Monthly Country Jam
2024-05-11 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-08 14:00 - 17:00, 2024-08-10 14:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Dates: Monthly every 2nd Saturday
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: FREE EVENT
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum hosts a monthly gathering of local musicians for a country jam session focusing on country, old-time and blues music. 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!
Country Jams will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., serving as a great warm-up for Saturday night gigs. Musicians are asked to bring their own instruments.
The jams are free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Those just interested in attending as a spectator are also welcome at no charge.
For more information call 423-573-1927.

Speaker Sessions: Dave Eggar and Len Cook on Composing a Champion
2024-05-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
RSVP HERE
Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tuesday, May 14, 7:00 p.m. for our monthly Speaker Sessions with Dave Eggar and Len Cook on “Composing a Champion: A New Horizon in Professional Performance.”
It takes courage to follow your dreams and create something unique. In 1927, the people who came to Bristol to record showed that courage and sparked a revolution in music. For generations, Bristolians embraced their art and heritage with unwavering tenacity to get Bristol recognized as the birthplace of country music. Dave Eggar and Len Cook – two high-level performers who understand the characteristics of a successful artist and what qualities contribute to courage, resilience, and confidence – have taken the collective experiences, habits, strategies, and mindsets that have led them to success on the stage and in the ring across the country to discuss strategies for overcoming self-doubt, performance anxiety, and the limits we put on ourselves. With this Speaker Sessions, Dave and Len will share how they developed their program “Composing a Champion,” their experience taking it on the road to 25 colleges to work with artist-side confidence-building and finding their unique voice, and the impact this work has had. Taking inspiration from the early pioneers of Bristol, both then and now, join us on this journey to a new horizon in performance.
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.
About Dave Eggar and Len Cook
Dave Eggar is a five-time Grammy-nominated virtuoso cellist, Harvard graduate, and Ivy League college professor. Over the past 2 1/2 decades, Dave has been a first-call cellist and string arranger for superstars like Coldplay, Evanescence, John Legend, Lewis Capaldi and Bebe Rexha and Foreigner. He is a regular performer at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
Len Cook is a career martial artist with over 20 years of experience. He is a professional MMA fighter, undefeated professional kickboxer, and owner and head coach of Champion Striking and Fitness in Bristol, Virginia. As a competitor, Len climbed his way up the ranks and quickly claimed 3 Bantamweight champion titles and was ranked as number 1 Bantamweight fighter in the Southeast region.

Monthly Museum Volunteer Orientation
2024-05-25 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-27 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-28 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!
Date: Every 4th Saturday except for June (no training), October & November (3rd Saturday) and December (no training)
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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 Myrissa at volunteercoordinator@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

Museum Story Time - "She Sang for the Mountains: The Story of Singer, Songwriter, Activist Jean Ritchie" by Shannon Hitchcock
2024-06-07 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, June 7, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Story Time 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 storybook, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet. This month we will be doing a fun mountain-art craft!
About “ She Sang for the Mountains: The Story of Singer, Songwriter, Activist Jean Ritchie”
This lyrical picture book biography of songwriter and activist Jean Ritchie-Singer traces her life from the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky to New York City and beyond as her protest songs inspired a nation. The author and illustrator previously teamed up for the stunning biography Saving Granddaddy’s Stories: Ray Hicks, the Voice of Appalachia.
About the Author

Shannon Hitchcock was born in North Carolina and grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. She is the author of four middle grade novels, Flying Over Water, One True Way, Ruby Lee & Me, and The Ballad of Jessie Pearl. Her books have been featured on many state award lists and have received acclaimed reviews. Saving Granddaddy’s Stories is Shannon’s debut picture book. She recently moved to Asheville, North Carolina, where she can see the mountains every day.

JAM Kids in Concert
2024-06-08 10:30 - 11:30 | VA
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. ET
Location: Performance Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
FREE EVENT!
Since October of 2023, JAM Kids have worked hard each week at the museum earning their chops on guitar, banjo and fiddle in a group learning atmosphere. On Saturday, June 8 they’ll come together to perform a concert for friends and family–and the public is invited to attend at no cost! Join us in the museum’s performance theater to see what these amazing students have learned over the past eight months; we are very excited for you to see their progress and to learn more about JAM Kids!
About JAM Kids
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.

Speaker Sessions: Andrew Finn Magill on the Relationships between Irish, Scottish, and American Fiddle Styles
2024-06-11 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, June 11, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
RSVP HERE
Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 p.m. for our monthly Speaker Sessions with musician Andrew Finn Magill on “The Relationships between Irish, Scottish, and American Fiddle Styles: An Immigration Story.” The traditional dance music of the southern US is inextricably linked with the music of Scotland and Ireland. Andrew was born in the Appalachian mountains into an Irish-American family that plays Irish music. Since his earliest memories, the fiddling traditions from both sides of the Atlantic have been ever present in his life and musical career. In this interactive presentation, we will explore how the history of Scottish and Irish immigration has influenced the evolution of traditional southern fiddling. Andrew will demonstrate various fiddle styles, bowing techniques, and repertoires, and the audience can ask questions. The performance is meant to be participatory and inspire larger conversations about immigration, identity, and Irish and Scottish music’s place in the larger tapestry of Southern culture.
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.

