“It’s safe to say this is the lowest point of my career,” Jack White told 600 fans Friday night. “I’ve hit rock bottom.”

The rocker meant it literally: he was in a cave 333 feet under McMinnville. The venue – Cumberland Caverns’ Volcano Room – has been the home of the Bluegrass Underground concert series for the last nine years. On Friday, White ventured into the cave to host a showcase for his label, Third Man Records. The event, a collaboration between Third Man and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, was a celebration of the state’s deep musical roots.

Fiddler-singer-songwriter Lillie Mae and Detroit’s Craig Brown Band, both of whom released their full-length debut albums earlier this year, kicked up the cave dust with their high-energy performances.

However, it was Third Man’s newest signee, country singer Joshua Hedley, who stole the show with his smooth baritone, alligator green Nudie suit, and stone-cold country sound, which was at times reminiscent of the music Johnny Paycheck made for Little Darlin’ Records 50 years ago. In a nod to the venue, Hedley closed his set with a cover of Paycheck’s eerie classic “The Cave” that earned him a standing ovation.

Margo Price, the night’s headliner, delivered a ferocious performance that previewed her forthcoming album, “All American Made” (due out Oct. 20). The highly-anticipated LP is Price’s second for the label, and the follow-up to her Top 10 record “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter.”

If this is rock bottom, it sounds pretty great.



