The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee has unveiled Honky Tonk: Portraits of Country Music, 1972-1981, its latest special exhibit on display through March 28, 2021.
"Henry Horenstein's images capture performers like Dolly Parton, Doc Watson, Loretta Lynn, and Del McCoury, along with a host of iconic country and bluegrass stars throughout their careers," said Dr. Rene Rodgers, the museum's Head Curator. "With this exhibit, he explores the concept of honky tonk through the artists who made the music, the fans who followed them, and the venues that brought them to the stage."
Honky Tonk is a collection of photographs taken by renowned photographer, filmmaker, teacher, and author Henry Horenstein, who once shot album covers for bluegrass label Rounder Records. Horenstein kept his camera handy in his off-time, capturing images from the honky tonk scene of the 1970s at locations ranging from family music parks and festivals to Nashivlle's Tootsies Orchid Lounge and the Grand Ole Opry. Horenstein's lively portraits of the honky tonk community preserve the scene where musicians and fans, cowboys and townies all converged to step out, strum, and strut their stuff.
Horenstein's work is collected and exhibited internationally, and he has published over 30 books including several monographs of his own work such as Histories, Show, Honky Tonk, Animalia, Humans, Racing Days, Close Relations, and others. He also authored Black & White Photography, Digital Photography, and Beyond Basic Photography, used by hundreds of thousands of learning institutions as textbooks. His Shoot What You Love serves as both a memoir and personal history of photography over the past 50 years.
In recent years Horenstein has been making films: Preacher, Murray, Spoke, Partners, and Blitto Underground, which will premiere in 2021. He is a professor of photography at Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Boston.
A supplementary display related to honky tonk music, including A Selection of Hard Rock's Country Music Memorabilia and several objects sourced from local collectors and other museums, will be included with the exhibit. Other programming related to the Honky Tonk special exhibit will be introduced at a later date.
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has been in the thick of planning its 2021 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival ever since the nonprofit announced the cancellation of its 20th anniversary event this year due to the global COVID-19 health crisis. Organizers say they are optimistic that new vaccines, now in development, will help the music, events, and tourism industries rebound after a long nine-month pause.
"We are hopeful that progress is being made and that by September of next year we will be past this very dark time," said BCM Executive Director Leah Ross, who recently took part in local trials for the vaccine. "For now, it is not business as usual for BCM. We will continue to take all necessary precautions in order to protect the health and safety of the public and our staff so we can stay strong as an organization and continue to move forward. Musicians want to get back to work, and we need to be here for them when they are ready to do so."
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is scheduled for September 10-12, 2021. Discounted weekend passes to the festival will go on sale Black Friday, November 27 at the lowest price they'll be all year - $90 (plus Bristol, Virginia admission tax and ticketing agent fees). BCM is offering an eight-month payment plan that will bring the cost of a weekend wristband to under $10 per month.
"We know how much this pandemic has hurt our fans and our community," added Ross. "We have evaluated ways to cut costs while making tickets as affordable as possible for anyone who wants to come to our festival. We will also have plenty of volunteer opportunities available in exchange for tickets."
Call outs to volunteers for the 2021 festival will be opened up in the summer of next year.
Many of the artists previously booked to perform in 2020 are back on the roster for 2021, including Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Tanya Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, Yola, The SteelDrivers, Rhonda Vincent, Hayes Carll, Jim Lauderdale, and regional sensation turned internationally touring artist and Grammy-nominee Amythyst Kiah.
Ross added that the organization has a few "heroes" to thank for keeping them going this year: "So many people chose to be part of our 2020 Festival Heroes campaign, and they are an important part to helping us through this. We owe them a tremendous about of gratitude for their generosity."
This year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion ticket holders were given the opportunity to take part in the 2020 Festival Heroes campaign, allowing 2020 ticket holders to donate their tickets back to the festival or make donations of $75 or more to the Festival Recovery Fund in return for a number of incentives, which included permanent recognition in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum (BCM is the parent nonprofit of the museum, Bristol Rhythm, and WBCM Radio Bristol, which broadcasts from the museum).
Bristol Rhythm Festival Heroes will also receive 10% off tickets to the festival in 2021. Heroes will receive an email with a special code to take advangage of the discounts. In addition, 2020 ticket holders who chose to roll their tickets over to 2021 will receive new wristbands in the mail before Christmas.
Tickets to the the 20th anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will be sold at The Museum Store inside the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and online at BristolRhythm.com.
"Christmas is a season usually packed with live concerts and events where people can gather to celebrate with friends and family," said Discover Bristol Marketing Director Christopher Perrin. "The pandemic has forced us to consider new ways to celebrate this year. This virtual holiday concert offers music lovers a fun and safe alternative while also promoting our need to protect our neighbors from the threat of COVID-19."
Spread Love, Not Covid Virtual Holiday Concert with Folk Soul Revival will stream live on Discover Bristol's Facebook page from the Performance Theater inside the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, with no live audience.
"Good music is good medicine for the soul," said Leah Ross, Executive Director of BCM. "We are excited to present this concert with Discover Bristol and we hope everyone will take part in the livestream and join in the comments online. We love seeing where people are watching from!"
A modern band rooted in old-school southern sounds, Folk Soul Revival was formed in Southwest Virginia in 2008. The quintet has spent a decade growing a wide audience both here at home - where they've become a regular presence at local institutions like Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, The Carter Family Fold, and Floydfest - and on the road, sharing shows with the late Dr. Ralph Stanley, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jason Isbell, Eric Church, and others. Logging roughly 100 performances a year, the road home always leads back to Bristol, the group's birthplace, home, and muse. With songs about blue-collar jobs, long workweeks, messy breakups, and richly-deserved weekends, Folk Soul Revival sources its material from everyday lives of rural Americans. The music is biographical, and while the stories may be specific to Folk Soul Revival, they'll sound familiar to anyone who hails from the country's forgotten pockets.