About Andrew Finn Magill
For twenty years North Carolina-native violinist/fiddler Andrew Finn Magill has been pursuing parallel careers in traditional Irish music, Brazilian choro, jazz and American fiddle. Magill learned from the best fiddlers in the world at The Swannanoa Gathering and has gone on to be a performer and headliner at festivals including Celtic Connections in Glasgow Scotland, Malawi’s prestigious Lake of Stars Festival, and Milwaukee Irishfest. He is a Fulbright fellow, North Carolina Arts Council Fellow and has been featured on MTV, TEDx, and multiple times on NPR.

His 2016 album Roots (featuring Cillian Vallely of Lúnasa and John Doyle) debuted at number #46 on the folk DJ charts and he has released seven albums since resulting in a record deal with Ropeadope Records. He has performed with everyone from Grammy-nominees John Doyle and Trio Brasileiro to Rising Appalachia. In 2020 he released the EP Half Light with former Paul McKenna Bandmate Seán Gray and full-length album Murray & Magill with Scottish singer and guitar & bouzouki-player Alan Murray (Colin Farrell Band). In 2023 he released The Polaris Project on Ropeadope Records, the follow up to 2021’s Festa! on the same label, and his quartet is represented by Marsalis Mansion Artists.
“I’m gonna keep listening for Finn Magill.” ~ Grammy-winner Tim O’Brien
“It’s nice to see fresh, young musicians carrying on the traditions of Brazilian music. Finn Magill displays a love and authenticity that can fool you into thinking he is from Brazil. His style is playful and light, yet soulful and passionate. Congratulations!” ~ Airto Moreira (Miles Davis, Weather Report, Chick Corea)
“Serene and incredibly soulful, North Carolina fiddler Andrew Finn Magill encounters the tradition in a manner reminiscent of Keith Jarrett on The Melody at Night With You.” ~ The Irish Times
“Andrew Finn Magill is a leading fiddler in a new generation of musicians.” ~ BBC Folk Musician of the year Martin Hayes
“Magill’s fresh, clear tones calls to mind Stéphane Grappelli…” ~ Songlines Magazine
“The solo concert Finn gave at our Fellowship felt like traveling to other cultures and continents with an enthusiastic musical tour guide! From Ghana to Ireland to the Appalachian mountains, we got to experience an incredible variety of music exquisitely performed.” ~ Sara Davis, Music Director Miami Valley UU Church
“What sets him apart from other virtuoso violinists and fiddlers is his incredible range of musical interests”. ~Willard Watson Program & Outreach Director, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
“He interlaced musical pieces with information on the history of Celtic music in the south, his personal journey and connection to the music, and humor.” ~ Stephenie Berggrun, CIT NC Certified Environmental Educator Schiele Museum of Natural History

SOLD OUT! 1927 Concert Series with Special Guest Pokey LaFarge
2024-06-22 18:00 - 21:00 | VA
Sorry, tickets to this event are now SOLD OUT!
The Birthplace of Country Music proudly presents the intimate 1927 Concert Series experience featuring live music by Pokey LaFarge.
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Performance Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tickets: $100

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 6:00 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.
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 Pokey LaFarge
After crisscrossing the nation for the last half-decade looking for home, Pokey LaFarge found himself in Mid-Coast Maine. Upon arriving, the Illinois-born singer/songwriter/actor pursued a major life change, working 12-hour days on a local farm—a turn of events that catalyzed an extraordinary burst of creativity and redefined his sense of purpose as an artist. On his new album Rhumba Country, LaFarge reveals his newly heightened devotion to making music that channels pure joy. “There was a time when I glorified sadness because I lost sight of who I was, but now I understand that creating and expressing joy is my gift, and gifts are meant to be shared,” he says. Reclaiming his voice, LaFarge has recorded his boldest album yet.
Rhumba Country was initially shaped from material that emerged while LaFarge was deep in work on the farm. “I’d be pushing a plow or scattering seeds, and the songs would just come to me,” he recalls. “It was tremendously inspirational and made me realize that apart from singing, farming is perhaps the oldest human art form.” But as he moved forward with his songwriting, something felt undeniably amiss. LaFarge then spoke with fellow Midwestern transplant Elliot Bergman (Wild Belle), who suggested he return to city life in Los Angeles for a season so that the two musicians could work together—a collaboration that soon brought the rhumba to LaFarge’s country. As he immersed himself in the album’s creation, LaFarge began dreaming up a kaleidoscopic sound informed by his love of music from far-ranging eras and corners of the globe, including mambo, tropicália, rocksteady, and mid-century American rock-and-roll. Co-produced along with Chris Seefried and Bergman and recorded in L.A., the resulting Rhumba Country is an invitation to come together to celebrate life and love. “The songs that naturally come to me are upbeat and make you wanna dance or at least bop your head—they’re all very colorful,” says LaFarge. “I used to think of my music in dark blue, but now I see it in technicolor.”
Reflecting on the origins of Rhumba Country, LaFarge points to one of the most crucial revelations he experienced while farming: a newfound understanding of the uniquely human potential to be “conduits of continuous creation.” To that end, his effort to provide listeners with “medicine for the soul” has led LaFarge toward a deeper level of dedication when it comes to nurturing his own spirit. “You have to live the life you’re singing in your songs—no matter what you’re going through,” he says. “Everything will come out in your music whether you want it to or not. I’ve realized that the more I can pursue goodness and live in peace, the more I can make the music I was put here to make.” And by living with intention and fully connecting with his truest purpose, LaFarge might finally be ready to lay his head in a place he calls home.
For more information about Pokey LaFarge and to purchase his music, visit PokeyLaFarge.net.

