The award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will raise the curtain on its 24th annual festivities with an intimate, open-air Kickoff Show at Lumac Rooftop Bar atop The Bristol Hotel on Thursday, September 18, 2025. Nashville honky-tonk firebrand Emily Nenni and rising Richmond singer-songwriter Brady Heck will each deliver full sets beginning at 6:30 p.m., setting the tone for the three-day celebration of Appalachian sounds that follows in downtown Bristol.
Every ticket holder will receive a limited-edition show poster, with a select number of artist-signed copies reserved for the earliest purchasers. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., giving fans plenty of time to enjoy panoramic mountain views and craft cocktails before the music starts.
Tickets are on sale now through Tixr:
• Single ticket: $74 (all-in)
• Pair of tickets: $128 (all-in, $64 each) — save $10 per ticket when purchasing in multiples of two.
Emily Nenni has earned acclaim for her classic-country twang, soulful grit, and vivid storytelling, while Brady Heck’s clever, conversational songwriting has positioned him as one of Virginia’s brightest new voices. Together, they promise a roof-raising start to the weekend.
The Kickoff Show ushers in Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion’s full weekend, September 19-21, 2025, when more than 80 acts will fill 15 stages straddling the Tennessee–Virginia line on historic State Street. Produced by the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music, the festival honors the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions while spotlighting today’s most exciting roots, country, bluegrass, and Americana performers.
ABOUT BRISTOL RHYTHM & ROOTS REUNION
Founded in 2001, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a three-day, multi-stage music experience that transforms downtown Bristol into a vibrant tapestry of heritage and innovation. From legendary headliners to undiscovered gems, the festival celebrates the region’s musical past, present, and future, reinforcing Bristol’s designation as the “Birthplace of Country Music.”
