Lindsey Grace Whiddon
Todd Mayo, Producer
“There’s human time and geological time, but in human time, I fundamentally believe in the power of music,” says Todd Mayo, boisterous owner of The Caverns in Pelham, Tennessee, and founder/co-executive producer of PBS’ Bluegrass Underground. He might sound a bit like a philosopher mystic, but after a decade inviting fans into caves for uniquely world-class concert experiences, his business is about as down-to-earth as it gets. (The first season of shows at The Caverns runs through December 15th, wrapping up with a special Christmas performance by gospel-grass group The Isaacs; thecaverns.com)
Age: 46
Cave Man: Mayo started hosting concerts in caves after touring one on a family vacation, figuring the underground acoustics might sound cool. “Before I walked into that cave I had never booked a Bar Mitzvah,” he jokes. Now in its eighth season, PBS’ Bluegrass Underground has won multiple Emmy Awards, featuring acts like The Steeldrivers and Jason Isbell.
Gold Mine: Eventually, Mayo and his team’s vision outgrew the show’s original location. He purchased The Caverns—a bigger, more accessible cave near the base of Monteagle Mountain—and, after 18 months of excavation, gave Bluegrass Underground a permanent home in Spring 2018. Mayo calls the resulting space “sublime.”
“It was like we were digging for buried treasure and the treasure is an enchanting musical venue,” he says. “It's so Tennessee!”
More Than ‘Grass: When The Caverns aren’t playing host to Bluegrass Underground, there’s more to explore. The new cave’s first season of shows has included everyone from folk rocker Brandi Carlile to hip hop icon Wyclef Jean. And with stunning, all-natural visuals, plus Tennessee’s state amphibian on the prowl (the colorful Cave Salamander), fans get a bit of adventure.
“We say it’s like experiencing the great outdoors, indoors,” Mayo says.
Treasure Trove: There’s something magical about a cave concert, from being physically removed from the everyday world to the way sound reverberates in the air. Patrons and performers alike share an unforgettable experience, which Mayo says is one of the venue’s best qualities.
“I just feel like there are so many things that divide people in the world today,” he explains. “To play a part in people coming together through music? Boy, that’s a great feeling.”