Museum Story Time - "Cowboy Bunnies" by Christine Loomis
2024-07-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, July 5, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Story Time 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 storybook, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet. This month we will be doing a fun bunny-art craft!
About “ Cowboy Bunnies”
Cowboy bunnies get up early to spend the day riding horses, roping cows, tossing hay, and enjoying a feast around the campfire, but when the day is over, they head home to put on pajamas, listen to a lullaby, and head for bed to dream of their wonderful adventures.
About the Author

Christine Loomis may have a habit of writing picture books on long car trips with her family, but “Cowboy Bunnies” was written on a plane trip. Her inspiration came from a dream her mother had one night, of bunnies in cowboy outfits, jumping hurdles.
An editor, writer, and children’s book reviewer, Ms. Loomis loves in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband, their three children, and one bunny. She has written several children’s books, and this is her first for Putnam

Speaker Sessions: After the Big Bang: A Record Collector's Journey of Local Independent Record Labels with Lonnie Salyer
2024-07-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, July 9, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
RSVP HERE
Join us on Tuesday, July 9, 7:00 p.m. as we host Lonnie Salyer (Big Lon) on “After The Big Bang: A Record Collector’s Discovery of Local Independent Record Labels” for our next Speaker Sessions! Big Lon will share his journey from novice record collector to local music historian, providing an overview of the independent recording studios, record labels, and artists of the Tri- Cities region. In this Speaker Session, Big Lon takes us behind the scenes of his collecting journey and radio show by sharing his digging experiences along with local vintage 78rpm and 45rpm records he’ll display and play for us.
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.
About Lonnie Salyer
Lonnie Salyer, aka Big Lon, is a local music historian who has combined his love of history and music to build a collection of rare, locally recorded 45rpm and 78rpm records. Lonnie hosts the
weekly show Diggin’ With Big Lon on WBCM Radio Bristol. He has appeared in articles, podcasts, blogs, and on TV shows related to regional music history. Occasionally you can catch Lon doing a live record-spinning DJ set at breweries and tap rooms throughout the region. You can follow Big Lon on Facebook at Big Lon’s Crateful Dig. This summer Big Lon will be hosting the 3rd Annual Big Lon’s Vinyl Record Expo for Kingsport Funfest.

Workshop: Introduction to Oral History Methods
2024-07-14 15:00 - 16:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Sunday, July 14
Time: 3:00-4:00pm
Location: Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: FREE but registration is required due to limited capacity
REGISTER HERE
This Introduction to Oral History Methods workshop will provide an introduction to the method of recording oral histories, or extended life story interviews. Taught by Virginia state folklorist Katy Clune, participants will gain an introduction to the ethics, techniques, technology, and processing of interviews. With nothing more than your phone and your curiosity, you can start recording the precious memories of family and community members around you. Clune will share her experience and advice based on interviewing hundreds of people in the last decade.
About Katy Clune

Katy Clune is Virginia’s state folklorist and director of the Virginia Folklife Program, which serves to sustain and empower the vital and diverse cultures and traditions of communities across the Commonwealth.
Katy has dedicated her career to forging connections between people through culture and creating platforms for communities and artists to tell their stories and expand the reach of their voices. She has worked for educational and cultural organizations including the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, The Textile Museum, the Center for the Study of the American South at UNC Chapel Hill, and, most recently, Duke University’s arts initiative.
In 2021, she received an Archie Green Fellowship from the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress to interview repair professionals across North Carolina. She has her BA in art history from UC Berkeley and her MA in folklore from UNC Chapel Hill. Raised in the Foreign Service, she has called six countries and both US coasts home. Outside of work, Katy sews, plays with printmaking, and aspires to turn her backyard into a cut flower farm.