For more information about Spread Love, Not Covid Virtual Holiday Concert with Folk Soul Revival, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Louise Massey. Cousin Emmy. Molly O'Day. These names may not be familiar to you, but they helped pave the way for today's ladies of country music. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates these often overlooked pioneers of the country music genre, and many others, in its next Virtual Speaker Series entitled "Before Coal Miner's Daughters and Many-Colored Coats: Pioneering Women in Country Music."
Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. EST guest speaker Bailey George, who has been collecting and researching country music since he was 11 years old (he's now 23), will lead the fascinating discussion on the impact of these pioneering female artists, musicians, writers, and performers. Bailey is himself a local musician and host of WBCM Radio Bristol's Honky Tonk Hit Parade.
"Country music has always been filled with fantastically talented female artists and an especially prolific period was the Radio Barn Dance era from the mid-1920s to the late 1940s," said Bailey. "For years the stories of these pioneers have been obscured by the Nashville-centric country music industry. It's time we shed some light on these trailblazing musicians!"
Traditionally the role and widespread recognition of women in country music has been relegated to a handful of superstars who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. But female country artists have been making their mark since the beginnings of country music recording. The impact of these early artists has been somewhat overshadowed by flashier, pop-oriented female entertainers in recent years, but without these trailblazing recordings, the country music industry as we know it would not exist.
Bailey George's Honky Tonk Hit Parade explores country music from the 1940s and 1950s, and airs each Wednesday 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST on Radio Bristol at 100.1 FM in the Bristol area, through the free Radio Bristol mobile app and at ListenRadioBristol.org. Archived episodes of the program are also found at that web address.
The March Virtual Speaker Series, on Tuesday, March 2, will feature Alona Norwood and William Isom discussing the work of Black in Appalachia and the importance of amplifying Black narratives and histories.
The Virtual Speaker Series is free and open to the pubic, but you must pre-register to join the Zoom program. To do so, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced its full roster of talent slated to appear at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion this September, including Philadelphia indie-rock stalwart Dr. Dog, who will join Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Tanya Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, Yola, The SteelDrivers, Rhonda Vincent, and Hayes Carll as headlining acts for the 20th anniversary event. The Steel Woods, Son Little, the Lonesome River Band, Ian Noe, and Charley Crockett are but a few of the acts announced today.
BCM was forced to cancel the festival in 2020 due to the pandemic, but are hopeful the event will happen as planned in Historic Downtown Bristol this year.
"We worked hard to keep our lineup as consistent as we could with the lineup we had hoped to have at last year's cancelled event, but the pandemic forced us to make some difficult decisions," said Leah Ross, BCM Executive Director. BCM is the parent nonprofit organization of Bristol Rhythm, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Radio Bristol.
The Festival has approximately 100 bands on the roster for this year's three-day Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, an event which draws more than 40,000 people to Historic Downtown Bristol each year. An independent study of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in 2015 revealed that the festival pumps more than $16 million into the region's economy.
"The music and tourism industries have been hit hard by COVID-19, and our Downtown businesses are struggling to survive," added Ross. "We hope our festival provides a boost to Bristol's economy to help get us back on track."
BCM has also extended the deadline for food and craft vendors to turn in applications if they want to be considered for this year's Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Vendors now have until April 30 to fill out the online form at BristolRhythm.com. Vendors who were accepted for last year's cancelled event will need to re-apply this year.
Scheduled for September 10-12, 2021 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a celebration of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, the music that brought country music, The Carter Family, and Jimmie Rodgers to the mainstream and created what scholars now refer to as the "big bang" of country music.
"We are ready to welcome our friends and family back to Bristol. We are ready for live music to make a comeback on State Street!"
Weekend passes to the 20th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival are on sale now for $100 plus tax and fees, with a simple payment plan that gives guests the option of purchasing in monthly installments. For more information visit BristolRhythm.com
The Road to Bristol Rhythm Concert Series, sponsored by Virginia is for Lovers, will offer our community and visitors a taste of what they've been missing during the pandemic, with elements of the September festival's best features - great live music by premier talent set in a glorious location in Historic Downtown Bristol.
"Bristol is the birthplace of country music, but one important element has been missing - live music in the streets of Downtown," said BCM Executive Director Leah Ross. "We've partnered with Virginia is for Lovers and The Sessions Hotel to bring it back this summer!"
The Road to Bristol Rhythm lineup includes performances by Morgan Wade, Jim Lauderdale, and Amythyst Kiah, all scheduled to appear at the festival in September. Dates are as follows:
Saturday, June 19: Morgan Wade
Saturday, July 17: Jim Lauderdale
Saturday, August 7: Amythyst Kiah
Each concert will take place on the grassy lawn outside The Sessions Hotel on State Street in Historic Downtown Bristol starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Morgan Wade is among our region's ascending singer-songwriters, one who is fast emerging on a national level. The Floyd, Virginia native's latest release Reckless is a country-rock truth-teller, bleeding with longing, intimacy and achingly conveyed in Wade's evocative vocals. The recording is receiving rave reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, among others.
Nearly as anticipated as its annual lineup announcement, the schedule release for the 20th anniversary celebration of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion has been announced - along with the release of single-day tickets to the award-winning music festival. Presented by the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), also the parent nonprofit of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and WBCM Radio Bristol, Bristol Rhythm will be held this September 10-12 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia after COVID-19 forced the organization to take a gap year in 2020.
"Everyone at BCM is thrilled to be in the final stages of planning for what promises to be a memorable Reunion!" said BCM Executive Director Leah Ross at a press conference held at the museum. "Very soon, we will be dancing together again on State Street to some great live music - and for that, we are truly grateful."
Bristol Rhythm is a celebration of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, an event in music history that has become known as the "big bang" of country music. The Sessions included the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, and brought country music to the mainstream. The Bristol Sessions continue to make a lasting impact on the music of today, and Bristol is designated by Congress as the birthplace of country music.
In October 2001, the first Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion was held on State Street (where Tennessee and Virginia meet) with a few thousand people in attendance. The festival has grown to receive more than 45,000 visitors from all over the world. Today, as Bristol Rhythm celebrates 20 years, downtown Bristol is a vibrant and revitalized music destination that features beautiful boutique hotels, breweries, restaurants, galleries, shops, and high-end loft spaces. The festival's growth and the opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum have played a major role in the development of this historic downtown..
