Weekly Music Lessons with JAM Kids at the Museum!
2026-03-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-14 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-03-28 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-04 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-11 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-18 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-04-25 10:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) and 5 more dates | VA
Date: Weekly on Saturdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. ET
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: $5 per class or $45 for 10 lessons
Through a new partnership with Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM), the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is a new affiliate location for the program, offering weekly music lessons at the museum for children grades 4-8 and beyond. JAM Kids introduces music through small group instruction on acoustic instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as guitar, banjo, and fiddle. Students may bring their own instruments, or they can be provided as a loan while your child is participating in the program. Other instruments may be introduced as to be determined by instructors. Weekly classes will be held throughout the year, and students can join the program at any point in the year.
Registration is required to participate in this program. You can download the Registration Forms and bring it with you when you drop off your child for their first lesson or complete it at the museum’s front desk upon arrival. Each week, lessons will be filled based on arrival and capped at 30 students. Registration allows you to participate but does not guarantee your spot each week.
We do not offer online registration or spot reservations for this program. Lessons can be purchased as-you-go for $5 or as a bundle of ten pre-paid lessons for $45. The bundle is a discounted rate and will expedite your check-in process, but does not guarantee your spot each week. The class will be closed if capacity is reached before your arrival. Scholarships are available upon request. For more information about signing up for JAM or to inquire about scholarships, email Erika Barker at ebarker@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.
Registration Forms: Please bring all three forms with you when you arrive for your first lesson.

Registration Form
Student Contract
Media Release Form

Junior Appalachian Musicians is a non-profit and the parent organization for 50+ after-school programs for children in grades 4 – 8. We provide communities with the tools and support they need to teach children to play and dance to traditional old-time and bluegrass music. JAM introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, banjo and guitar. Each JAM program is individually operated and funded. By affiliating with the JAM organization, each program is eligible to receive support and resources for free and is licensed to use “Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM)” to identify their traditional music education program.
Be sure to check out JAM Kids on Facebook and Instagram!

The JAM Program Model
JAM is an after-school program for children in grades 4 – 8 and beyond that introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region, such as fiddle, banjo and guitar. Each JAM program is individually operated and funded. By affiliating with the JAM organization, each program is eligible to receive support and resources for free, and is licensed to use “Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM)” to identify their traditional music education program.
Junior Appalachian Musicians ® is a registered trademark of Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc.
In JAM, instrument instruction is often augmented by dance and vocal instruction as well as string band classes and group enrichment lessons, which introduce children to additional Appalachian culture and history. The JAM program model provides children with opportunities to not only learn traditional music, but to also perform in small and large groups. Field trips, visiting artists and an introduction to the rich history of music unique to each local community further supplement program offerings. Each JAM program is encouraged to foster musical traditions by teaching local styles of traditional mountain music and dance to children. Instructors are also encouraged to teach students to learn music by ear, as to preserve oral traditions as much as possible. Other teaching methodologies and instructional skills are covered in regional professional development and training sessions held multiple times per year and hosted by JAM. JAM also encourages student engagement across programs with regional performance and learning activities throughout the year. For a full list of benefits to affiliates, click here.
JAM believes that all children should have access to traditional old time and bluegrass music. It is recommended that each program provide financial assistance through scholarships to children in need. The program model bases tuition fees on student lunch status: $10/week for full pay children, and $5/week for reduced pay children.
Class sizes typically have a student teacher ratio of 8:1 or less. JAM mandates that each affiliated program conduct criminal background checks on their instructors, directors, and other staff members and volunteers. Programs must be held in public facilities accessible to the community. Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc prohibits discrimination against any persons on the bases of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, political beliefs, familial or parental status, and sexual orientation.
For a full listing of affiliation requirements, click here.
History of JAM
Realizing the need to preserve a vital aspect of mountain culture as well as the need for positive activities to underserved youth, Helen White, then a guidance counselor at Sparta Elementary School, founded the first JAM program in Alleghany County, NC in the spring of 2000 with help from other local musicians and educators. Interest in the program spread rapidly with assistance from the National Endowment for the Arts, NC State Arts Council, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and “The Crooked Road – Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail.”
In 2007, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation provided funding to allow the development of a regional infrastructure. The Dana Foundation, Virginia Commission for Arts, the Virginia Foundation for Humanities, the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Harris and Frances Block Foundation and the Tides Foundation have provided funding for materials development.
“Junior Appalachian Musicians” was incorporated in 2008 as a non-profit 501(c)3 tax exempt corporation to promote a shared vision of JAM and to provide an umbrella through which to offer resources, training materials and activities to benefit programs individually and collectively. Currently in nearly 30 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, JAM affiliates are providing access to the joy of music to thousands of youth while instilling renewed interest and pride in their heritage.
Interested in learning more about JAM? Click here.

