November 11, 2024 [Knoxville, Tennessee] — Dogwood Arts is thrilled to announce the music lineup for the 2025 Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival, curated by The Dirty Guv’nahs and returning to World’s Fair Park in Downtown Knoxville, TN on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The 4th annual event will feature Grammy-nominated headliner Charley Crockett, alongside the Dirty Guv’nahs, Willow Avalon, Devon Gilfillian, Southern Avenue, and Cruz Contreras & the Black Lillies.
Hailed as a “must-see live performer” by Rolling Stone, and a “force to be reckoned with” by CMT, Charley Crockett crafts his singular “Gulf & Western” sound — described as “very 21st century and very vintage” by NPR Music — by synthesizing country, blues, soul, Cajun, R&B and other pieces of American Roots music. The singer/guitarist just earned the nomination for ‘Best Americana Album’ at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for his 2024 release, $10 Cowboy.
According to grammy.com, “Crockett is part of a diverse and talented new generation of singer/songwriters who are steeped in country music's oldest stylings and traditions, but telling stories of a modern America struggling with its identity. Their songs feel both timeless and strikingly original — defiantly of the moment.”
Crockett will be joined by festival curators, The Dirty Guv’nahs, star-on-the-rise Willow Avalon, whose first full-length album drops this January, Nashville-based Devon Gilfillian, Southern Avenue, another Grammy-nominated act for "Best Contemporary Blues Album" hailing from Memphis, and local favorites Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies.
General Admission (Early Bird) tickets are $60, or attendees can purchase VIP (Early Bird) tickets for $155. The VIP Experience includes access to a premium viewing area, hangout space with private bars and restrooms, festival merchandise, and more. The Tennessee Whiskey Experience, an add-on festival experience that was introduced (and sold out) in 2024, will return for the 2025 event. The Whiskey Experience is a collaboration with the Tennessee Distillers Guild and invites the top distilleries from across the state of Tennessee to serve a wide variety of whiskey and other unique, handcrafted spirits in an exclusive space inside the festival. The Tennessee Whiskey Experience is open from 2-6PM and is a $65 add-on to any General Admission or VIP ticket purchase. Children 10 & under get free admission to the festival (with the exception of the VIP and Whiskey Experience areas). Tickets can be purchased online now at southernskiesfest.com/tickets.
New in 2025: The official ‘Southern Skies Pre-Party & Performance’ with OneKnox Soccer Club will take place on Friday, May 9th at the brand new Covenant Health Park in the Old City. This event is a $10 add-on to any General Admission or VIP ticket purchase and provides access to the One Knox SC game on Friday, May 9th (time TBD) with a special musical performance at the end of the match (artist announcement coming soon).
About Southern Skies Music & Whiskey Festival: Southern Skies is an annual festival that takes place in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Curated by hometown favorites, The Dirty Guv’nahs, and produced by Dogwood Arts, Southern Skies is an authentically East TN celebration of music and community — featuring a lineup of national, regional and local talent. For more information, visit www.southernskiesmusicfestival.com, and follow on Facebook, Twitter @southernskies_, and Instagram @southernskiesfest.
Dogwood Arts, presented by ORNL Federal Credit Union, is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to promote and celebrate our region’s art, culture, and natural beauty.