NASHVILLE, Tennessee is partnering with the Levitt Family Foundation to bring free outdoor concerts to small and mid-sized cities across the state, starting with six communities this year including Shelbyville and McMinnville.
The Levitt AMP Music Series, a multi-year collaboration announced last year, will fund approximately 180 free concerts over three years (2026-2028). The state and the foundation are each committing up to $40,000 per year per community. The inaugural 2026 lineup features Dyersburg, Lawrenceburg, Loudon, Maryville, McMinnville, and Shelbyville, with up to 50 shows scheduled across Tennessee this year.
The Levitt Family Foundation has supported free concert series in more than 80 communities across America, activating public outdoor spaces and bringing people together across age and background. The organization believes live music strengthens community bonds and revitalizes gathering places. Tennessee Entertainment Commission Executive Director Bob Raines called the partnership a natural fit for a state whose identity is rooted in music. "This series shows how collaboration strengthens Tennessee's music and entertainment ecosystem," Raines said, according to the announcement.
For smaller Tennessee towns, the program offers something rare: high-quality, professional concerts at no cost to residents. Outdoor summer concert series have become proven anchors for downtown revitalization and community engagement in rural and small-city America. By removing the cost barrier, Levitt's model ensures that families across the economic spectrum can gather and enjoy live music together.
The full concert schedule is being posted on a rolling basis at tnentertainment.com/ent/levitt/. Communities interested in more information can contact their local grantees through the Levitt Foundation website. For Shelbyville and McMinnville residents, schedules and artist lineups should be available shortly through their municipal websites and social media.