Teacher In-Service Workshops at the Museum -- SPACE FULL
2024-07-15 09:00 - 2024-07-16 15:00 | VA
We are now at capacity for this year’s teacher in-service workshops. However, you can put your name on the waiting list by emailing rrodgers@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, and we will let you know if a place opens up.
Dates: Monday, July 15, 2024 (Elementary)
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 (Middle & High School)
Time: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: FREE
Professional Development Credit: Six (6) hours
This summer the Birthplace of Country Music Museum (BCMM) is offering free K-12 Teacher In-Service Workshops, scheduled for Monday, July 15 (elementary) and Tuesday, July 16 (middle and high school). Each workshop will consist of:

8:30–9:00am – Sign in, pick up educator packets, enjoy doughnuts and coffee
9:00am–12:00pm – Birthplace of Country Music Museum activities and resources
12:00–12:30pm – Lunch (provided)
12:30–3:00pm – “Folklife Across the Curriculum: An Expedition to the Local” Local Learning and Virginia Humanities activities and resources (also relevant to TN educators)

With the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, educators will get an introductory museum tour, exploring the different TN and VA state standards that connect with museum content, including ELA, social sciences, music, STEM, and physical education; an introduction to museum-based lesson plans; a chance to experience Banjo Bingo and/or Instrument Petting Zoo; and access to a variety of educational resources.
The second part of the workshop – featuring Paddy Bowman Founding Director, Local Learning: The National Network for Folk Arts in Education; Katy Clune, Director, Virginia Folklife Program; Peter Hedlund, Director, Encyclopedia Virginia; and Emma Ito, Director of Education, Virginia Humanities – will explore “Folklife Across the Curriculum: An Expedition to the Local.” From rockabilly to hip-hop, hot rods to regalia making, memes to manners, local folklife can enliven learning across disciplines and grade levels. This workshop calls on the traditions of home, school, and community as pathways to deepen students’ understanding of culture, heighten their sense of identity, and inspire critical thinking. Local Learning and these three Virginia Humanities programs will offer free resources, content, and more, all while exploring the ethnographic tools of interviewing, writing, sketching, and analyzing artifacts. Participants can expect hands-on engagement, collaborative learning, and fresh perspectives about the dynamic nature of folklife and the humanities and why they matter in preparing young people to face the future in our complex world. Please note: While this part of the workshop is led by Virginia organizations, the content included will also be relevant to educators from Tennessee.
Teachers will each receive an educator packet with information about the three organizations and their resources, classroom and other swag, a complimentary ticket to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, a VISA gift card, and six (6) hours of professional development (licensure) credit. There will also be door/raffle prizes!
Sign up today for a distinctively fun and educational professional development opportunity to learn more about a variety of learning resources and ideas!

Community Square Dance at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2024-07-27 18:30 - 21:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Saturday, July 27, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. Eastern
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free but any donations at the door will support the museum
RSVP HERE
Come do-si-do and promenade with us!
Join the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for a community square dance on Saturday, July 27. Caller Tyler Hughes will lead a short introduction to dance steps at 6:30pm, followed by a full square dance with a lively string band at 7:00pm.
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!

Museum Story Time - "Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile" by Gloria Houston
2024-08-02 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, August 2, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Story Time 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 storybook, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet. This month we will be doing a fun book-making craft!
About “ Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile”
From Gloria Houston and Susan Condie Lamb comes the true story of Miss Dorothy, an enterprising and dedicated librarian who drove a bookmobile to bring books to her neighbors in Appalachia, in this companion volume to My Great-Aunt Arizona. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.
Dorothy’s dearest wish is to be a librarian in a fine brick library just like the one she visited when she was small. But her new home in North Carolina has valleys and streams but no libraries, so Miss Dorothy and her neighbors decide to start a bookmobile. Instead of people coming to a fine brick library, Miss Dorothy can now bring the books to them—at school, on the farm, even once in the middle of a river!
The book won the American Association of University Women’s North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award and was selected as the Independent Bookseller’s “Inspired Recommendations for Kids.”
About the Author

Dr. Gloria Houston is internationally known as an educator and an author of multi-award winning, best selling books for young readers, as well as a writer of textbooks and other teaching materials. However, she typifies herself as “first, last and always, a teacher.” As an author of critically acclaimed novels and picture books for young readers, her books have won and been listed on more than forty awards and awards lists, with one international award.

Speaker Sessions: Brandon Story on Gospel According to Bristol
2024-08-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
RSVP HERE
Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tuesday, August 13, 7:00 p.m. for our monthly Speaker Sessions with Brandon Story on “Gospel According to Bristol.” Of the 76 sides recorded in Bristol in 1927, 31 were were gospel songs. This variety of solo, quartet, string-band, and full-choir gospel music allows us to sample the sacred music of the central Appalachian region in the 1920s. Brandon’s talk will focus on the recordings of Alfred Karnes, Ernest Phipps, The Alcoa and Stamps Quartets, and the Tennessee Mountaineers and consider how worship traditions and beliefs influenced song selections and performance styles.
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.
About Brandon Story
Brandon Story teaches English at King University. His research focuses on the ways Appalachia intersects with Modernism. His chapter “The Gospel According to Bristol: The Life, Music, and Ministry of Ernest Phipps” appeared in Charles Wolfe and Ted Olson’s collection The Bristol Sessions: Writings About the Big Bang of Country Music. As a musician, he has performed with The Reeltime Travelers, The Brother Boys, and with his wife and fellow English teacher, Mariel Story. He has also written a post on Ernest Phipps for the BCM blog.
Image (right): The Stamps Quartet