"Since we've reclaimed and embraced our rich music history and culture, we have grown and thrived," Ross reflects. "BCM and the festival are proud to have played a role in the revitalization of our great cities, and it's part of our mission to continue to be an economic driver for our community."
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2021 boasts amazing talent for it's 20th anniversary festival: Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Tanya Tucker, Blackberry Smoke, Dr. Dog, Yola, The SteelDrivers, Rhonda Vincent, and Hayes Carll lead the stellar lineup of approximately 100 acts performing this September. Other notable performances by The Steel Woods, Son Little, Lonesome River Band, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Amythyst Kiah, Ian Noe, Town Mountain, Katie Pruitt, Jim Lauderdale, Illiterate Light, and Morgan Wade will also be part of the milestone event.
In addition to the artists' schedule, BCM announced a special kick-off concert by Cruz Contreras & Friends to be held on Thursday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the museum's Performance Theater. Tickets to the concert are sold separately.
Bristol Rhythm hits the ground running with Friday night performances by Tanya Tucker, Yola, The SteelDrivers, and Hayes Carll. Amythyst Kiah and 49 Winchester are also on deck. Radio Bristol's Farm and Fun Time live variety show, hosted by Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles, will return to the stage at the historic Paramount with special guests Madison Cunningham, Sierra Ferrell, and Nora Brown. Music will begin Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Single-day tickets for Friday are $50 plus tax/fees.
Per usual, Saturday at Bristol Rhythm is jam-packed with artists starting at noon and playing into the midnight hour. Blackberry Smoke, Dr. Dog, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Town Mountain, The Steel Woods, Ian Noe, and Illiterate Light are all slated to perform on that day, interspersed with American Aquarium, The New Respects, Folk Soul Revival, Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats, and Annabelle's Curse, among many others. A special tribute to John Prine is also planned for that evening on the Near Moore Stage, featuring members of Sol Driven Train, Big Daddy Love, and Yarn. Single-day tickets for Saturday are $70 plus tax/fees.
The Bristol Rhythm weekend ends on a high note Sunday evening with festival headliner Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit closing out the 20th anniversary event. Other Sunday performances of note include Rhonda Vincent, Charley Crockett, Son Little, Morgan Wade, Early James, and Scythian. Single-day tickets for Sunday are $60 plus tax/fees.
As the band A Thousand Horses played their final note on the State Street Stage, closing out Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion's 20th anniversary celebration, festival organizers at the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) were already hinting to the media that next year's event would honor another big milestone, the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions - the event known internationally as the "big bang of country music."
"When we first started Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, we had high hopes that we'd still be around in 20 years and here we are," said BCM Executive Director Leah Ross. "And though our festival honors our history every year, we plan for next year to be even more special."
Attendance numbers for the event have yet to come in for this year's event, but Ross was pleased with festival turnout.
"It was well-attended and so many fans came up to me and expressed how much they loved the music they saw. We want to thank our visitors, our artists, our volunteers and sponsors, and both cities of Bristol for helping make our 20th anniversary a success."
Held annually on State Street, the site of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and where Tennessee and Virginia meet, Bristol Rhythm salutes the roots and the far-reaching branches of those legendary recordings with an eclectic lineup of artists whose music not only touches on the twin cities' historic past, but also transcends the boundaries of tradition. Known for its cross-genre grouping of artists and for fostering the talents of under-the-radar acts, this year's festival was a cornucopia of Southern and roots rock, bluegrass, classic country, indie-rock, and even a little funk.
A sample of Bristol Rhythm's Friday schedule exemplifies the diverse nature of the festival, as the event's Country Music Mural stage opened with a rousing edition of WBCM Radio Bristol's Farm and Fun Time show, hosted by station producer Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles, and featuring special guests Sierra Ferrell, Dori Freeman and Nora Brown. The monthly program, which broadcasts monthly from the Performance Theater inside the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, is a refresh of the classic WCYB radio program of the 1940s and 1950s that helped elevate the careers of bluegrass artists such as The Stanley Brothers and Jim & Jesse McReynolds.
Later that evening hit-maker John Anderson fed the appetites of country fans with an intimate set on the State Street Stage as funkmaster Cory Wong (known for his work with Vulfpeck, The Fearless Flyers, and others) took crowds at Cumberland Square Park on an experimental journey of tight funk grooves, soaring jazz horns, and Wong's intricate guitar licks.
The SteelDrivers delivered another solid Bristol Rhythm set to a sea of die-hard fans. Elsewhere Grammy nominee Madison Cunningham captivated audiences with her mind-blowing folk-jazz-rock fusion, while Hayes Carll delivered his Texas brand of country-folk with unparalleled wit and sardonic humor.
Bristol Rhythm remains loyal to its vast local music community by showcasing their talents each year. Standouts include Grammy nominee Amythyst Kiah and the band 49 Winchester - both acts are local treasures who are fast gaining momentum in the national spotlight. Each act was a must-see at this year's Reunion and both delivered multiple solid performances during festival weekend.
There was much to enjoy on Saturday at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a full-day marathon of music on 13 stages, spread out along State Street and the surrounding Downtown area.
Festival headliner Blackberry Smoke enthralled fans from the very first note, then worked them into a ruckus later in the set as front man Charlie Starr took to the mic and declared, "This is a historical place in the United States of America," as he pointed to the place where the 1927 Bristol Sessions monument stands just a few feet from the stage. "I've got a surprise coming for you."
At that moment, the band ripped into their single "You Hear Georgia." Afterward Starr took to his acoustic guitar for a verse of of Jimmie Rodgers' "Blue Yodel (T for Texas)." It's moments like this that make festival goers and organizers alike swell with pride, knowing that artists who perform in Bristol not only know its history, but also hold the same reverence for this sacred place.
Dr. Dog, now on the band's farewell tour, performed before an enamored Cumberland Square Park crowd as local favorites Folk Soul Revival gave a bittersweet final performance on the Piedmont Stage to thousands of adoring fans that sang along to practically every song.