Speaker Sessions: Malcolm Smith on the Clawhammer Banjo Masters of Southwest Virginia
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Join us on Tuesday, March 10 for a Speaker Session with Malcom Smith on the Clawhammer Banjo Masters of Southwest Virginia. Southwest Virginia has been and continues to be a hotbed of clawhammer banjo playing and old time music. Over the past year, a group of researchers and musicians have put together a new website featuring more than 50 Masters of the folk art, that includes biographies, tunes and anecdotes about the development of the style in the Blue Ridge and beyond. Hear these Masters come to life as Dr. Malcolm Smith, who spearheaded the project along with banjoist Mac Traynham and fiddler and web designer, Jason Phillips, shares stories, music and highlights from this new resource.

REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON HERE

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: In-person at the Birthplace of Country Music, Performance Theater and streamed on Radio Bristol’s YouTube Channel

Cost: Free and open to the public

Malcolm Smith is a writer, storyteller, musician and folklorist who has been studying the music of the mountains for years. His biography of famed fiddler Albert Hash is in its third printing with McFarland Press and his latest project “Clawhammer Masters of SW Virginia” was just released on the web. His latest book “It’s Always Been About the Party:” Appalachian Music in the Blue Ridge” is scheduled to be released later this year. Malcolm is an avid clawhammer player and a recovering college professor. He makes his home in the mountains of Carroll County, VA.

This project was made possible with funding from The Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation.

Songwriters Circle
2026-03-14 14:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-09 14:00 - 17:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
2026 Dates: Monthly, every 2nd Saturday

January 10
February 14
March 14
April 11 (SHOWCASE)
May 9
June 13
July 12
August 8
September 12 (TBD)
October 11
November 14 (SHOWCASE)
December 12

Time: 2-5 p.m. ET
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public, donations encouraged at quarterly showcases
In partnership with Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will host a monthly Songwriters Circle every 2nd Saturday, 2-5 p.m. ET, in the Learning Center. Beginners, experienced songwriters, and aspiring songwriters are invited to share songs, brainstorm ideas, and encourage each other to keep writing. There is no fee to participate.
At the end of each session, the group will choose three prompts to inspire ideas for the following month. The prompts may be objects, phrases, feelings, colors, senses, or any other topic. Writers may use those topics to help them write a song or two to share for the following session. Songwriters do not have to play an instrument in order to participate.
Songwriters Circle is an opportunity to perform, workshop, and network with other artists, with an emphasis on clarity and telling a story. The goals of the group are to encourage songwriting, introduce songwriting shows to audiences in the region, and enlighten the public about the craft of songwriting and its value as an art form.
Fans of music and songwriting are welcome to sit in for a listen at no cost.

About Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia

Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia is led by Mary Munsey, a local musician and educator, recently retired from Virginia Highlands Community College. The program offers a great deal of flexibility in its format for attendees, with varied songwriting interests and abilities. Some of the attendees play instruments and some are curious about songwriting and the process. Lyrics can sometimes only pare up with others that play instruments and put music with the words. Some writers don’t sing, but enjoy hearing others perform their songs. Some of the performances can be a cappella. Some members of the group write one to three songs between sessions and some write more. Sometimes as busy as life gets, writers don’t get to write new material between meetings. We don’t pressure anyone to write, and we don’t criticize anyone. We treat each other with respect. We don’t discuss politics, use profanity, or write antagonistic lyrics.

