License Plate Program!) and National Endowment for the Arts for their funding and support of the Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival.

Additional festival information is available at LouieBluie.org. For information about the Campbell Culture Coalition, visit campbellculturecoalition.org.