By Luke Brogden (with help from the DB EXCEL Professional Communications class)
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion 2024 is on its way!
The iconic roots festival has descended upon State Street and surrounding blocks in Downtown Bristol in September for over 20 years now, with no signs of slowing down. This year’s installment runs Friday September 13 to Sunday the 15th.
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, produced by the Birthplace of Country Music Foundation, celebrates the original “big bang” of country music, when New York record man Ralph Peer came down to Bristol with recording equipment advertising for hillbilly acts and got a much more eclectic mix than he bargained for. Peer ended up drawing hungry musicians like AP Carter, who plowed his brother’s field in order to borrow the car to get to the sessions, and Asheville’s Jimmy Rodgers, “The Singing Brakeman,” who fortuitously broke up with his band, recorded solo out of necessity and turned into one of the biggest early stars after those sessions.
The festival also celebrates the evolution of country and roots music since, with several acts reproducing old-time, bluegrass and gospel sounds and others taking the art form and putting a unique modern twist.
The typical Rhythm and Roots lineup features an all-star collection of roots music’s best and brightest, from upstart indie roots acts to current Americana heavy hitters to old-time country jug bands. Usually, to top the bill off, iconic headliners with decades-long staying power dazzle the crowds in primetime on the main stages.
The highly-anticipated lineup for 2024 is no different.
Once small-timers on the local stages, Russell County, VA-based 49 Winchester took the musical world by storm with their 2022 major label debut ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’ which saw them rise to bigger and bigger stages daily, culminating in rabid hometown sets on the main stages in ‘22 and ‘23. This year, celebrating the recent release of their newest record “Leavin’ This Holler,’ they’re positioned as a highly anticipated headliner.
Bob Dylan’s son will be there! The heir of one of the roots music world’s most venerated all-time legends, Jakob Dylan, hit it big in the late 90s with The Wallflowers, most popularly in their hit single “One Headlight.” The Wallflowers have continued to tour behind “Exit Wounds,’ their critically-acclaimed 2021 comeback effort.
Check out more artist previews below to fill out your schedule for the weekend! For the third year, Blank has enlisted the help of the Professional Communications class at Dobyns-Bennett EXCEL, a STEM-designated school of choice in Downtown Kingsport. They’ve contributed some blurbs to the preview guide and one student editor will be onsite at the festival, contributing to our daily recaps.
We’re excited to see you on State Street!
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Tommy Prine
By Sophomore Squid DeHenaut
Tommy Prine, a rising country music legend, announces upcoming live performances in our area! Born to his father, famed American country-folk songwriter and singer John Prine, and his mother, Irish-born costume designer Fiona Whelan, Tommy’s roots in music are deeply steeped in tradition. His father’s influence sparked a passion within him, leading to a fingerpicking skill that shines through in his own compositions. While comparisons to his father are unavoidable, Tommy strives to forge his own path, crafting music that speaks to both his heritage and individuality. Prine released his debut album “This Far South” in 2023, with standout tracks “Ships in The Harbor,” and “I Remember Everything,” which showcase his distinctive voice and storytelling ability that is sure to resonate with fans. Tommy will be gracing the stage at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots’ 2024 installment on the Piedmont Stage Saturday at 2:30. Don’t miss your chance to experience his unique sound and engaging performances. Get your tickets now and join the fun.
Stephen Day
By Jude Athey (Sophomore)
Up-and-coming Stephen Day is a crooner-style singer who is going to be at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion this September after a recent rise to prominence due to the smash success of his new record “Goldmine.” His first album, “Undergrad Romance and the Moses in Me,” from 2016 gave him a nice start into his singing career. If you are interested in seeing Stephen Day perform, he will be at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Sunday at 1pm on the State Street Stage.
Sam Bush
Sam Bush is back! The beloved mandolinist and fiddle virtuoso responsible for the progressive bluegrass movement and eponymous band “New Grass Revival” is returning to Bristol this September. The multiple Grammy and IBMA award winner is a former three-time national champion in the junior division of the National Old-time Fiddlers’ Contest, Bush studied under and was influenced by bluegrass greats like Bill Monroe, Doc Watson and Earl Scruggs. He hit the bigtime with New Grass Revival in 1973 when they had the opportunity to open for star Leon Russell on tour. Bush went on to a successful solo career with highlights like the 2009 release “Circles Around Me” and has continued strong with award-winning releases throughout, including most recently an International Bluegrass Music Association award for Best Bluegrass Album in 2022 for his collection “Radio John: The Songs of John Hartford.” Festival-goers can catch Sam Bush on the Piedmont Stage Sunday, September 15 from 4:15-5:30.
Hippies and Cowboys
by William Burton, Sophomore
Hippies and Cowboys are here for their first time ever at the 2024 installment of the beloved Bristol Rhythm and Roots festival! The Southern rock-inspired band is here for two performances. They started out in Nashville, Tennessee, releasing mostly singles until last year when they released their first album “Live at Fox and Locke.’ This band had humble beginnings with their singles, but they now are quickly growing with their unique sound and take on Southern rock. They will be releasing their second album on September 27th. Though they are new to the scene they are sure to climb to the top. If you want to see the hot new southern rock soul band, they are performing Friday at 8 pm on the 6th Street and Saturday at 12:30 pm on the Piedmont Stage.
Silverada
By Sophomores Viera Machuga and Liam Bond
The band Silverada will be playing at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. On September 14th in the downtown historic district of Bristol. This will be the second time Silverada has been to the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival.
To the uninitiated, Silverada is a strong neo-traditional act with top songs like: “You Look Good In Neon” and “Hour On The Hour.” The band was formerly known as Mike and his Moonpies and includes members Mike Harmeier and his former Moonpies: Taylor Englert, Caitlin Rutherford, Omar Oyoque and Zachary Moulton.
Silverda’s songs are twangy and upbeat but with a sad twist. This country and indie mix is what makes them popular, with Harmeier’s warm vocal, Englert’s pocket drums, Rutherford’s sly guitar skills, steel guitarist Moulton’s cosmic twang, and bassist Omar Oyoque’s thick, rich rhythms rounding out the lineup. The great vocals and twangy steel guitar really make the band stand out.
Mike Harmeier started Silverada as Mike and the Moonpies in 2007 when he was in his early ‘20s. By 2020, the band became global ambassadors of homegrown Texas music. After such a big growth in the popularity of their music, they realized that their music style had changed as they grew, so they thought why not change their name too. So that is how Mike and the Moonpies changed into Silverada.
Silverada has come out with more music on a self-titled release in 2024, including their new singles: “Anywhere But Here”, “Stay By My Side”, and “Doing it Right.”
Come see Silverada and so many others at this year’s Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival Reunion at the Paramount Theatre at 7:30 on Saturday!
Grace Bowers
By sophomore Emma Earles
Grace Bowers, at 18 years old, is already skyrocketing into the public eye. Playing alongside people such as Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson as well as being nominated for Instrumentalist of the Year in the 2024 Americana Music Awards. With Prince Parker on guitar, Alex Mayweather on bass, Joshua Blaylock on keys, Dekar Justice on drums, backup singer Esther Okai-Tetteh singing, and Bowers herself on guitar and lead vocals, the band made their debut performance on the Grand Ole Opry stage on July 30. Now you can see them for yourself at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion on the Cumberland Stage Sunday at 3;30, and get a first listen to her recently dropped releases “Tell Me Why You Do That” and “Wine on Venus.”