The focus is not on the beauty of the voice or skill of the instrumentation, but the clearness of the pronunciation and the effect of the song. We work on making sure the audience can hear every word. We are not professional musicians but we are creators of musical stories and that is the beauty of it. The sessions are open to anyone visiting the museum. Genres are not specified. Songs can be instrumental, folk, country, bluegrass, Americana, blues, humorous, jazz, R&B, electronic, and even pop, to name a few. Writers are allowed to bring CDs for sale and to accept tips after performances.
As an extension of this program, each quarter we invite songwriters to attend “Writers-in-the-Round” or WITR concerts. WITR consists of three to five writers together in a circle or on stage. Each writer introduces themselves, gives the title of their song, and then sings it with or without accompaniment. Discussion will follow concerning the origins of the song, how they wrote it, and the song’s inspiration, along with any questions from the audience.

To learn more about Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, visit the website at HighlandsAppalachia.org.

Cardboard Dulcimer-Building Workshop
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Dates: Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 2026 (Two-Day Event)
Time: 1-4 p.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: $37.49, open to the public (recommended age of 16 and up)
SOLD OUT
Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, 1-4 p.m. for a cardboard dulcimer-building workshop! Class size is limited to 15 people and recommended for ages 16 and up; registration fee is $37.49 including all taxes, fees and materials. The class occurs in two sessions to finish the project.
Led by dulcimer player and instructor Roxanne McDaniel, participants will have the opportunity to build their own dulcimer from cardboard using simple tools. Introduced in the early 19th century by Scots-Irish immigrants, the dulcimer has a prominent history in Appalachian music. Participants in the workshop will learn more about that history and the importance of keeping this uniquely Appalachian instrument relevant for younger generations. The dulcimer is also among the most accessible of stringed instruments, making it especially suitable for beginners. This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who wants to learn an instrument, from experienced musicians to complete beginners. The workshop will also introduce participants to a number of simple playing techniques and beginner-friendly dulcimer tunes.
Roxanne is based in Johnson City and is a graduate of East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program. She has a passion for the dulcimer and for teaching others about its importance in Appalachian culture. McDaniel leads classes, hosts dulcimer workshops, and incorporates the instrument heavily in her own music. She is also a Radio Bristol DJ, hosting her show Outside the Box on Thursdays at 2 p.m.
Special thanks to Berea Appalachian Fund’s Folk Arts & Cultures Initiative for support of this project.

Boot Scootin' Block Party
2026-03-27 17:00 - 20:00 | Axe and Ale House, 155 Moore Street, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2026
Time: 5-8 p.m. EST
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum, and Axe and Ale House Dance Tent
Cost: FREE, Donations at the door appreciated to support the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE

Celebrate the last week of the Boot Scootin’ History: The Craft and Stories of Cowboy Boots Special Exhibit with a Boot Scootin’ Block party! Bring out your best boots for the Cowboy Boot Contest, explore the Special Exhibit for free to learn about the history of cowboy boots and what it takes to make boots by hand from one of the best bootmakers in the business, and boogie the night away Line Dancing with Carla at the Dance Tent outside Axe and Ale House!
This event is open to all ages and no experience is necessary. Space is limited, so sign up to participate soon!
Food and drinks are available for purchase inside Axe and Ale House and can be consumed at the Dance Tent. No food or drinks are allowed inside the Special Exhibit.
Cowboy Boot Contest
Sign up for the contest at the registration table by the Dance Tent. Registration ends at 6:15 p.m. or when the 20-person limit is reached. The contest starts at 6:30 p.m. Each contestant will be called up to strike a pose, do a jig, or otherwise show off your boots in the best way you know how. Once all contestants have displayed their boots, three guest judges will choose the top three boots of the evening.

First Place – Two 3-Day GA tickets to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Second Place – Two tickets to Radio Bristol’s May 14 Farm and Fun Time and an Axe and Ale House gift card
Third Place – Two tickets to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a Boot Scootin’ History exhibit poster, boot-themed playing cards, and swag from Axe and Ale House.

