PossumStock, Clarksville’s underground music festival, continues to cultivate local musicians

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The shutdown of a local music hangout sparked local musician Cody Parson to establish an event to showcase area musicians.

“I started PossumStock in 2014,” Parson said. “Our independent music venue, called The Coup, was going out of business. When The Coup closed, I was really worried there wasn’t going to be more local focused and based things,” he said.

Parson said The Coup was important. “It was a place where a lot of local bands started playing their original music,” he said, noting what made The Coup so special was that people of all ages could go there, play, hone their craft, and network.

“I was kind of worried that was going to be the end of that scene,” he said.

Parson said The Coup closed in 2014, and just two months later, PossumStock was born. “It’s kind of like Woodstock,” he said. “I threw it out by my high school that first year, and all the country people were like, yeah!” he said. “We did it there for three years.”

COVID and weather trouble

Rain, snow, sleet or hail couldn’t prevent PossumStock from happening, but COVID did.

“I had a lot of people upset about that,” he said.

When it was time to start organizing PossumStock 2021, Parson said he had a lot of people asking if he was going to host the event.

The year after COVID, PossumStock was held again, but the weather made an appearance.

“We were setting up tarps over the stages and people were playing despite the rain,” Parson said. “The show must go on.”

This year’s plans

This year’s event features nearly 40 performers. “A lot of them are local musicians but we have some from other areas. This year we have a band coming in from as far away as New Jersey,” he said.

The festival begins Sept, 1 and ends Sept. 4 at Pope Farms in Ashland City. For the full schedule and details, go to the PossumStock tickets website.

Parson said presale ticket prices are $50 until Aug. 20. Tickets can be purchased at AndVinyl Records on Franklin Street and at Revel House on University Avenue. Tickets can be purchased online at bpt.me/event/5519464.

After Aug. 20, ticket prices will go up to $60 and will remain there up to the week of the festival. Ticket prices will be $60 at the gate. Day passes will be $30.

Vending passes will be $100 and will include 2 tickets and prime camping and setup slots closest to the stage. For more information contact Parson at 931-241-2887.