By Callie Eckley
Going down the narrow road of State Street in Downtown Bristol, a Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival goer pulls out their phone to take a picture of their shoes on either side of the yellow line; they are in two states at once: Tennessee and Virginia.
The historical relevance and tourism of this sister city lie not just in the shared border, but within its musical foundations from almost a century ago. The Bristol Sessions of 1927 are known for being a defining moment in American music, and Bristol holds the title of “the Birthplace of Country Music.”
What started as small family bands and Appalachian musicians turned into a global musical legacy that brings artists from all over to the small town of Bristol.
There is a common misconception that the Bristol Sessions were the first recordings of their kind, but there were a few preceding them. Regardless of this, René Rodgers, the Museum Director of Bristol Country Music Museum, credits them as the most influential.
“Several factors came into play with the 1927 Bristol Sessions that made them so significant and foundational,” Rodgers said.
The first of these factors would be the new electric microphone technology, which produced better sound and granted the portability to take recordings on the road.
“Therefore, producer Ralph Peer of the Victor Talking Machine Company was able to capture songs and performances by 19 different acts, resulting in 76 recordings in Bristol,” Rodgers said.
Another factor that contributed was Peer’s talent scouting, marketing, business strategy and copyright practices.
“[Peer] was good at recognizing music that would sell; he worked hard to bring new ‘hillbilly’ music songs to Victor,” Rodgers said.
The last factor, and the most impactful one for audiences, was the breakout figures such as The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Ernest Stoneman. The Carter Family is often referred to as “the First Family of Country Music,” and Jimmie Rodgers as “the Father of Country Music.”
These sessions didn’t just record music—they shaped the music industry model as a whole.
Bristol was, and still is, a regional hub of railways and mobile accessibility, which made it easy for musicians and record labels or producers to travel to. Peer settled there after taking the advice of Ernest Stoneman.
Before the recording industry set foot in Bristol, there was already a rich Appalachian musical tradition present. So, Bristol wasn’t random, but instead a convergence point of talent, geography and opportunity.
The title of “Birthplace of Country Music” as a Congressional designation was officially given in 1998. This identity formally shapes the city today through tourism, branding and cultural pride.
“For as long as I can remember, music has been a common familial and cultural thread in Bristol,” Charlene Baker said.
Baker is the Associate Director of Believe in Bristol: a company that strives to be a catalyst for positive growth in Downtown Bristol through marketing initiatives, public space improvements, business engagement programs and more.
Baker grew up within the music culture of Bristol, and credits it for shaping important aspects of the work she does today.
“My Dad was a studio musician and luthier, so I grew up around musicians and going to recording sessions with my Dad,” Baker said, “As I got older, I was drawn to the music scene in the Tri-Cities and had a band of my own for a while.”
Through this experience, Baker describes the music scene as tight-knit and encouraging.
“Artists support each other’s work, collaborate on projects and celebrate the wins of each artist as a win for the whole community,” Baker said, “Local musicians are the first to come together for the community during times of crisis, like holding fundraisers for Hurricane Helene relief efforts or to help someone pay medical bills. I imagine artists in other communities are like-minded, but there’s something very special going on here.”
The music scene in Bristol is no longer strictly focused on its country music heritage, but also a living culture that invites many other genres.
“It’s not just bluegrass and roots music, the punk and rock scene is very much alive and well,” Baker said.
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum includes interactive exhibits, films and artifacts to serve as the connection between past and present.
“The museum’s story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions is obviously about the past, but it is also about the legacy of that music and how it lives on today,” Rodgers said.
The museum is also a Smithsonian Affiliate, which allows it to tap into more resources and programming.
“Multiple interactives allow visitors to dig deep into the songs, artists, and history of these recordings,” Rodgers said, “The museum also features text and image panels, along with objects and artifacts, including one of Jimmie Rodgers’ guitars, which is on loan from the Jimmie Rodgers family.”
However, the museum offers what Rodgers referred to as a “living exhibit” that is unlike many other museums.
“A working radio station — Radio Bristol — forms part of the permanent exhibits, broadcasting live from the museum,” Rodgers said.
The museum does encounter some challenges, such as attracting younger audiences or visitors who may not be familiar with or interested in country music. They work to combat these hurdles by offering a wide range of themes and types of exhibits, and they aim for there to be something for everyone.
“We know that once they walk through our doors and experience the museum, they will find the history and music interesting and certainly discover something to enjoy in the tech-driven exhibits,” Rodgers said.