Monthly Bluegrass Jam
2026-03-28 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-04-25 15:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, in partnership with the East Tennessee Bluegrass Association, hosts a monthly gathering of local musicians for a bluegrass jam session. The jam events are intended to provide a space for local musicians to gather and pick, collaborate, share their experiences, and—most importantly—to have fun. The jams are acoustic and only feature traditional bluegrass instruments: acoustic guitar, upright bass, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and dobro.
The jams are free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Those just interested in joining as a spectator are welcome at no charge.
Bluegrass Jams will be held every fourth Saturday of the month from 3-5 p.m., serving as a great warm-up for Saturday night gigs. Musicians are asked to bring their own instruments.
The sessions will be held in the Learning Center at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
For more information call 423-573-1927.

Museum Story Time - A Nest Is a Story
2026-04-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Theme: A Nest Is a Story: “The stories curled inside, waiting to hatch, hop, or hum.”
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Storytime program. Aimed at toddler-age children and their grown-ups, we will gather on the first Friday of each month for a music- or Appalachia-related storybooks, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet.
Books that will be featured at Story Time include:

Mama Built a Little Nest by Jennifer Ward
Whose Nest? by Victoria Cochrane

Community Square Dance at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2026-04-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, April 10, 2026
Time: 7-9 p.m. EST
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public, donations appreciated
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE
Come do-si-do and promenade with us!
Join the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for a community square dance on Friday, April 10. Caller Tyler Hughes will lead a short introduction to dance steps, followed by a full square dance with a lively string band led by John Bills.
This event is open to all ages and no experience or partner is required. To protect the Special Exhibits Gallery floor, no heels please; we recommend sturdy shoes so you can dance all night!
Space is limited so sign up to participate soon!

Songwriters Circle SHOWCASE
2026-04-11 14:00 - 15:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
2026 Songwriters Circle Showcases

April 11, 2026
November 14, 2026

Location: Performance Theatre, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public, donations encouraged to benefit the artists and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia are proud to continue these events designed to highlight the talents of songwriters in our region. The Songwriters Circle Showcase will be held twice a year in 2026 at 2 p.m. ET, April 11 and November 14, in the performance theater at the museum. These two Showcases accompany the monthly Songwriters Circle events on second Saturdays. The event is free and open to the public; donations are appreciated.

The quarterly Songwriters Circle Showcase is an extension of the monthly Songwriters Circle program, organized by Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, and will consist of artists who participate in the monthly Circle. The Showcase event is structured similarly to “in the round” events, with each songwriter introducing themselves and their song, which will be performed with or without accompaniment. The songwriter will then hold a discussion about the piece–the origins of the song, its structure, and inspiration–and take questions.
About the featured Songwriters on April 11
Julia Maggard is an Appalachian songwriter from the mountains of southwest Virginia. Her story started in a Pentecostal mountaintop church when she was only three years old and improvised “Away in a Manger” after a Christmas service. She has been singing ever since. When she was only twenty, she signed with an independent record label that produced her debut album “Hard to Believe.” One of its songs, “Ain’t Made Weak” made to number 77 on the Music Row Breakout charts. Today, she’s fully independent and has a 2026 single called “Forever Won’t Be Long Enough”. Her love of language, storytelling, and people has curated a catalogue of music that truly connects.

Jonathan Short has called the APP-UH-LATCH-UN Mountains home his whole life, and like most mountain folk, he has been deeply impacted by mountain music culture. His parents were his first musical influence as part of a southern gospel trio when he was a little boy. Because of the strong religious influence, Jonathan cut his musical teeth by singing in churches in different bands. While still a worship leader in his church, his musical tree sprouted a new branch as his songwriting began taking him on a whole new musical journey.
In 2015, Jonathan began gigging around with his rock and roll band, Hello October, playing lots of local music festivals and venues. Now Jonathan is standing out on his own with a new batch of songs and a new emphasis on his songwriting, hoping to pave a new way for himself as a singer/songwriter. He is a member of SOHA (Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia) and the 2025 winner of the Gathering in the Gap Songwriting Contest with his original song, “Hometown.”