The Steel Woods, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Rob & Trey Hensley, John R. Miller, Jim Lauderdale, American Aquarium, and The New Respects were other big festival highlights, each delivering stellar performances to enthusiastic crowds.
Festival mainstays include The Possum Creek Playboys, an act compiled of dozens of local pickers from a number of bands. The group gathered in a parking lot near Moore Street for a big bluegrass jam, something they do every year. Other exceptional locals at the festival include Ed Snodderly (owner of music mecca The Down Home), Beth Snapp, and Momma Molasses - each exemplifies the exceedingly high level of artistry that saturates the Bristol music scene.
Virtuosic cellist Dave Eggar, who recently moved to Bristol from Brooklyn, New York several months ago and is a frequent collaborator with musicians in the Bristol community, dazzled audiences from the Paramount stage with a multifarious ensemble of artists including former American Idol contestant Crystal Bowersox, tap dancer Parker Hall, Latin jazz bassist Ariel Dela Portilla, and Cuban-American vocalist Nicolle Guerra, among others.
Sunday's lineup included bluegrass royalty Rhonda Vincent, throwback country songster Charley Crockett, and roots-rocker Early James. Other notable performances by Woody Woodworth & The Piners, Seth Walker Band, Carly Burruss, Sally & George, and R&B artist Son Little kept audiences busy dancing from stage to stage.
Audience participation was in full force at Cumberland Square Park for Scythian, per usual - the band is a regular on the festival lineup and a fan favorite. Another is Virginia Ground - a genre-bending, preeminent local act whose sound exemplifies the evolution of Appalachian music into what could best be described as "that Bristol sound."
Bristol Rhythm ended on a high note with Nashville country-rock sensation A Thousand Horses closing out the festival in high-energy style on the State Street Stage, which is deliberately positioned to highlight the 100+ year old Bristol sign that carries the slogan "Bristol - A Good Place to Live."
The 3rd annual Bristol Sessions Super Raffle drawing was also held on Sunday during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion with WBCM Radio Bristol host Kris Truelsen presiding. The event is a fundraiser for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and over $250,000 in cash and big prizes are given away. All 5,000 raffle tickets sold out prior to the festival, and a few lucky winners walked away with prizes ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, $5,000 towards a dream vacation to anywhere in the world, and a 2021 GMC Canyon truck. For a list of prizes and prize winners, visit BristolSessionsSuperRaffle.org.
The 21st annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is scheduled for September 9-11, 2022. For more information visit BristolRhythm.com.
Generous people like you allow our three branches - the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol - to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
You have helped make it possible to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and for that we are truly grateful.
While 2020 was a year of tremendous challenges,2021 has been a year of exceptional perseverance. This past year, the Birthplace of Country Music has made remarkable strides while learning to do more with less, but there is still more work to be done.
Would you please consider continuing to support these efforts by giving to the Birthplace of Country Music this holiday season?
Rosanne Cash and JJ Grey & Mofro are two of the top headliners for the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, Sept. 9-11, 2022, in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia. The announcement of Grey and Cash are part of the first round of artists announced today by festival organizers.
"We are thrilled that JJ Grey & Mofro and Rosanne Cash are among our headliners this year," said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent nonprofit of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol. "Rosanne's participation is especially significant as we recognize the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which her father Johnny Cash named 'the single most important event in the history of country music.'"
Though the festival celebrates the impact of those recordings every year, this year's lineup reflects just how far-reaching and influential the 1927 Bristol Sessions continue to be across a wide range of music genres.
Scheduled to appear at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 9-11,2022:
Rosanne Cash
JJ Grey & Mofro
Jerry Douglas Band
Briston Maroney
Donna the Buffalo
Katie Pruitt
49 Winchester
Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
Dallas Wayne
John R. Miller
Bill & the Belles
The Get Right Band
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
Kyshona
Carson Peters & Iron Mountain
Kelsey Rae
Jennifer Knapp
Jake Blount
The Honey Dewdrops
Adeem the Artist
Casey Noel
Wound Tight
Additional highlights of the festival, with the price of admission, is a special exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 1968 Folsom Prison Redemption that honors "The Man in Black," Johnny Cash.
BCM plans to release additional Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival artists at the end of each month through April, anticipating approximately 100 acts to gather and share their music and creative energy. Weekend passes are on sale now for $100. Artist schedules and single day tickets will be released later this summer. For tickets and more information, visit BristolRhythm.com.
Tanya Tucker, Del McCoury Band, and Asleep at the Wheel are among the second round of lineup additions headlining the 2022 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, which takes place Sept. 9-11 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee. Willie Watson, Nicki Bluhm and Miko Marks are also part of the latest rollout of artists announced today.
"Tanya very much wanted to be here last year, but was unable to join us due to travel issues," said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent nonprofit of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol. "It's serendipitous that she'll perform in Bristol as we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and the same year as Rosanne Cash, another iconic figure in country music."
Rosanne Cash, JJ Grey & Mofro, Briston Maroney and Katie Pruitt were among the artists announced back in January. More of the lineup will be revealed late March.
Scheduled to appear at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 9-11,2022 (February rollout highlighted below):
JJ Grey & Mofro
Tanya Tucker
Rosanne Cash
Del McCoury Band
Jerry Douglas Band
Asleep at the Wheel
Briston Maroney
Donna the Buffalo
Katie Pruitt
49 Winchester
Ralph Stanley II & The Clinch Mountain Boys
Dallas Wayne
John R. Miller
Willie Watson
Nicki Bluhm
Miko Marks
Dallas Moore
Dave Eggar
S.G. Goodman
Emily Scott Robinson
Jonathan Byrd
Bill & the Belles
Wildermiss
Annabelle's Curse
Oh He Dead
The Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band
The Cordovas
Missy Raines & Allegheny
Of Good Nature
Chatham Rabbits
Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast
The Get Right Band
Abby Bryant & The Echoes
Kyshona
Carson Peters & Iron Mountain
Fedor & the Denim Denim
Brennen Leigh
Sunny War
Tuatha Dea
Beth Snapp
Kelsey Rae
Jennifer Knapp
Jake Blount
The Honey Dewdrops
My New Favorites
The Blue Ridge Girls
Alli Epperson
Adeem the Artist
Casey Noel
Wound Tight
Tiffany Williams
Additional highlights of the festival, with the price of admission, is a special exhibit at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 1968 Folsom Prison Redemption that honors "The Man in Black," Johnny Cash.
