Many times when I am given press releases from music functions, I always try my best to include some of my own thoughts and ideas on them. So, let me elaborate on how I feel about the Bristol area, and how integral it is to Country Music…
In the early 1920’s and well into the 1930’s, Mr. Ralph Peer unintentionally became one of the first producers of Country Music. He brought remote recording equipment to Bristol upon the suggestion of others, and advertised that he was seeking talent.
In a short time, many flooded the Bristol area in hopes to be paid to record their songs. The three Carter family members piled into their brother’s car and traveled 26 miles to the recording sessions, which ( included with others ) is regarded as the Bristol Sessions.
Among the others that were recorded and discovered back then was none other than Mr. Jimmie Rodgers, whom I consider one of the first 4 major superstars of Country Music on a commercial echelon.
Through the years the area has established a wonderful museum that opened in 2014 along with an even better festival that was born earlier in 2001, and has been a part of the museum since 2012.
Together, both music ventures juxtaposed together boasts an absolutely amazing effect upon the economy of the immediate area, and one of the 275 festivals that our website covers on a yearly basis, even though I have not been to this one in some time.
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About Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia is heralded as the birthplace of country music, home to the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. The award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a celebration of that great legacy and is renowned for its diverse headliners, established touring acts, up-and-coming artists, and some of the Appalachian region’s finest music across a wide variety of roots genres. It is also noted for its unique downtown setting along State Street, where Virginia and Tennessee meet to form the twin cities of Bristol. Bristol Rhythm forged the path to a renaissance of music, culture, and development in Historic Downtown – and was the catalyst for the opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and WBCM Radio Bristol, which broadcasts live from the museum. The festival hosts an estimated 45,000 attendees across 20 outdoor stages and indoor venues with more than 130 acts of live music over the course of the three-day weekend. For more information about Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, visit BristolRhythm.com.About the Birthplace of Country Music Located in Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee, the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is the parent nonprofit organization of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol. It is the mission of BCM to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich music heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact, and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for BCM’s local and regional communities. BCM accomplishes this mission through each of its primary branches (museum, festival, and radio station), special projects and events, and a multitude of community and educational outreach programs. |
