FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 4th
An American Revival Underground at the Caverns
An evening of music, storytelling, and connection in Grundy County, featuring appearances T Bone Burnett, Arrested Development, Abigail Washburn, Nicholas Ma and Yo-Yo Ma
Grundy County, Tennessee — American Revival, a national cultural movement rooted in the belief that arts, culture, and joy can help repair the civic fabric of the United States, comes to Tennessee on Tuesday, May 12, with American Revival: Underground in Grundy County for a dynamic evening at The Caverns, a live music venue inside a cave known worldwide for its natural acoustics.The event is part of a nationwide initiative designed to cultivate kindness, decency, and connection in America, one county at a time. Through world-class music, storytelling, and facilitated conversation, American Revival continues to spark millions of meaningful exchanges across the country, working to help repave the roads between an America divided.
American Revival: Underground in Grundy County brings together world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma; Grammy-winning producer and musician T Bone Burnett; Grammy-winning hip hop artist Speech Thomas of Arrested Development; acclaimed banjoist and singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn; and filmmaker and speaker Nicholas Ma, creator of American Revival. Together, they invite audiences into an experience that moves beyond performance toward shared reflection, creating space for listening, empathy, and renewed civic imagination.
“American Revival is about creating spaces where people can see, hear, and feel each other through a shared cultural experience,” said Nicholas Ma. “We know that the work of rebuilding trust and belonging in America will happen locally, county by county, and we know that the work requires joy.”
American Revival: Underground in Grundy County also represents the culmination of We See Hope, a county-wide effort launched by Millions of Conversations in partnership with the Littell-Partin Center. Proceeds from the Revival will benefit the Littell-Partin Community Center, supporting local programs and strengthening community connection.
About American RevivalCurated and organized by Ernest Lyford, American Revival brings together artists, thinkers, and leaders to strengthen communities through music, storytelling, and dialogue, building bridges across difference and celebrating shared humanity. In partnership with 3142 and Millions of Conversations, it extends the possibility created in performance into concrete action and change in communities.
About Millions of Conversations’ 3142 Program:
The 3142 Program was created to foster belonging through a solutions-focused approach that restores agency at the communal level. Millions of Conversations piloted the program in Grundy County, Tennessee, bringing together residents to learn, collaborate, and repair the erosion of trust that is consistently happening in America today. Named for the 3,142 counties in the United States, the program offers a scalable model that equips local leaders to rebuild trust, foster cooperation, nurture a pluralistic society, and strengthen democracy at the county level. Moving away from extractive tendencies, it restores the prominence of the local public square by convening diverse task forces with a variety of stakeholders that identify local priorities, co-create solutions, and cultivate resilience across communities.
Millions of Conversations (MoC), with a decade of field experience in peacebuilding
and message-based interventions, has refined this framework through pilot programs, rigorous
evaluation, and research collaborations. Today, 3142 is offered as a complete product package
for organizations, institutions, and foundations interested in adopting and operating the model.
About The Caverns
Nestled in Grundy County, Tennessee, The Caverns is a world-renowned music destination with a stunning subterranean venue and natural acoustics that make every performance immersive and unforgettable. Above ground, an outdoor amphitheater offers sweeping views of the Cumberland Plateau. Visitors can enjoy guided cave tours, on-site camping, yurt accommodations, and an on-site tavern, making The Caverns a unique destination for music, adventure, and connection.