Special Exhibit: Songwriter Musician
2024-08-31 - 2024-12-31 | VA
Dates: August 31 – December 31, 2024
Location: Special Exhibits Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
More than 30 years ago, photographer Ed Rode met Chet Atkins, one of the greatest figures in country music. Soon they were talking about where to find the good stories on Music Row — specifically, with the talented songwriters whose unseen contributions powered Nashville’s iconic sound. After many conversations, the Songwriter Musician project was born, resulting in “fly-on-the-wall” documentary portraits of a wide range of artists that bring to life the vulnerable, provocative, and unexpected moments inside Nashville’s rich tradition of songwriting. Featured artists include Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, Vince Gill, The Chicks, Jelly Roll, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, John Prine, George Strait, and Keb Mo, amongst others.
These photographs will be on display at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum August 31–December 31, 2024, alongside objects and memorabilia related to the artists captured by Rode’s camera. Visit The Museum Store for a copy of Songwriter Musician: Behind the Curtain with Nashville’s Iconic Storytellers and Players, A Photo Documentary by Ed Rode, available for purchase for the duration of the special exhibit.
Check our Events Page for complementary programming to the special exhibit, including:

Thursday, October 17, 7 p.m. – Songwriters in the Round: Linda and David Lay, Sandy Shortridge, and Rafe Van Hoy
Saturday, November 9, 7 p.m. – Songwriter Musician Exhibit Talk with Ed Rode and Don Henry

Special thanks to the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation for their support of this exhibit.

Museum Story Time - "Moon Bound Girl: Harmony's World Tour" by Leigh Ann Agee
2024-09-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, September 6, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Story Time 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 storybook, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet. This month we will be doing a fun moon-art craft!
About “ Moon Bound Girl: Harmony’s World Tour”
Book #2 in the Moon Bound Girl series, “Moon Bound Girl; Harmony’s World Tour” is a tale of a girl who discovers her passion for singing and dreams her way around the world. She quickly realizes she’s not the only one in the world shooting for that big moon in the sky. Harmony inspires girls of all ages to dream bigger no matter who you are or where you are on the planet! The book has a jacket and features a mirror inside the back cover where the reader can see themselves with their own hair in the air with butterflies!
About the Author

Bristol native Leigh Ann Agee is a renowned artist who has been creating, painting, and inspiring for more than 30 years. As an award-winning muralist, Leigh Ann spent the first part of her career painting over 1,000 walls and rooms throughout the southeast. She created custom murals for schools, nurseries, public projects and private homes. When she realized that people were connecting with her work and becoming inspired by her murals, she set out on a journey to bring her life’s work to more people, in a more personal manner – that’s how Moon Bound Girl was born. Leigh Ann created the Moon Bound Girl brand to house colorful characters that inspire others to hope, love and dream, too. Her mission is to create meaningful art that connects with the inner passion of others. Moon Bound Girl’s story – and Leigh Ann’s – show that if you follow your heart, anything is possible.

VMFA on the Road Artmobile at Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2024-09-11 - 2024-09-15 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Dates :

For school visits and drop-in visitors:

Wednesday, September 11–Sunday, September 15
Wednesday, September 11–Thursday, September 12

For drop-in visitors and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival goers:

Friday, September 13–Sunday, September 15

Scroll down for schedule
Location: Cumberland Square Park parking lot, corner of Cumberland & Moore Streets
(directly across from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum)
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is bringing traveling art exhibitions and educational offerings to audiences across the state with VMFA on the Road: An Artmobile for the 21st century! This state-of-the-art mobile museum and education studio will be at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and open to school groups, drop-in visitors, and Bristol Rhythm festivalgoers for several days in September.
Exhibit Description: This year’s VMFA on the Road exhibition – Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist’s Guide to Emotions – examines the complex relationship between art and emotion across various cultures and time periods. Despite their different backgrounds, the wide range of artists and cultures showcased demonstrate the unifying nature of human emotion.
Emotion and expression have always been integral to the creative process of art making. Artists convey emotions through their use of color, shapes, symbolism, and text. Artworks can reflect personal emotions or the wider mood of a culture or historical period, shedding light on significant events and their impact on people. The power of art lies in its ability to communicate these feelings and messages, fostering conversations and understanding among viewers and communities.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 lockdown and amid growing societal divisions, emotions, empathy, and self-reflection hold great significance. We invite you to consider the emotions you experience throughout the exhibition. How does the artwork influence your emotional state? What can you learn about your reactions? Engaging with these emotions can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and others, promoting dialogue and connection.
Family Visit Guide: A Family Visit Guide is available online, and paper copies will be available at the Artmobile for visitors to use and take with them.

COVID Protocols: The VMFA on the Road Artmobile is following these protocols:
*Not requiring visitors to wear masks on the artmobile
*Have a maximum of 15-20 persons on board at the same time
*There’s no time limit on general visits
*30-minute school tour group visits
*Hand sanitizer will be available
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DROP-IN VISITORS
Drop-in visitors can view the Artmobile for free on Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12, 2024 at times when school groups are not booked, see below (BOOKED and OPEN FOR DROP-IN VISITORS times will be marked as such).
Drop-ins are also welcome Friday, September 13–Sunday, September 15 (see open times below) because the Artmobile will be just outside the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival gates, but entry into the festival footprint requires a BRRR 2024 wristband.
Take an art break! Bring your friends, family, kids, grandma, or whoever you know who would enjoy a wonderful art experience and drop-in on the VMFA on the Road Artmobile. This is a FREE opportunity!
The Artmobile will be closed Wednesday and Thursday 11:50am–12:50pm for lunch.

