Picking on the River: Inside Chattanooga’s Bluegrass Community with Randy Steele
In Chattanooga, bluegrass isn’t just a sound—it’s a weekly ritual, a front-porch handshake, and a reason to pull up a chair. From casual “pickin’ circles” to family-friendly festivals, the Scenic City has quietly grown a scene that welcomes newcomers and challenges veterans to keep stretching. To kick off our new series spotlighting local roots music, we sat down with Chattanooga’s own Randy Steele—songwriter, flatpicker, and tireless champion of the craft—to talk about community, craft, and why this town keeps him inspired.
Photo Credit: Randy Steele
This week brings a thrilling new chapter for bluegrass fans: the International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) World of Bluegrass will call Chattanooga home for the next three years, after spending more than a decade in Raleigh, and with the IBMA festivities the Scenic City will feel like both a celebration of bluegrass and for some an invitation to experience bluegrass for the first time.
To capture the heartbeat of the scene at this pivotal moment, we recently sat down with one of its most beloved artists—local musician Randy Steele. A songwriter, flatpicker, and community-builder, Randy embodies the collaborative spirit that has long defined bluegrass in Chattanooga.
From neighborhood brewery jams to riverfront festivals, Chattanooga’s bluegrass culture thrives in the in-between moments: before doors open, after the encore, and in the living-room sessions where new songs find their wings. It’s a community built on generosity—of time, of tunes, of showing a beginner the G-run one more time.
That spirit is part of what drew—and keeps—Randy here. Known for his sturdy storytelling and a voice that wears in like denim, he’s as comfortable trading breaks at a jam as he is fronting a band onstage. More than a performer, he’s a bridge-builder: encouraging song swaps, inviting younger players up for a tune, and reminding everyone that bluegrass is a living conversation.
In our chat below, Randy reflects on how the Chattanooga scene nurtures new talent, what makes a jam feel good, and how songs move from notebook to stage. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just bluegrass-curious, his perspective offers a window into why this city’s sound feels both rooted and restless.
Growing Up With Music In His Blood
Randy’s musical journey began long before he ever picked up a banjo. He grew up in a deeply musical family, strumming a guitar by the time he was fourteen or fifteen. In those early days his tastes leaned more toward electric guitar, jam-band grooves, and jazz than traditional bluegrass.
But his grandfather quietly set the stage. A church minister with a love for gospel and bluegrass, his grandfather wasn’t a bluegrass picker himself, but he could play gospel songs all day long. He handed young Randy a vintage Martin guitar—the same instrument on which Randy first learned to play—and planted the seed.
The real spark came when his grandfather gave him a double album of the Bean Blossom live festival (founded by the godfather of bluegrass, Bill Monroe). “I just listened to it over and over,” Randy recalls. “It became my base for learning and loving the music.”
In his twenties, Randy’s interest reignited with the release of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”. Around the same time, he watched a friend—“not a great guitar player but surprisingly good on the banjo”—and thought the banjo might not be so hard. “Turns out,” Randy laughs, “my friend wasn’t actually that good. I just didn’t have a frame of reference.”
Still, Randy was hooked. He borrowed and eventually bought the banjo from his friend and began taking lessons. Soon he was waking up early to practice, much to his family’s chagrin. “Once I started, I couldn’t put it down,” he says.
Photo Credit: Randy Steele | Randy Steele plays at the Chattanooga Riverfront.
The Heartbeat of Chattanooga’s Bluegrass Scene
Today, Randy is a regular at the Wednesday night bluegrass jams, a tradition in Chattanooga since the 1970s. The gathering moves from house to house and typically draws 40–50 people, with about 15 musicians picking at a time.
The evening begins with a beginner-friendly circle, followed by an open jam where traveling musicians, intermediate players, and adventurous beginners all share tunes. It’s a living tradition that keeps bluegrass vibrant in the city.
Chattanooga’s bluegrass history runs deep. Randy points to Fletcher Bright, a legendary fiddler whose influence helped the city’s old-time and bluegrass scenes thrive. He also highlights Connor Velesco’s folk music school, which for a time cultivated the next generation of pickers.
“Honestly, there’s more bluegrass here than in most cities,” Randy says. “It’s a community that welcomes you in and hands you a seat in the circle.”
Welcoming the IBMA to the Scenic City
With IBMA choosing Chattanooga for the next three years, Randy believes the music is about to become even more accessible. “Bluegrass has already become more palatable since the announcement,” he explains, “and it will be even more after IBMA’s first-year event. I want that first year to be a banger—to set us up for year two and beyond.”
Randy hopes IBMA will be more than just a week-long festival. “I’d love to see IBMA really invest in the community and the schools,” he says. “Bluegrass in the Schools programs, helping fill gaps in arts education—that’s how you build awareness and inspire the next generation.”
He sees a bigger ripple effect too. “The creative economy will benefit. The visibility of bluegrass helps all musicians, not just those playing this genre. When the IBMA is in town, the ONE Chattanooga stage becomes a symbol—your area code matters more than your genre. We’re already seeing more opportunities for local artists, just like when folks were hired before the Billy Strings show.”
Photo Credit: IBMA World of Bluegrass | Randy Steele picks with mandolin legend Sam Bush at the first IBMA press conference announcing the event’s move to Chattanooga.
A Boost for Downtown and Local Business
Having recently retired from a career with the City of Chattanooga, Randy sees the event’s potential beyond the stage. “This combination of Chattanooga and IBMA will be personal and positive,” he says. “It’s going to bring locals back downtown and get them excited again. The energy will give local businesses a real push.”
An Invitation to Discover
For Randy, the festival is about discovery—both for seasoned fans and those who think bluegrass isn’t for them.
“This is a chance to see the top tier of the entire genre,” he says. “Open your mind and come discover. If you think you know what bluegrass is, it’s probably not what you expect. And the cool thing is, if one act isn’t your style, there’ll be another just a few yards away. There will be so many ‘I can’t believe that happened’ moments.”
He hopes that every visitor and local attendee leaves with a personal memory of Chattanooga itself. “There’s always that moment when it’s just a great day in a great setting. If people have that moment here, it’ll stick. That’s what I want them to remember about our city.”
As the IBMA settles into its new home, Randy Steele’s journey—from his grandfather’s gospel tunes to pre-dawn banjo practice—reflects the soul of Chattanooga’s bluegrass scene: rooted in tradition, welcoming to all, and ready for its biggest stage yet.
Photo Credit: River City Company | Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind play at Noontunes in Downtown Chattanooga, drawing the attention of visitors and locals alike.
Tess Rollins
Director of Programs & Events, River City Company