BCM plans to release additional Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival artists at the end of each month through April, anticipating approximately 100 acts to gather and share their music and creative energy. Weekend passes are on sale now for $100. Artist schedules and single day tickets will be released later this summer. For tickets and more information, visit BristolRhythm.com.
The Wood Brothers, Fantastic Negrito, and Jade Bird are among the third round of artists headlining the 2022 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, which takes place Sept. 9-11 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee. Singer-songwriters Ian Noe, Arlo McKinley, and Aaron Lee Tasjan are also part of the 2022 lineup announced today.
"Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a celebration of the music that has been passed on to us from across the Appalachian region for generations," said Leah Ross, Executive Director of Advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent nonprofit of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol. "Our lineup exemplifies the vast influence of that great legacy on the music of today across a wide range of genres."
Rosanne Cash, JJ Grey & Mofro, Tanya Tucker, Del McCoury Band, and Asleep at the Wheel are among the acts revealed previously in Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion's multi-event campaign. The final additions to the lineup will be announced in April.
The latest round of artists announced today include the following:
The Wood Brothers
Fantastic Negrito
Jade Bird
Ian Noe
Arlo McKinley
Aaron Lee Tasjan
Jamie McLean Band
Riddy Arman
Mo Lowda & the Humble
Andrew Scotchie & the River Rats
Ashley Heath & Her Heathens
Jeremy Ivey
West King String Band
The Judy Chops
Paleface
ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band
Nat Myers
Tan & Sober Gentlemen
The Dimestore Cowboys
Virginia Hollow
Florencia & the Feeling
Momma Molasses
Ron Short & the Possum Playboys
A Talent for Mischief
Basement Days
In addition to booking a stellar lineup, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will observe the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions - the event in history known as the "big bang" of country music and "the single most important event in the history of country music," according to Johnny Cash.
Weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are on sale now for $100, with the price increasing May 1. Artist schedules and single day passes will be released later this summer. To purchase passes and for more information, visit BristolRhythm.com.
The War & Treaty, Sierra Ferrell and Junior Brown are among the final round of artists announced at a press conference today for the 21st Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, which takes place Sept. 9-11 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee. Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Dustbowl Revival, and GRAMMY Award-winning country music stalwart Jim Lauderdale are also on the bill.
"This year marks the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a celebration of that great history," said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), the parent nonprofit of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol. "Our lineup is a reflection of the vast influence those recordings have made on the music of today and the rich music culture of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee."
JJ Grey & Mofro, Tanya Tucker, Rosanne Cash, Del McCoury Band, The Wood Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, Jerry Douglas Band, and Fantastic Negrito are among the acts previously revealed in Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion's multi-event announcement.
More than 120 acts are scheduled to perform on 16 stages over the course of the three-day event where Tennessee and Virginia meet along several blocks of State Street in Historic Downtown Bristol. The twin cities are world-renowned as the site where producer Ralph Peer recorded the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the event in history musicologists refer to as the "big bang of country music." The 1927 Bristol Sessions included the first recordings of the Carter Family, the "First Family of Country Music" and Jimmie Rodgers, the "Father of Country Music." Bristol is designated by U.S. Congress as the birthplace of country music and considered hollowed ground by artists all over the world.
The final round of artists announced today include the following:
The War & Treaty
Sierra Ferrell
Junior Brown
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
Dustbowl Revival
Jim Lauderdale
Cruz Contreras
Joslyn & the Sweet Compression
Fireside Collective
M.S.G. - Acoustic Blues Trio
Margo Cilker
Tall Tall Trees
Miss Tess
Carly Booher Edwards & the Barbirds
The Sweet Lillies
Jive Mother Mary
Ed Snodderly
Daniel Davis
The Corklickers
Wayne Graham
Natalie Price
Breaking Tradition
Cedar Valley
U.S. Navy Band Country Current
Virginia Ground
Fritz & Co.
Side Hustle
Hustle Souls
Vaden Landers
Jett Holden
Abby Hollliday
Thrift Store Cowboys
Maya De Vitry
The Honey Badgers
The Successful Failures
Adam Bolt
Victor Lawson and Boogie Chillen
Jesse Daniel Edwards
Possum Creek Playboys
Green Grass Cloggers
Keller & the Kinfolk
Bailey George & Jukebox Jess
JP Parsons
Sam Collie & The Roustabouts
Zach McNabb
Taylor Winchester
Teni Rane
A few other Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2022 highlights announced this morning included a festival kick-off show on Thursday, Sept. 8 at Lumac Rooftop Bar above The Bristol Hotel, the return of Bristol Rhythm's free Children's Day activities for families on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Anderson Park, and a volunteer recruitment expo in coming weeks with more details to be announced. To stay up-to-date on upcoming announcements, the public is encouraged to sign up for the Birthplace of Country Music newsletter through their website at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are on sale now for $100, that pricing will now extend through June 1. Single day passes to the festival will go on sale when artist schedule is released, coming soon. To check out the lineup in its entirety, purchase weekend passes and festival merchandise, and for more information, visit BristolRhythm.com.
In October 2001, we celebrated our inaugural Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, 74 years after the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions created the "Big Bang of Country Music." Those recordings revolutionized the country music industry and forever changed the landscape of American music.
Back then we could only dream that our small community festival would someday play such an integral role in the growth and success of our region, and we are humbled to know that our event has become a joyful, time-honored tradition for you and your family and friends. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our community and to organize a festival that creates such warm and lasting memories.
Thank you for your continued support of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and the Birthplace of Country Music. We hope you have a fantastic festival!