The VMFA on the Road team gives a warm welcome to the new and improved Artmobile. Inside is the exciting new exhibiton, Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist’s Guide to Emotions. The exhibition includes works from the museum’s permanent collection and the first video installation in an artmobile exhibition: “First Landings,” which was created by Ethan Brown (Pamunkey) and Federico Cuatlacuatl (Nahua, born in Coapan, Cholula, Mexico), and recently debuted to critical acclaim at the Pocahontas Reframed Film Festival at VMFA. Photo by Sandra Sellars © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
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School Information
School groups can visit the Artmobile on Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12, 2024. This is a FREE visit!
The VMFA on the Road Artmobile will be open to middle school, high school, and college groups on September 11–12, 2024. A field trip to the Artmobile exposes students to multiple art mediums and concepts using visual thinking, sketching, and writing. Admission is free to the Artmobile.
Several time slots are available for school group visits, and schools can book multiple/consecutive time slots if needed (please get in touch if you need another time than the ones shown below, e.g. later in the day):
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
10:00–10:30am BOOKED
10:40–11:10am BOOKED
11:20–11:50am BOOKED
11:50–12:50pm CLOSED FOR LUNCH
12:50–1:20pm BOOKED
1:30–2:00pm
2:10–2:40pm
2:50–3:20pm
3:30–4:00pm
4:30–5:00pm BOOKED
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
10:00–10:30am BOOKED
10:40–11:10am BOOKED
11:20–11:50am BOOKED
11:50am–12:50pm CLOSED FOR LUNCH
12:50–1:20pm BOOKED
1:30–2:00pm BOOKED
2:10–2:40pm BOOKED
2:50–3:20pm
3:30–4:00pm
Educators can pick from a variety of learning activities for their student visit. You can access Artmobile educational resources HERE.
A tour of the Artmobile is a 30-minute experience. An optimum visit has 10–12 students (with one adult); larger groups will be divided into groups of 20 (with two adults). Teachers can also add a FREE guided tour of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s special exhibit Songwriter (also a 30-minute experience) to your visit to the Artmobile. This exhibit is a wonderful companion to the Artmobile experience, giving students and teachers the chance to learn about the artists who have written the soundtrack of country music. If you would like to also book a tour of the museum’s permanent exhibits, our usual student group admission applies.
For further information about a VMFA on the Road Artmobile experience for your students and to book a tour, please contact Hollie Moody at hmoody@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org, providing the following information: Date of tour, preferred time of tour, name of school, teacher’s name, grade level, and size of group.
Bookings must be made by September 3, 2024.

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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Information
Festivalgoers can visit the Artmobile on Friday, September 13– Sunday, September 15, 2024
The VMFA on the Road Artmobile will be free and open to festivalgoers on September 13—15, 2024, just one more way to make your Bristol Rhythm experience even more special! A fun arts & crafts table will also be set up outside the Artmobile for anyone who needs a creativity break!
The Artmobile will be open at the following times:
Friday, September, 13: 1:00–7:00pm
Saturday, September 14: 9:00am–6:00pm (closed 1:00–2:00pm for lunch)
Sunday, September 15: 10:00am–5:00pm (closed 1:00–2:00pm for lunch)