Hannah Rae Adams is an independent singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of funk, folk, rock and baroque pop. Originally from Michigan, she has called Bristol, Tennessee, home since 2017, immersing herself in the region’s rich musical heritage while staying true to her diverse influences. With a background in mental health counseling, Hannah Rae brings a deep sense of introspection and emotional authenticity to her songwriting, crafting lyrics that resonate with themes of love, self-discovery, and transformation.
Her sound is shaped by the timeless grooves of Motown, the raw storytelling of folk and country, and the energy of classic rock, resulting in a style that feels both familiar and refreshingly unique. She is often compared to artists such as Carley Simon, Stevie Nicks, Alanis Morrisette and Joni Mitchell. Whether performing solo with an acoustic guitar or layering harmonies and intricate arrangements in the studio, she delivers music that is as heartfelt as it is compelling.
Hannah’s journey as an artist has led her to stages across the Southeast, where her rich, dynamic vocals and magnetic presence have captivated audiences through her original music as well as a range of crowd-pleasing covers. She has performed live on platforms like Radio Bristol and Appalachian Artists Live, gaining recognition for her ability to connect with listeners on a personal level. With an EP released last spring and a new, full album coming next fall, she is an artist to watch!
With a growing catalog of original music and a passion for storytelling, Hannah Rae Adams continues to carve out her space in the independent music scene, proving that honesty and artistry go hand in hand.

Led by Mary Munsey, a local musician, educator and founder of Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, the weekly Songwriters Circle is open to songwriters of all ages and skill levels. The Circle encourages participants to share songs, brainstorm ideas, and support one another in their creative endeavors. Songwriter Circles are held the second Saturday of each month at the museum, 2-5 p.m. There is no cost to participate.
“The Songwriters Circle aims to foster a collaborative environment for songwriting,” said Munsey. “Importantly, aspiring songwriters do not need to play an instrument to join in the fun.”
The Songwriters Circle not only provides an opportunity for performance and networking, but also emphasizes the importance of clarity and storytelling in songwriting. The group’s mission is to encourage creativity, introduce songwriting shows to regional audiences, and elevate the appreciation of songwriting as a valuable art form.
About Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia

Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia is led by Mary Munsey, a local musician and educator, recently retired from Virginia Highlands Community College. The program offers a great deal of flexibility in its format for attendees, with varied songwriting interests and abilities. Some of the attendees play instruments and some are curious about songwriting and the process. Lyrics can sometimes only pare up with others that play instruments and put music with the words. Some writers don’t sing, but enjoy hearing others perform their songs. Some of the performances can be a cappella. Some members of the group write one to three songs between sessions and some write more. Sometimes as busy as life gets, writers don’t get to write new material between meetings. We don’t pressure anyone to write, and we don’t criticize anyone. We treat each other with respect. We don’t discuss politics, use profanity, or write antagonistic lyrics.

The focus is not on the beauty of the voice or skill of the instrumentation, but the clearness of the pronunciation and the effect of the song. We work on making sure the audience can hear every word. We are not professional musicians but we are creators of musical stories and that is the beauty of it. The sessions are open to anyone visiting the museum. Genres are not specified. Songs can be instrumental, folk, country, bluegrass, Americana, blues, humorous, jazz, R&B, electronic, and even pop, to name a few. Writers are allowed to bring CDs for sale and to accept tips after performances.
For more information about the Songwriters Showcase and Songwriters Circle programs, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org. For more information on Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, HighlandsAppalachia.org.

Speaker Sessions: Martin Fisher and the Art of Archaic Recording
2026-04-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Join us on Tuesday, April 14, for a unique experience! It’s always fun to experience something new and different…or old and archaic…depending on your bent. This program delivers both. We’re gonna do something old and archaic, which will probably be something new and different. We’re gonna record our very own Kris Truelsen from Radio Bristol onto a “wax” cylinder with 100+ year old equipment, and we’re gonna do it WITHOUT electricity and wires! This is a great opportunity to learn more about how early recordings were made and see the work in action.

