The Birthplace of Country Music

Special Exhibit | Boot Scootin' History: The Craft and Stories of Cowboy Boots
2025-10-14 - 2026-04-06 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Dates: October 14, 2025 – April 6, 2026
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cowboy boots are an iconic element of country music. Bespoke boot maker Lisa Sorrell’s creations illustrate how cowboy boots can fulfill both art and function. Boot Scootin‘ History: The Craft and Stories of Cowboy Boots explores the history and craft of boot making and cowboy boots, shares a behind-the-scenes view into the materials and techniques used, and considers the impact of cowboy boots in country and bluegrass music. With more than 35 of Sorrell’s boots on display – accompanied by personal stories and insights from Sorrell – along with a few cowboy boots connected to industry stars and professionals, visitors will encounter a riot of color and craft, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation into the boot making tradition and the important place of cowboy boots in country music history.
There will be several complementary programs to go along with Boot Scootin‘ History: The Craft and Stories of Cowboy Boots. Sign up for BCM’s newsletter or pay close attention to the Events page on our website for more information.
This programming is made possible through the support of the United Company Foundation.
About Lisa Sorrell

Sorrell Custom Boots was established in 1996 in historic Guthrie, Oklahoma, by Lisa Sorrell. Lisa is a master bootmaker and fine artist whose canvas is the cowboy boot. Every boot she builds is custom fit and handcrafted for each client. Inspired by the art of the cowboy boot, its heritage and tradition, Lisa’s work has been featured in several books, numerous magazines, and the PBS series “Craft in America.” Distinguished by intricate leather inlay, overlay and topstitching, Sorrell Custom Boots has a reputation of pleasing the most discerning clients with boots that invite investigation and tell a great story.
BOOKS:
Written by Lisa: “The Art of Leather Inlay and Overlay” 2015, Schiffer Publishing
Featured in: “The Art of the Boot” by Tyler Beard, “Cowboy Boots” by Tyler Beard, “Cowboy Boots: The Art and Sole” by Jennifer June, and “Portraits of the American Craftsman” by Tadd Myers
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS:
2022
Oklahoma-themed boots installed at the Oklahoma State Capitol as part of their permanent art collection
2020
Academy of Western Artists
Boot Maker of the Year
2016
International Efficiency Contest of the Shoemaker’s Trade, Wiesbaden, Germany
Award: Gold Medal and Silver Master Cup, Luxury Shoe category
2013
International Efficiency Contest of the Shoemaker’s Trade, Wiesbaden, Germany
Award: Gold Medal, Luxury Shoe category
2011
Western Design Conference, Teton Home and Living Magazine, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Award: Best Artist, Leather category
2010
International Efficiency Contest of the Shoemaker’s Trade, Wiesbaden, Germany
Award: Gold Medal, Luxury Shoe category
2009
“17th Annual Western Design Conference”, Teton Home and Living Magazine, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Award: Honorary Mention, “Art to Wear”
2008
Western Design Conference, Teton Home and Living Magazine, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
“Craft in America”, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2007
“15th Annual Western Design Conference”, Teton Home and Living Magazine, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Award: Best Artist, “Art to Wear”
2005
“Boot and Saddlemaker’s Roundup”, Eddie and Kathy Kimmel, Wichita Falls, Texas
Award: First Place, Master Category

Righteous Fuzz
2026-04-05 00:00 - 01:00 (America/New_York) | VA
Righteous Fuzz is where the gritty howl of garage rock meets the soul-stirring twang of classic country gospel. Tune in for a wild ride through fuzz-drenched riffs and heavenly harmonies—think dusty amplifiers cranked to eleven alongside heartfelt hymns that echo through the ages. This show blends the raw, rebellious spirit of garage legends with the timeless redemption of gospel classics. Whether you’re a sinner, a saint, or somewhere in between, Righteous Fuzz delivers a sound that’ll shake your bones and lift your spirit.

Stained Glass Bluegrass
2026-04-05 10:00 - 11:00 | VA
Probably more than any other popular music, bluegrass has always embraced gospel. The harmonies of church hymns and hand-clapping songs of praise are part of the roots of bluegrass. Many festivals still devote the Sunday morning stage to gospel sets, and it’s common for bluegrass radio shows to play a gospel number or two every hour. Bluegrass fans have enjoyed the sounds of Sunday morning gospel since 1974, when Stained Glass Bluegrass first aired on WAMU-FM. The show has been continuously broadcast every Sunday since then, and is a mainstay of Bluegrass Country Radio. Over the years, we have heard from listeners from just about all faiths and those who somehow relate to or simply enjoy the vocal harmonies, melodies, or the instrumentation and sincerity of this music. We invite you to join host Cindy Baucom every Sunday morning at 10 AM EST, and become a part of the Stained Glass Bluegrass family right here on Radio Bristol!

Tennessee Farm Table
2026-04-05 13:00 - 13:30 | VA
The Tennessee Farm Table is a weekly radio show featuring the people of the state of Tennessee who produce, prepare and preserve foods and agricultural products. The radio show ends with a bluegrass gospel song, usually from a regional musician or band. The show is hosted by Amy Campbell, who is the founder, owner, and producer of The Tennessee Farm Table. Tune-in to listen every Sunday at 1pm EST.

Ozark Highlands Radio
2026-04-05 14:00 - 15:00 | VA
Ozark Highlands Radio is an hour-long public radio program that features live musical performances recorded at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. With archival recordings from native Ozark musicians to the contemporary Roots/Old Time performers of today, Ozark Highlands Radio explores the history, tradition and current trends in traditional and modern acoustic music.

Pressing Matters
2026-04-05 15:00 - 16:00 | VA
Dive into the ever expanding world of vinyl records with host Clint Holley. Vinyl records, once considered a “dead” format, have exploded in popularity during the last decade. Join Clint Thursdays at 6pm as he plays new music being released on vinyl, explores newly pressed re-issues, and dusts off some lost classics. As a bonus, find out more about vinyl culture as Clint interviews the people who are driving the new found enthusiasm for vinyl through their passionate work and collecting. Show replays Sundays at 3pm.
