This coming weekend, September 9th to the 11th, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will be back in action across a whopping 17 stages.
Taking place in the historic Bristol, TN/VA, city streets and various establishments, the now iconic festival is more than just some of the best country, Americana, roots, rock, and singer-songwriters taking the multiple stages. It’s a celebration of geography and the inception of country music, as Bristol is officially coined The Birthplace of Country Music.
They will be celebrating the 95th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, which is known as “The Big Bang of Country Music.” These sessions saw the debuts of Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family among others.
The Birthplace of Country Music museum, which offers an exceptional educational experience, will display a new special exhibit this year- 1968: A Folsom Redemption. This special Johnny Cash exhibit is a collection of photographs and memories of two journalists lucky enough to be among those who witnessed the legendary Johnny Cash concerts and recordings at Folsom Prison.
From Cash arriving at the prison and his performance in front of an audience of inmates, to behind-the-scenes images of Cash with June Carter and a meeting with Merle Haggard, along with a variety of records, memorabilia, and more, this exhibit is sure to be a unique experience for festival goers.
The significant cultural event of arts and music that is the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion boasts an incredible lineup which features headliners like JJ Grey & Mofro, Tanya Tucker, Rosanne Cash, Del McCoury Band, The Wood Brothers, The War and Treaty, Sierra Ferrell, and many more. Here is a look at the full lineup.
For more information on tickets, volunteering, schedule, and more, visit their website and plan your trip accordingly!
About Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion:
The award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival is a celebration of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia’s legacy as the Birthplace of Country Music. The festival 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. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is also noted for its unique downtown setting along State Street, where Virginia and Tennessee meet to form the twin cities of Bristol. The festival hosts an estimated 45,000 attendees across more than a dozen outdoor stages and indoor venues with approximately 100 acts of live music throughout the three-day weekend.
About the Birthplace of Country Music Museum:
BCM is the keeper of Bristol’s music heritage, and festival-goers are encouraged to learn more about the twin cities’ significant place in history at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum while they are in town. An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the museum explores the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and how evolving sound technology shaped their success. Through multiple theater experiences, interactive exhibits, text and artifacts – along with a variety of educational programs and community events – the exciting story of these recording sessions and their influence on today’s music comes alive. The museum is literally steps away from festival stages at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, and also houses its own radio station – WBCM Radio Bristol – which broadcasts live daily on the air and online.