REGISTER TO ATTEND IN PERSON HERE

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: In-person at the Birthplace of Country Music, Performance Theater and streamed on Radio Bristol’s YouTube Channel

Cost: Free and open to the public

Martin Fisher joined the Center for Popular Music staff at MTSU in September of 2005 having accumulated and maintained a private collection of sound recordings for over 30 years and having 18 years experience in the field of television production with NewsChannel 5, WTVF in Nashville, Tennessee. Fisher also plays the trombone and is a self-taught fiddler who performs regularly with the Nashville Old Time String Band Association. His responsibilities include preserving, maintaining and augmenting the Center’s sound recordings collection, assisting researchers in locating and obtaining copies of recordings, and conducting acoustical “wax” cylinder recording demonstrations as part of the Center’s outreach program. Martin is also a member of the Association for Recorded Sound Collections and Tennessee Folklore Society.

Special Exhibit | Charles Vess: The Book of Ballads
2026-04-17 - 2026-09-30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Dates: April 17 – September 30, 2026
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Ballads – folk songs that tell a story through narrative verse – have been passed down through English, Irish, and Scottish oral traditions and continue to echo throughout the Appalachian Mountains today. Ballads have long captured the hearts and imagination of songsters, storytellers, and listeners, including award-winning illustrator Charles Vess. In 1993 Vess was inspired to illustrate the ballads he had loved to listen to for so many years. He worked with several award-winning and ballad-loving fantasy authors to develop scripts and compiled a series of beautifully illustrated comics, which he published in The Book of Ballads.
The exhibit, Charles Vess: The Book of Ballads, features seven ballads reimagined by some of the greatest fantasy writers of our time. The featured comics, including “The False Knight on the Road” by Neil Gaiman, “Thomas the Rhymer” by Sharyn McCrumb, and “Barbara Allen” by Midori Snyder, are an excellent introduction to traditional ballads for those not yet familiar and a special treat for those who already are. The exhibit also explores the tradition of ballad singing in Appalachia and traces the origin of each ballad and its journey through time. After all, singing is one way to keep ballads alive, art is another.
About Charles Vess

Charles Vess is a well-known illustrator of mythic fiction. Born in Virginia, he began his career working on Marvel’s “Spider-Man” followed by work for other graphic novels and illustrated books at publishing houses such as Tor, Harper, Abrams, and Subterranean Press while living in New York City.
Some favorite collaborations include Ursula K. LeGuin’s The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition (Saga) and Rose (Scholastic) with Jeff Smith, as well as Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (Folio Society) Joanne M. Harris (Honeycomb) and Charles de Lint (The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, Seven Wild Sisters). Over the years he has also worked extensively with British writer Neil Gaiman (Sandman), including their novel Stardust, which was made into a major film.
In 2022 his first novel, The Queen of Summer’s Twilight (NewCon Press) was published. Set in Scotland as well as across the border into Faerie it is based on the ancient ballad of Tam-Lin.
Another favorite is Walking Through the Landscape of Faerie (Faerie Magazine) a book of art, story and poetry designed by Vess with contributions from many of his favorite writers. This book is only available through its publisher’s website and from Charles Vess himself. Please drop by his table and pick up a copy.
Vess’ artwork has also been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. He has won two Hugo, four World Fantasy, three Chesley, six Locus, one Mythopoeic, and two Will Eisner awards for Best Artist over the years.
He lives on the North Fork River in southwestern Virginia where he works diligently from his studio, Green Man Press.

Museum Volunteer Orientation
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
We want YOU to join our wonderful team of volunteers at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum!
Dates: Every other month on a Saturday

February 21, 2026
April 18, 2026
June 20, 2026
August 15, 2026
October 17, 2026
December 19, 2026

Time: 10 a.m.-Noon
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Learning Center
If you have a passion for Bristol and its musical legacy and love helping others, our museum volunteer program is the perfect fit for you!
Museum volunteers play a vital role in a number of key areas behind the scenes and on the front lines, such as working as a gallery assistant or docent, helping out in The Museum Store, working with the public at events, concerts, and programs, assisting with behind the scenes administrative or collections work and so much more! Our Museum Volunteer Orientation session gets you acquainted with every aspect of the museum to help you find your area of interest. Volunteer schedules are flexible and fun!
If you are interested in coming to our Museum Volunteer Training, call 423-573-1927 or email volunteercoordinator@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

