MORGAN COUNTY, Tenn. — The Historic Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was once a place where people would be put behind bars. Now, bands will play bars instead.
The penitentiary announced that it will host several different bands throughout 2020 during the Live at Brushy concert series. It starts on May 23, when the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will play.
Then, Aaron Lewis will play on June 27 followed by Sawyer Brown with Fairview Union on July 18. After those performances, 'Bluegrass at Brushy' will start on Aug. 18, featuring Del McCoury, Sam Bush and Yonder Mountain String Band.
The concert series ends on Sept. 5 with Whiskey Myers performing with Larry Fleet.
Normally, the penitentiary is a tourist attraction and distillery. It was built in the 1890s before closing in 2009 after Morgan County leaders battled against consolidation efforts.
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More than a century's worth of its history can be explored online.