Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on 2026-08-13
August 13, 2026 - Bristol, TN/VA - For two-and-a-half decades now, music fans have made their own special pilgrimages to the historic downtown of twin cities Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, for the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival. Celebrating roots music in the Birthplace of Country Music, the three-day festival draws the best Americana, bluegrass, country, and rock-and-roll performers back to where it all began, and this year marks a grand occasion for both the festival and its unique location.
In addition to the event’s 25th anniversary, this year’s Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will kick off a year-long party for the 100th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, a pivotal event in the history of country music, sharing the likes of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family with the world. The echoes of those now-famous recordings can be heard throughout the American music landscape to this day, across the globe, and right back to the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion main stage from September 11-13 with headliners like Sierra Ferrell, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Old Crow Medicine Show, the Del McCoury Band, and many, many more.
Today, the festival announced the release of its official mobile app as well as daily performance schedules. More info on both can be found below.
“We are so excited to be celebrating 25 years of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion this year,” says Festival Director Richard Oakley. “Whether you’re returning or coming to the festival for the first time, we look forward to having you join us for three days of great music and community as we celebrate this milestone and look towards the 100th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions next summer. We’ve got a lot of fun planned that you won’t want to miss.”
Over the weekend of festivities, the official 25th Anniversary Celebration of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will take place on Saturday, September 12, at the Paramount Stage with a special Farm and Fun Time performance and recording. Hosted by Kris Truelsen, the popular re-imagining of the classic WCYB program will include musical guests Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, Trousdale, The Band Loula, and Truelsen’s own Country Casserole.
Additional collaborative performances throughout the weekend include Friday’s festival kickoff Anniversary Jam with Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo at the State Street Stage. That evening, German music producer and songwriter Toby Gad and Bristol’s own cellist and composer Dave Eggar will take over the Paramount Bristol with The Hitmaker Sessions featuring many special guests. Also on Saturday evening, Big Daddy Love’s Mo-Grass will take the Country Mural Stage. For specific times and locations, please visit bristolrhythm.com.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion tickets, VIP & lodging packages, and shuttle passes are available today, and the festival’s brand-new mobile app—home to schedules, maps, artist information, and more—can be downloaded here.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Daily Lineups:
Friday, September 11:
St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, The Creekers, Madeline Edwards, Meels, Organ Fairchild, Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale & Donna The Buffalo, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Big Daddy Love, Jon Stickley Trio, Toby Gad & Dave Eggar, Moga Family Band, Laid Back Country Picker, Bristol Lightning, KG & The Bad Habits, Oscar Harris, Florencia & The Feeling, Lucille Klement, Kris Truelsen & Country Casserole, Adam Bolt, The Corklickers, Jamtown Jam Camp, Junction 4961, Momma Molasses, NESCC Jazz Ensemble, Phil Faconti & Dave Eggar
Saturday, September 12:
Sierra Ferrell, The Del McCoury Band, Braxton Keith, Mon Rovîa, Trousdale, Hannah Dasher, Kruse Brothers, Acoustic Syndicate: “The Bristol Reunion,” Clay Street Unit, Darrell Scott String Band feat. Rob Ickes, Franklin Jonas & The Byzantines, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, Larry Keel & Jon Stickley Duo, Mason Via, Big Daddy Love’s Mo-Grass with Florencia & The Feeling, Holy Roller, Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Oscar Harris, Gritty Flyright & The Music Family, Ed Snodderly, The Dimestore Cowboys, Freak Rangers, Ranford Almond, ETSU Bluegrass Band, Josh Mitcham, Reedy River String Band, Adrian Bundy & His Honky Tonk Hearts, Alpine Motel, Ashton Davison, Bailey George and the Hit Paraders, Chancellor Lawson, Duty Free, Hoot & Holler Storytellers, Lightnin’ Charlie, My New Favorites, Noah Denton, Possum Creek Playboys, Troublesome Hollow
Sunday, September 13:
Old Crow Medicine Show, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Maggie Antone, Fust, The Band Loula, Johnny Mullenax, Denitia, Sunny Sweeney, Larry Keel & Jon Stickley Duo, Big Daddy Love, The Wilson Springs Hotel, Erin Lunsford, Dallas Wayne, Leonard Blush & The Camelcals, ETSU Bluegrass Band, Anthony Childress, The Boys From Bristol, Logan & McKenna, Post Bop Revival, The Recovery Bristol Band, Roger Ramsey, Soul Sandwich, The Soulamanders, Virginia West
For daily schedules, download the festival app and keep an eye out for updates on bristolrhythm.com.
