MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Roots Rendezvous and Uncle Dave Macon Days are set to partner with Hop Springs for the 2025 festival, continuing a long-standing tradition of celebrating roots music in Middle Tennessee. Uncle Dave Macon Days, a festival dedicated to preserving and promoting American-made music, has been a staple in the region for 47 years. The organization has announced a renewed commitment to its mission through the Roots Rendezvous Festival, scheduled for September 19-21, 2025.

Festival organizers emphasize community engagement as a key focus for this year’s event. According to Matt Need, Director of Sales and Communications, the festival will highlight nonprofit organizations with a theme of “A Coming Home,” focusing on affordable and available housing. A "Community Service Fair" will also be incorporated, inviting local organizations to participate.

For over four decades, Uncle Dave Macon Days has worked to sustain and grow the appreciation of early music traditions, including those performed on front porches, in parlors, and at barn raisings in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This year’s festival will blend traditional and contemporary elements, featuring performances on two stages and a vendor fair showcasing local arts and artists, including “Boro International” and the “Boro Art Crawl.” The festival’s headline act will be the comedy-music ensemble The Cleverlys, set to perform on Saturday, September 20.

Hop Springs Manager Miranda Adams expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that the collaboration will enhance the festival experience while educating the public about old-time traditions in an engaging way. Adams noted that the event will take place just miles from the homeplace of legendary musician Dave Macon, further solidifying its connection to local history.

Gloria Christy, President of Uncle Dave Macon Days, highlighted the importance of preserving the roots music story and described the partnership with Hop Springs as a step toward achieving that goal. She emphasized that the festival offers an opportunity for attendees of all ages to experience the nostalgia of Middle Tennessee’s rural musical heritage.

Melissa Cross, Marketing and Development Director for the Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity, announced a collaboration between the festival and the organization’s Hammer Down for Habitat event. Cross expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to strengthen both the festival’s mission and community involvement.

The full festival schedule will be announced in the coming months.