In October 2001, we celebrated our inaugural Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, 74 years after the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions created the "Big Bang of Country Music." Those recordings revolutionized the country music industry and forever changed the landscape of American music.
Back then we could only dream that our small community festival would someday play such an integral role in the growth and success of our region, and we are humbled to know that our event has become a joyful, time-honored tradition for you and your family and friends. It is an honor and a privilege to serve our community and to organize a festival that creates such warm and lasting memories.
Thank you for your continued support of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and the Birthplace of Country Music.
We hope you have a fantastic festival!
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Presented by the Birthplace of Country Music Celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions September 9-11, 2022
State Street, Historic Downtown Bristol, TN-VA
**Gate Times: Friday 3 p.m. | Saturday 9 a.m. | Sunday 10 a.m.**
Children 12 years and under are free!
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced 49 Winchester, one of the hottest acts to emerge from Southwest Virginia, will perform at its 22nd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival in 2023.
"49 Winchester embodies the tremendous wealth of musical talent that resides in our region," said Leah Ross, BCM executive director of advancement. "We are so proud of the band's accomplishments and are thrilled to announce they'll return to the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion lineup next year."
In the past, 49 Winchester front man Isaac Gibson has stated that performing at the festival was a major goal when the group first formed.
Hailing from Russell Co., Va., 49 Winchester is taking the national music scene by storm with the critically-acclaimed, New West Records release Fortune Favors The Bold, the band's fourth album. 49 has been selling out venues across the country, made their network tv debut on CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and took to the stages of the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium in support of Turnpike Troubadours and Whiskey Myers. Most recently the band's song "Last Call" was featured in an episode of the Paramount Network's Yellowstone starring Kevin Costner. In April the band will return to the Opry and debut at California's Stagecoach Festival with headliners Luke Bryan, Kane Brown, and Chris Stapleton.
Upon announcing the band's upcoming performance at Paramount Bristol, the concert sold out while still in pre-sale.
Though 49 Winchester is the only Bristol Rhythm 2023 act to be revealed at this time - more of the festival lineup will be announced in the new year - BCM disclosed a few exclusive opportunities for festival goers.
"We're also excited to offer a limited number of premium, all-inclusive VIP festival packages for fans that include experiences like yurt 'glamping' and accommodations at The Bristol Hotel or The Sessions Hotel, meet and greets with artists, and much more," said Ross.
Prices for VIP experiences for two people range from $1,500 to $3,500. Each package includes accommodations (hotel or camping), weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, tickets to the pre-festival kick-off concert, meet-and-greets with festival artists, tickets to tour the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and more.
Weekend passes to the 22nd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, slated for Sept. 8-10, 2023, are available for $100 (plus tax/fees) through Cyber Monday, Nov. 28; it is the lowest price available all year. The price of weekend passes increases to $120 (plus tax/fees) on Tuesday, Nov. 29 through Dec. 31, 2022. Prices go up to $140 (plus tax/fees) on Jan. 1, 2023. Bristol Rhythm 2023 weekend passes and exclusive VIP experiences are on sale now at BristolRhythm.com.
There was only one prize-winning teenager carrying stones big enough to say thanks, but no thanks to Roy Acuff. Only one son of Kentucky finding a light of inspiration from Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and catching a fire from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Only one progressive hippie allying with like-minded conspirators, rolling out the New Grass revolution, and then leaving the genre’s torch-bearing band behind as it reached its commercial peak.
There is only one consensus pick of peers and predecessors, of the traditionalists, the rebels, and the next gen devotees. Music’s ultimate inside outsider. Or is it outside insider? There is only one Sam Bush.
In 2009, the Americana Music Association awarded Bush the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist. Punch Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Greensky Bluegrass are just a few present-day bluegrass vanguards among so many musicians he’s influenced. His performances are annual highlights of the festival circuit, with Bush’s joyous perennial appearances at the town’s famed bluegrass fest earning him the title, “King of Telluride.”
Farm and Fun Time variety show live at Paramount Bristol on March 16 with musical guests Sam Bush and Annabelle's Curse with host Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles
There was only one prize-winning teenager carrying stones big enough to say thanks, but no thanks to Roy Acuff. Only one son of Kentucky finding a light of inspiration from Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys and catching a fire from Bob Marley and The Wailers. Only one progressive hippie allying with like-minded conspirators, rolling out the New Grass revolution, and then leaving the genre’s torch-bearing band behind as it reached its commercial peak.
There is only one consensus pick of peers and predecessors, of the traditionalists, the rebels, and the next gen devotees. Music’s ultimate inside outsider. Or is it outside insider? There is only one Sam Bush.
In 2009, the Americana Music Association awarded Bush the Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist. Punch Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Greensky Bluegrass are just a few present-day bluegrass vanguards among so many musicians he’s influenced. His performances are annual highlights of the festival circuit, with Bush’s joyous perennial appearances at the town’s famed bluegrass fest earning him the title, “King of Telluride.”
Farm and Fun Time variety show live at
Paramount Bristol on March 16
with musical guests Sam Bush andAnnabelle's Curse
with host Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles
Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced the addition of Brent Cobb and Carlene Carter to an already stellar Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion lineup, which includes Nickel Creek, Margo Price, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Watchhouse, The Mavericks, 49 Winchester, Larkin Poe, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Allison Russell, Sierra Hull, and many, many more. The festival celebrates its 22nd annual event on State Street in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia September 8-10, 2023.
The daily schedule for Bristol Rhythm has also been released, in addition to single "Any Day" passes, on sale now for $70 plus tax/fees. The full artist schedule, including set times and stages, will be released late summer. Weekend passes to Bristol Rhythm are on sale now for $140 plus tax/fees, with the price increasing at the gate. For tickets and more information visit BristolRhythm.com.
Nickel Creek, Margo Price, and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers headline Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Sept. 8-10 in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tenn.-Va. - the town where the 1927 Bristol Sessions famously sparked the "big bang of country music." Voted among the top five music festivals in the country by USA Today 10Best readers in 2023, the jam-packed, three-day event is honoring its heritage by serving 133 sets of live music and entertainment on 14 stages.