Join in the NEA Big Read 2024!
2024-10-01 08:00 - 2024-11-22 17:00 | VA
As part of the NEA Big Read, partner organizations Bristol Public Library, Washington County Public Library, and Birthplace of Country Music Museum are offering a full schedule of NEA Big Read programs at all three sites – and beyond – during October and November 2024, including book discussions, a film screening, writing and family history workshops, author talks, an art exhibit, and a storytelling evening!
All of the NEA Big Read programs and events are FREE and open to the public. Check out the many offerings below:
Ongoing: Reading Lists
Check out these reading lists created by the Bristol Public Library to go along with the NEA Big Read’s theme of “Where We Live”: Coal, Music, and Literature.
October 1, all day: Book Giveaway
Pick up a FREE copy of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol Public Library, or Washington County Public Library. The museum is also giving away copies of the companion book Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani. Limit of one copy of each book per person while supplies last.
October 3, 2:00pm: Family History Workshop @ Washington County Public Library (Abingdon)
Is your family from around here? Learn about local family history at WCPL’s Exploring Your Roots workshop.
October 4, 1:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Mendota Branch Library (First Friday Book Club)
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
October 4, 6:30pm: Screening of The Library that Dolly Built @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Enjoy a screening of The Library that Dolly Built, a documentary about the creation and impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The film screening is free and open to the public, but a donation at the door of a book (or books) aimed at 3rd-5th grade children is suggested. All books will be given to the Appalachian Literacy Initiative, based in Bristol, TN-VA.
Please RSVP HERE.
October 17, 2:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Washington County Public Library
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
October 19, 1:00pm: Author Discussion with Ron Rash via Zoom (Bristol Public Library)
Join us for a discussion of Burning Bright with author Ron Rash and learn more about his work and inspiration as an Appalachian author. You can either watch with a group at the Bristol Public Library or watch from home via Zoom; if you choose the latter, please register HERE.
October 19, 2:30pm: Re-Screening of The Library that Dolly Built @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Back by popular demand! Enjoy a re-screening of The Library that Dolly Built, a documentary about the creation and impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The film screening is free and open to the public, but a donation at the door of a book (or books) aimed at 3rd-5th grade children is suggested. All books will be given to the Appalachian Literacy Initiative, based in Bristol, TN-VA. Register HERE.
October 21, 5:30pm: Art Journaling @ Bristol Public Library
Respond creatively, playfully, and thoughtfully to the theme of “where we live” with poetic prompts and inquiries. Then express yourself in color, paint, stencils, markers, and collage, with easy techniques to enhance your personal piece. Feel free to bring: your favorite tote of creative tools: tape, scissors, glue, markers, papers, coloring supplies, ribbon, etc., or just show up and we provide the rest. There is limited space for 20 participants; to register, please email rita@bristol-library.org.
October 22, 10:30am: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Bristol Public Library (Nevermore Book Club)
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
October 23, 4:00pm: Snail Mail Studio Creative Writing Workshop @ Washington County Public Library
Learn the art of writing letters and decorate your own piece of snail mail to send to friends and family! Participants will be writing letters about life in Appalachia inspired by the book Same Sun Here by Silas House and Neela Vaswani.
October 24, 6:00pm: Author Discussion with Silas House via Zoom (Bristol Public Library)
Join us for a discussion of Same Sun Here with author Silas House and learn more about his work and inspiration as an Appalachian author. You can either watch with a group at the Bristol Public Library or watch from home via Zoom; if you choose the latter, please register HERE.
October 28, 5:00pm: Family History Workshop @ Bristol Public Library
Is your family from around here? Learn about local family history at BPL’s Exploring Your Roots workshop.
October 29, 4:00pm: Junk Journaling Workshop @ Washington County Public Library
Boost your creativity, preserve everyday memories, and promote sustainability with your own junk journal! Junk journals showcase your surroundings, from pieces of nature to library receipts. We’ll provide notebooks, recycled materials, and plenty of inspiration to get you started on your junk journaling journey.
October 29, 6:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Glade Spring Branch Library (Passawatami Book Club)
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
October 31, 6:00pm: Andrew Finn Magill: Connections between Irish, Scottish, and Appalachian Fiddling @ Bristol Public Library
Andrew Finn Magill returns to Bristol Public Library for an exploration of the similarities and differences in different styles of fiddling – with a spooky twist!
November 2, 7:00pm: Hoot and Holler Storytelling @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Experience live storytelling by local and regional folks, sharing tall tales, family stories, and more based on the NEA Big Read’s theme of “Where We Live.” Please RSVP for this free event HERE!
November 4, 6:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Bristol Public Library
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
November 6, 6:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion @ Bristol Public Library
Join other readers in a lively discussion of the NEA Big Read book Burning Bright by Ron Rash.
November 7, 5:30pm: Voices of Appalachia Creative Writing Workshop @ Bristol Public Library
This workshop will discuss setting and voice and how they work together to create a scene. It will also point out the resources available at the library for writing Appalachian stories (e.g., old newspapers, genealogy records, etc.).
November 12, 2:00pm: Shadowbox Craft Workshop @ Bristol Public Library
Participants will create a shadowbox that represents the theme “where we live” using small personal items along with items made with the Glowforge. Participation is limited to 10; to register, please email Rita HERE.
November 16, 1:00pm: Art Exhibit: The Minnie Ma Scyphers Collection @ Hayters Gap Branch Library
View a display by local folk artist Minnie Ma Scyphers, enjoy refreshments, visit the Hayters Gap branch library, and explore “Where We Live.”
November 21, 12:00pm: Burning Bright Book Discussion and Author Interview on Radio Bristol Book Club
Tune into Radio Bristol Book Club on the dial at 100.1 FM, streaming online, or via the Radio Bristol app for a discussion of Burning Bright and an interview with author Ron Rash.

