Whether from the rowdy NASCAR races or Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival, the intriguing little town of Bristol is familiar to many around.
While part of the tri-cities, Bristol is unique in its location of the Tennessee/Virginia state line. One minute you are in TN, then with a short stroll across the aptly named State Street… voila, you are in VA. What many fail to realize about Bristol is it actually carries the title of the “Birthplace of Country Music.” This year Bristol has an exciting new attraction dedicated to shining a light on the title they take such pride in.
The 1st of August marked the grand opening of The Birthplace of Country Music Museum conveniently located in the heart of downtown Bristol. The museum includes historical videos, interactive touch screens, and an exceptional display of musical instruments. The first ever recordings of then referred to “hillbilly” music, now recognized as “country” occurred in Bristol during the summer of 1927. The “Bristol Sessions” produced the first recordings of legends such as The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. As stated in an online description, “The goal of the museum is to tell the story of Bristol’s music heritage and support a region that continues to influence music around the world”.
While strolling along at your own pace is an option, I suggest beginning your tour by watching the video shown in the Orientation Theatre. You’ll hear a train’s ”choo-choo” as the doors open welcoming you into the room. This video, narrated by John Carter Cash, serves as a historical overview of how the 1927 Bristol Sessions came to take place. After the video, a timeline walks you along the building highlighting important events and artists that were not only part of the 1927 but 1928 Bristol sessions as well. The most significant occurrence documented here is the transition from acoustic recordings using a phonograph to the newest technology, electronic microphones. This advancement provided higher quality recording of string instruments and allowed for a more mobile recording system. Convenient touch screens along the way give you the chance to hear a variety of the music from that era.
The Greasy Strings Theatre presents a video that may ignite an interest for the musical techniques and mechanics used during that time. In the video you’ll see a panel made up of four world-renowned old-time country musicians dissect a handful of the session tunes. They discuss and demonstrate the tactics of influential artists involved in the sessions, including the innovative ‘scratch’ style of Mother Maybelle Carter. If you feel a surge of creativity, plenty of interactive features are waiting for you just around the corner. Embrace the feel of the recording process by mixing songs and actually recording a vocal track while you belt out a classic! Take a seat in the chapel to learn from a true pioneer of country, Dr. Ralph Stanley, about how attendance of regular church services shaped and influenced his music. You can also listen to original 1927 tunes and compare to several other versions that have emerged over the years.
Showing in the “Immersion Theatre” is a compilation film of artists from every genre performing and discussing the classic tune “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. This song always manages to connect and inspire people from all walks of life. This particular video will leave you with chills of the best kind. On your way back to the bottom floor make sure you give the “hall of fame” your autograph and even send a virtual postcard to a friend if you’d like.
So folks, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in Bristol any time soon, take full advantage of your trip. A special Carter Family exhibit will open on September 16th carefully organized by the Carter’s themselves. There is no doubt Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion will provide you a variety of incredible music as they do every year. While on your musical journey in Bristol this year, don’t forget to think about how it all began. Take the time to learn about and pay tribute to those who paved the way, creating the rich musical history found in Bristol. Truly appreciating and understanding the power of music is making a connection not only to the rhythm it produces, but also with the roots from which it came. A trip to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is the very thing to drive you towards that connection.