Museum Story Time - Moss & Moonlight
2026-05-01 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Theme: Moss & Moonlight: “Thez stories we follow on tiptoe, between the brushstrokes and the trees.”
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Storytime program. Aimed at toddler-age children and their grown-ups, we will gather on the first Friday of each month for a music- or Appalachia-related storybooks, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet.
*This month’s Story Time ties in heavily to the Charles Vess Special Exhibit.
Books that will be featured at Story Time include:

Backyard Fairies by Phoebe Wahl
Children of the Forest by Matthew Myers

1927 Society Concert Series: Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show
2026-05-27 18:00 - 21:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
The Birthplace of Country Music proudly presents the intimate 1927 Concert Series experience featuring live music by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. 1927 Society Concert Underwriting Support Provided By Meade Tractor and Freedom Automotive.
Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Time: Reception starts at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m.
Location: Performance Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tickets: $117.61
GET TICKETS
—Presale for 1927 Society Members starts on Wednesday, February 25 at 12 p.m.
Check email to 1927 Society Members for Presale Access Code
—Public Onsale starts on Wednesday, March 4 at 12 p.m.

The 1927 Concert Series is an intimate concert experience set in the “acoustically perfect” performance theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. It’s more than a night of music, it’s a very personal event with some of the most renowned roots music artists performing today. Guests are asked to arrive promptly at 6 p.m. to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar before the show (ages 21+ with valid ID), food and drinks included with ticket. Music begins at 7 p.m.
Members of the Birthplace of Country Music’s 1927 Society are given access to exclusive ticket pre-sales to the 1927 Concert Series before they go on sale to the public. To learn more about becoming a member of the 1927 Society and all its advantages, click here.
About Ketch Secor
Ketch Secor was 6 years old when he first visited Nashville. Sitting in the church pews of the Grand Ole Opry, he watched Minnie Pearl command the stage, transfixed by country music’s ability to bridge the gap between past and present. When he returned to town in 1996 — two years before forming Old Crow Medicine Show, the Grammy-winning string band that would turn him into a kingpin of American roots music — it was as a busker, playing old-time songs on street corners before shuffling back home to North Carolina.
“There was a real spontaneity and quixotic passion to my early days in Nashville,” he remembers. “It took me a few years to move here permanently, but it was always my intention. I set my sights on it. Nashville was the town for me.”
Now a Nashville resident for 25 years, Ketch reflects on a quarter century spent in Music City and beyond with Story The Crow Told Me. Sharply written and wildly creative, the album marks his first full-length solo release. Its 12 songs tell the story of a Kerouac-worthy journey through the misfit wilderness of life, love, longing, and leaving home, filled to the brim with spoken-word vocal performances, punky tempos, bluegrass harmonies, honking harmonica, and fiddle. There are cameos from simpatico artists like Molly Tuttle and Marty Stuart, and even poignant samples from Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Gluing that expansive mix together is Ketch himself: a roots-music ringleader, countrified carnival barker, and torchbearer of twang, skilled in reinterpreting the sounds of the past for today’s audience. Here, he’s much more than the fiddle-playing frontman of a beloved band; he’s practically the entire band himself, playing nearly a dozen instruments (“including things like organ, bass, spoons, and electric guitar, which people don’t necessarily know I play,” he says) and co-writing every track. The result is a record that’s equal parts coming-of-age story, road-warrior autobiography, and love letter to the city that watched him grow into a man.
www.ketchsecor.com

Museum Story Time - Start Your Story Engines
2026-06-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Theme: Start your Story Engines
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Storytime program. Aimed at toddler-age children and their grown-ups, we will gather on the first Friday of each month for a music- or Appalachia-related storybooks, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet.
Books that will be featured at Story Time include:

Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord
Buster’s Trip to Victory Lane by Dale Earnhardt Jr.