The massive lineup is comprised of 99 acts including Watchhouse, The Mavericks, 49 Winchester, Larkin Poe, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives, Allison Russell, Sierra Hull, Darrell Scott's Electrifying Band, Amythyst Kiah, Brent Cobb, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Oliver Wood Trio, Alison Brown, Jim Lauderdale, Carlene Carter, Adia Victoria, Sons of the East, and Illiterate Light, to name a few.
Bristol Rhythm has a knack for catching stars on the rise; buzzworthy acts on the bill this year include TK & The Holy Know-Nothings, Twisted Pine, Tommy Prine, Arcy Drive, Palmyra, Happy Landing, Erin & The Wildfire, and Nigel Wearne.
The festival will wrap with a Super Set finale by 49 Winchester on Sunday at the Cumberland Square Park Stage, featuring a wide range of special guests soon to be announced...stay tuned!
Other festival events of note include Hoot and Holler, a Roanoke, Va.-based storytelling collective that will bring its stimulating live stage show to Bristol Rhythm for the first time at 12:30 p.m., Sept. 10, on the Theatre Bristol stage.
WBCM Radio Bristol's Farm and Fun Time variety show, hosted by Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles, will broadcast before a live festival audience from the historic Paramount Bristol stage on Saturday of the event with special guests to be announced. The popular program is syndicated for television on Blue Ridge PBS, East Tennessee PBS, and PBS North Carolina.
The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail will offer special music programming at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Friday and Saturday with traditional acts Mustard Cutters, The Loose Strings Band, Ferrum College's Orchestra Appalachia, Whitetop Mountain Band, and Addie Levy.
Bring your mat and join BristolYOGA at Cumberland Square Park at 9 a.m., Sept. 9, for a little self-love and zen; festival wristband is required to participate.
From the first note to the last, the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has declared its 22nd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, presented by Ballad Health, a resounding success. The outpouring of love for the event was a constant throughout the weekend, with artists like Marty Stuart declaring, "I love Bristol!" and Nickel Creek's Chris Thile revealing to fans that playing Bristol Rhythm was goals for him and the band when booking their comeback tour. Alt-rock duo Illiterate Light singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman cited the band's 2022 debut at the festival as a strategic third date for their trio of album release shows last year, then proceeded to rock out on the 6th Street Stage as if it was their first show at Wembley - further proving that Bristol Rhythm isn't just for fans of country.
"It was a great weekend of music with a lot of new faces and several thousand old friends," said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for BCM, the parent nonprofit of the festival, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol. Though final numbers aren't yet available, Ross added: "We exceeded our goals and attendance was definitely up!"
In life a little rain must fall, but that didn't dampen the spirits of an enthusiastic festival crowd. When the music was paused due to brief bouts of lightning and rain throughout the weekend, everyone was directed to take shelter until the threats passed causing brief delays.
When lighting threatened Twisted Pine's Country Music Mural set on Saturday, the band got creative - they unplugged and hunkered down with fans under the covered porch of the Downtown Center for an impromptu acoustic sing-along to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds."
"The festival is downtown so it's easy to get out of the weather," said Jason "Hoss" Hicks of Old Line Skiffle Combo. "A lot of people came in from the rain to catch our set at Borderline Billiards who may have otherwise missed it. This is my favorite festival of all time and I look forward to it every year, even when I'm not playing."
Bristol Rhythm pays homage to the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions every year, but the recordings that created the "big bang of country music" were notably represented over the weekend with sets by Dale Jett, son of Janette Carter and grandson of A.P. and Sara Carter, and Carlene Carter, daughter of June Carter Cash and granddaughter of Maybelle Carter. Both played the Country Music Mural Stage, which is flanked by the famous landmark depicting their ancestors. Carlene pulled out a little tin containing her most prized possessions: small metal picks passed down to her from her mother and grandmother. She reminded fans that Aug. 3 had been declared Carlene Carter Day, an honor she had received in 2019 from the Mayors of Bristol, and added, "You don't have to go to work that day!" Carter sang an evocative rendition of "Storms Are on the Ocean" with only her guitar as accompaniment; fingerpicking in that signature "Carter scratch" that had been taught to her by Mother Maybelle herself. It was a priceless moment where voices of the past sang sweetly into the present - one fans will never forget.
Later Carlene took the stage at Cumberland to join 49 Winchester's high-octane "Super Set" finale with other festival musicians, including Americana legend Jim Lauderdale, Kelsey Waldon, Brent Cobb, Daniel Donato, Sam Collie, Daniel Davis, Kris Truelsen of Bill and the Belles, and William Outlaw, for a moving performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," another song made famous by the Carter Family. They closed with a rousing rendition of the gospel classic "I'll Fly Away," ending the festival on a glorious and uplifting high note.
Winners of the drawing for the 5th annual Bristol Sessions Super Raffle were announced during the festival, with Bristol resident Barbara Holt taking home $20,000 in cash. John Nichols, a resident of The Villages in Florida, won a 2024 Ford Mustang EcoBoost. Visit BristolSessionsSuperRaffle.org for a full list of winners.
Over the weekend Bristol Rhythm offered an early-bird pre-sale online for next year's event, selling over 1,600 tickets. Tickets won't go back on sale until Black Friday, but planning is already underway for the celebration scheduled for Sept. 13-15, 2024. For more information about Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion visit BristolRhythm.com.
If you loved the addition of Hoot and Holler at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion this year, then you won't want to miss its return to Historic Downtown Bristol at 7 p.m. ET, Nov. 16, in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The storytellers are all cast and waiting for a live audience with which to share their tales of music and how it has impacted their lives.
Hoot and Holler is a live storytelling event based in Roanoke, Va. that builds community by encouraging people to step up and share their stories in a supportive, diverse, and empowering format. Organizers believe all stories matter and that all people have thousands of stories within them to tell.
