Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on 2026-09-16
Crowd by Earl Neikirk
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has officially wrapped its 25th year, leaving festival goers with a weekend filled with memorable performances and a renewed sense of the community that makes the festival a yearly family reunion for many. The musicians and shared experiences have shaped the festival over 25 years and continue to make it feel like home. St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Sierra Ferrell, and Old Crow Medicine Show were among the standout acts who brought their own sounds back to Bristol, and new voices were added to the same streets where country music history was made nearly 100 years ago.
“This festival is yours, forever,” said Festival Director, Richard Oakley, to the crowd of fans, volunteers, and team members before Sunday’s closing performance.
Friday: Festivities kicked off in the late afternoon with Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo opening State Street Stage with a special 25th anniversary jam. This year’s event marked Lauderdale’s 14th trip to the festival. Later that evening, fans packed Paramount Bristol for German music producer and songwriter Toby Gad and Bristol’s own cellist and composer Dave Eggar. The duo performed beautiful renditions of hit songs written by Gad, including: “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “My Immortal,” and “Viva La Vida.” As the sun started to go down, Los Lobos and St. Paul and The Broken Bones brought soulful rock to the Piedmont Avenue Stage and Johnny Mullenax closed out the night with an electric performance on the Country Mural stage.
Saturday: Day two saw performances from Josh Mitcham and Possum Creek Playboys before a quick rainshower passed through Bristol. Despite a brief rain delay for the outdoor stages, the party continued indoors at the Paramount Bristol with Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time. A festival staple, the popular re-imagining of the classic WCYB program served as the official 25th Anniversary Celebration of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion including musical guests Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, Trousdale, and The Band Loula. The weather cleared and the festival continued on with exciting sets from Acoustic Syndicate: “The Bristol Reunion”, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, Johnson City, Tenn.-based band Florencia & The Feeling and the legendary Del McCoury Band, to name a few. At the Cumberland Square Park stage, attendees gathered for the headlining performance of Sierra Ferrell, who first performed at 6th Street Stage in 2021, and returned to the festival this year as the top-billing festival artist. Bringing the night to a close, Clay Street Unit and Braxton Keith brought plenty of swagger and grit to the 6th Street and Piedmont Avenue Stages, drawing enthusiastic crowds who continued to sing and dance from the first note to the last.
Sunday: Day three shone brightly as musicians Virginia West, Logan & McKenna, and Erin Lunsford opened up the final day of Bristol Rhythm. The Bristol Sessions Super Raffle benefiting the Birthplace of Country Music Museum announced winners to more than $250,000 in cash and prizes. Denitia delivered her Texas-rooted blend of soul and country that drew in fans and brought an easygoing energy to the 6th Street Stage. Added to the lineup just before the festival began, River Shook absolutely rocked the Piedmont Avenue Stage, wowing dedicated and new fans. At the Cumberland Square Park stage, the space filled with those eager to hear The Band Loula while at 6th Street, Fust took the stage, performing their indie-rock blend of Americana with their born-and-raised-in-Bristol frontman, Aaron Dowdy. Richmond, Va. native, Maggie Antone had fans singing along to her infectious blend of country, soul, and Southern rock. Throughout Cumberland Square Park, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives took fans to space with their cosmic-country classics, suited up in baby blue, black, and rhinestones.
The night came to a close with Old Crow Medicine Show’s high energy set on State Street. The band honored Dolly Parton by bringing Hannah Dasher to the stage for a rendition of the Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton duet, “Just Someone I Used To Know.” Midway through the set, Old Crow paid tribute to Jimmie Rodgers, officially kicking off The Birthplace of Country Music’s year-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Tennessee and Virginia anthems “Rocky Top” and “Wagon Wheel” united both sides of State Street, reminding festival goers why they continue to congregate year after year, on the Bristol Tenn.-Va. state line.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will return September 10-12, 2027 to celebrate the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions also known as country music’s “big bang,” and once referred to as “the single most important event in the history of country music,” by Johnny Cash. Stay tuned for more information, exciting events, and announcements regarding next year’s festival and milestone celebration at bristolrhythm.com.