Beyond these exhibits, Rodgers expands on how the museum is more than artifacts and stories of history, but a point of community.
“Music is a universal language, and kids and young adults from our region often have connections through their families or communities to this type of music, and they like to share those stories with us,” Rodgers said, “We try to provide engaging learning experiences to younger visitors and talk to them about how the music of the past has impacted the music they listen to today.”
Both the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Believe in Bristol support economic development in Downtown Bristol businesses, as well as artists who are still actively recording in Bristol.
“Music not only sparked investment and revitalization in our downtown, but it also continues to be a catalyst for economic growth in other parts of the city and the entire region,” Baker said.
Bristol is still a commonly visited recording site due to its history and variety of studios located right in the midst of Downtown.
“Classic Recording Studio is one of three recording studios located downtown and has been a mainstay here since the 1970s,” Baker said, “Kenny Chesney recorded his first demo there, and Classic has recorded tracks for Norah Jones, Lewis Capaldi and Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots.”
The owner, Mike Stephenson, was recently nominated for a GRAMMY for his work on Dave Eggar’s album, which was also nominated. Eggar has worked with celebrities such as Beyonce, Patti Smith and Paul Simon.
Eggar moved to Bristol from New York just to be part of the Bristol scene and has recorded tracks for countless artists from downtown over the years.
“Telling these musical stories is crucial to keeping the music scene here thriving,” Baker said.
Music in Bristol is not just being recorded in studios, but the live music scene is a major draw for music enthusiasts and tourists alike.
The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is a music festival located in Downtown Bristol annually in September, and is coming up on its 25th anniversary. This festival connects global audiences to local heritage
The festival has hosted well-known bands and artists such as 49 Winchester, The Wallflowers, The Red Clay Strays, Sierra Ferrell and more. Usually stretching over the weekend, starting on Friday night, the festival shows performances on a collection of stages day to night, with food trucks, pop-up stores, fundraising events for Downtown arts like Theatre Bristol and even a Ferris wheel.
“The live music experience cannot be replicated on film or video,” Baker said, “The energy exchange, the connection to the musicians and the music, the memories created—there’s nothing like experiencing it live. Seeing a show in downtown Bristol, in the place where legends like the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers made history, it’s truly special.”
Believe in Bristol hosts a musical event series in the summer, leading up to Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, called Border Bash.
Border Bash happens twice a month in June and July, and one date in August, where there is free live music Downtown, usually showcasing smaller, upcoming artists.
These festivals and performances can serve as a modern-day equivalent of the Bristol Sessions, bringing artists together.
Some of these parallels are more straightforward, as many artists who perform in Bristol know and care about the history of early country music. In addition to this, some of the songs recorded in 1927 are still being played both in a traditional way and reimagined by various artists.
“The musical heritage of our region played a huge part in the impact of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, and that musical heritage is still vibrant and evolving in contemporary musicians from this region,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers helps the Birthplace of Country Music Museum connect the past with the present through programs and collections.
The [Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion] festival and Radio Bristol are especially active in fostering new creative voices, supporting and platforming less well-known artists, along with interesting and innovative musicians who are on the cusp of breaking out, and artists who are carrying and passing on the traditions of Appalachian music,” Rodgers said.
As people within the industry start to dig deeper into the history of country music in Bristol and achieve a true understanding of how diverse that history is, the connection to modern-day music is more prevalent than ever.
“As we see more and more people who appreciate this music and want to know more about it, we are given the opportunity through our museum, festival, and radio station to play an active role in supporting musicians and preserving their story for the future, too,” Rodgers said.
For a visitor passing through or planning to spend time in Bristol, Baker recommends visiting the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion.
“They must get a bite at The Burger Bar, where Hank Williams, Sr. may—or may not—have had his last meal,” said Baker.
Bristol isn’t just where country music began; it’s where it keeps becoming and morphing.
“I hope folks understand that the musicians who recorded at the 1927 Bristol Sessions were ordinary people who had an extraordinary impact on music history, from the musicians who recorded once and then never recorded again and the ones who stayed in their communities making music to the “stars” like Stoneman, the Carters, and Rodgers who went on to bigger things and are remembered today as foundational to the genre,” Rodgers said, “I hope folks are inspired to learn more about these amazing musicians and the music they played.”
The lasting impact Bristol had didn’t just change the music industry forever, but also the culture of a community.
“I can say with my full chest that I believe in the transformative power of music because of the work of the Birthplace of Country Music,” Baker said.