"Hoot and Holler is thrilled to celebrate the magical marriage of story and song for this very special event at the museum," said Lee Hunsaker, the show's producer. "The 'Soundtrack of My Life' stories you will hear will resonate deeply with anyone who has had a song or album or concert or instrument that has carried you through pivotal moments in life. Music can serve as a roadmap of our life experiences. These stories will take us along on eight wildly different journeys, the heartbeat of music pulsing strongly as we lean in and listen."
"Hoot and Holler was such a popular event at the festival, we unfortunately had to turn some people away because we were at capacity in the venue," said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), the parent organization of the museum, the festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol. "We are excited to give audiences another opportunity to see this very special program here in Bristol."
Fans of NPR's "The Moth," "This American Life," "Mortified," and other storytelling events and podcasts will love being part of the audience for Hoot and Holler. A little vaudeville, a smidge of irreverent rock 'n' roll, a dash of freak show, a heap of hilarity, and a massive infusion of soul, Hoot and Holler will restore faith in the way we, as humans, share and listen.
Tickets to be part of the audience for Hoot and Holler at the museum are $15 (plus tax/fees) per person and may be purchased through the events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) proudly presents The Blue Ridge Opry at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace in Abingdon, Va. at 7 p.m. ET, Nov. 18, hosted by Kelley Breiding and featuring her band, The Cowboys. Special guests include Emily Spencer & Debbie Bramer, Bayla Davis & Cary Fridley, Donna Ray Norton, Jim Lloyd, and Ashlee Watkins & Andrew Small. The wholesome variety show brings music, dancing, and comedy together for an evening of great entertainment the entire family will enjoy.
"The Blue Ridge Opry is a traveling musical variety show featuring our area's premier traditional musicians and dancers to promote cultural pride and awareness in the region," said Breiding. "We're thrilled to work with BCM to bring the show to Abingdon for the first time and to join them in honoring the contributions of women in old-time music."
The Blue Ridge Opry is a heartwarming country music variety show that draws its inspiration from the early era of the Grand Ole Opry and the golden age of iconic country legends such as Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Uncle Dave Macon, The Carter Family, Loretta Lynn, and more. The program is hosted and produced by the talented singer and multi-instrumentalist Kelley Breiding and showcases an array of musical guest stars in addition to the host's band Kelley and The Cowboys. Additionally, the program features a delightful blend of comedy and dancers from the Blue Ridge Mountains, bringing the essence of genuine country music home to the Appalachian region.
"The Blue Ridge Opry performance will be a grand celebration of women in old-time music in conjunction with the Birthplace of Country Music Museum's special exhibit I've Endured: Women in Old-Time Music, which is on display at the museum through the end of this year," said Dr. Rene Rodgers, head curator of the museum. "We are thrilled to partner with our friends at Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace for the opportunity to bring the program to our region, with special thanks to the East Tennessee Foundation Art Fund for programming support."
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has unveiled the lineup for In the Pines, an exciting new music experience coming to Historic Downtown Bristol June 1, where freight trains cross between Tennessee and Virginia at the majestic Bristol Sign.
GRAMMY Award-winning "honky-tonk savior" Dwight Yoakam leads the succession with crossover country-rock queen Elle King, Texas firecracker Paul Cauthen, and Wyatt Flores, a 22-year-old Oklahoman who's emerging on the scene as "one of the most exciting new voices in alt-country," according to Holler.
In the Pines is inspired by the iconic song "The Longest Train I Ever Saw," recorded by the Tenneva Ramblers for the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions. From Bill Monroe and Dolly Parton to Leadbelly and Nirvana, the song has undergone many transformations, spanning decades and crossing many genres. The timeless piece serves as a metaphor for the dynamic and influential sounds emanating from Bristol - music that continues to impact the cultural landscape of today. These variations, with different titles and lyrics, reflect the extraordinary essence of Bristol's influence, proving its impact transcends time and continues to resonate with audiences world-wide.
In the Pines is the latest franchise of BCM, the architects behind the award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - a three-day music festival held annually in September, the Smithsonian-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and WBCM Radio Bristol.
Tickets to In the Pines are on sale now at InthePinesBristol.com. VIP and shuttle packages are also available.
49 Winchester, Ashley McBryde, The Wallflowers, The Red Clay Strays, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Sam Bush, Wilderado, The SteelDrivers, Brittney Spencer, Drayton Farley, Jaime Wyatt, Bella White, and Silverada are set to headline the 23rd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. Presented by Ballad Health and produced by the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), the festival returns to State Street in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tenn.-Va. Sept. 13-15.
Additional 2024 performers include Grace Bowers, Jesse Daniel, Dale Watson & His Lone Stars, The Waybacks, Hannah Dasher, Stephen Day, Logan Ledger, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, Tommy Prine, Joshua Hedley, Ed Snodderly, Dallas Wayne, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, J & The Causeways, The Kody Norris Show, Lauren Morrow, Bristol Lightning feat. Dave Eggar, and more to be announced.
Split down the middle by the state lines of Tennessee and Virginia, Bristol is officially designated by U.S. Congress as the "birthplace of country music," due to the lasting impact of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. Overtaking several blocks of downtown below the iconic "Bristol Sign," the festival showcases the roots and far-reaching branches of those sessions on more than a dozen stages over the course of the three-day weekend.
Festival goers are encouraged to visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, located just steps away from festival gates. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the interactive museum, a milestone among many sweeping across The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail--which celebrates its own 20th anniversary this year. Other Crooked Road attractions celebrating milestones in 2024 include The Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, turning 50 this year, plus the 40th anniversary of the Floyd Country Store's Friday Night Jamboree in Floyd, the 20th anniversary of the Ralph Stanley Museum in Clintwood, and the 20th anniversary of the Song of the Mountains concert series in Marion.
In honor of Leap Year, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is offering a special one-day, group discount with the purchase of four weekend passes. Available on Feb. 29 only, a group purchase of four weekend passes will be discounted $29 for a total of $429 (plus tax/fee) at checkout. The purchase of one weekend pass is currently $135 (plus tax/fee); the price will increased March 7. To purchase, visit the festival's website at BristolRhythm.com.
The festival is also accepting applications for unique food and craft vendors through March 31. For more information and to apply, visit BristolRhythm.com.