NEA Big Read: Book Giveaway
2024-10-01 10:00 - 18:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public (limited numbers available, one per patron)
As part of the NEA Big Read, the museum – along with partner organizations Bristol Public Library and Washington County Public Library – are giving away free copies of the community read book, Burning Bright by Ron Rash. The museum is also giving away copies of the program’s companion book, Same Sun Here by Neela Vaswani and Silas House.
Limited copies of each book are available so books will be given away on a first come, first served basis (one per patron).
You can use this link to see the full schedule of NEA Big Read programs at the museum, BPL, and WCPL during October and November 2024, including book discussions, a film screening, writing and family history workshops, author talks, and a storytelling evening!
About the NEA Big Read
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read—a partnership with Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goals of the NEA Big Read are to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

Museum Story Time - "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: A Halloween Book for Kids" by Linda D. Williams
2024-10-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
Time: 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: The Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public
Join us in the museum’s Learning Center for our monthly Museum Story Time 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 storybook, a tune or two by WBCM Radio Bristol show host Ella Patrick, and a related activity or coloring sheet. This month we will be doing a fun pumpkin craft!
About “ The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: A Halloween Book for Kids”
“A splendiferous Halloween story.” —The Horn Book
“A great purchase for Halloween or any time of year.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.
A classic and fun Halloween read-aloud story that neither you nor the kids in your life will be able to resist, whether curled up at home or in a classroom or library setting.
About the Author

Linda D. Williams is a writer with expertise and experience in the fields of science, medicine, and space. She is a former lead scientist and technical writer for NASA, McDonnell Douglas, Wyle Labs, and Rice University. She writes for children and young adults, mainly about science, nature, and most recently 3D printing. A microbiologist by training in the biomedical sciences division at NASA, Williams also writes science and technology articles and books in easy to understand language so everyone can enjoy science. She also writes fiction as Quinn Cole.

Film Screening: The Library that Dolly Built
2024-10-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Friday, October 4, 2024
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free and open to the public (suggested book(s) donation, see details below)
RSVP HERE
Join us on Friday, October 4, 6:30 p.m. for a screening of The Library that Dolly Built, a documentary about the creation and impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
The Library that Dolly Built—directed and produced by journalism professor and director of Land Grant Films Nick Geidner and narrated by Danica McKellar—goes behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s literacy-focused non-profit, Imagination Library, to show how one of the most famous and beloved performers in the world has developed an efficient and effective program for spreading the love of reading. The 2020 film celebrates all the people who helped make Dolly’s dream come true and is 1 hour 30 minutes long.
This program is part of the NEA Big Read initiative themed on “Where We Live”; it is a partnership between the Bristol Public Library, Washington County (VA) Public Library, and the museum. The film screening is free and open to the public, but a donation at the door of a book (or books) aimed at 3rd-5th grade children is suggested. All books will be given to the Appalachian Literacy Initiative, based in Bristol, TN-VA.
You can use this link to see the full schedule of NEA Big Read programs at the museum, BPL, and WCPL during October and November 2024, including a book giveaway, book discussions, writing and family history workshops, author talks, and a storytelling evening!
Check out the trailer for The Library that Dolly Built:

About the NEA Big Read
The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read—a partnership with Arts Midwest—broadens our understanding of ourselves and our neighbors through the power of a shared reading experience. The goals of the NEA Big Read are to inspire meaningful conversations, celebrate local creativity, elevate a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and build stronger connections in each community.

Educator Workshop: Virginia History Day
2024-10-05 10:00 - 14:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
FULL! If you are interested in participating, you can reach out to Sam Florer to be put on the waiting list.
Date: Saturday, October 5, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. EST
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: Free (space limited to 20)
REGISTER HERE
Join educators from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Virginia Humanities, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum to engage with historical thinking skills through the project-based learning program Virginia History Day and the education resources of all three institutions.
Resources for grades 4-12 will be the focus of this event, but all Virginia grade levels and social studies educators, including from homeschools and private schools, are encouraged to attend.
This free, in-person workshop will be held on Saturday, October 5 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Wy, Bristol, VA 24201.
Space is limited to the first 20 registrants, so register today! Participation in the workshop includes:

Coffee and light breakfast
$75 stipend
Certificate of participation for CEU points

This workshop is sponsored in part by National Endowment for the Humanities and Virginia Humanities.
Email Sam Florer if you have any questions.
About Virginia History Day
Virginia History Day is the state affiliate of National History Day, a project-based learning program for students grades 4-12. This interdisciplinary research project helps students develop historical thinking and literacy skills while making the study of history engaging, relevant, and most of all, fun!

Speaker Sessions: Cam Collins on "Old Gods of Appalachia"
2024-10-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum (in-person); YouTube (virtual)
Cost: Free and open to the public
RSVP HERE
Just in time for “spooky season,” join us for our October Speaker Sessions with Cam Collins, co-creator of the Old Gods of Appalachia, an eldritch horror fiction podcast set in an Alternate Appalachia, a world where these mountains were never meant to be inhabited. This world feels eerily similar to the hills and hollers we’ve grown up with, but there are some tell-tale differences. Names of towns and counties may be altered. Historical events slide forward or backward in time. And then, of course, there are the monsters… We will be talking to Cam about how she and her co-created built this Alternate Appalachia, the myths, legends, and folklore that inspired it, and so much more!
Please note: For those attending virtually via YouTube, the live stream will originate on the Radio Bristol YouTube channel after 6:50pm EST. If you load the channel page before 6:50pm, and the live stream does not automatically appear, please refresh the page after 6:50pm.
About Cam Collins
Cam Collins is a native of Wise, Virginia, where she cut her teeth on the creepy folklore of the region. A lover of all things that go bump in the night and dyed-in-the-wool spooky witch, Cam also produced and co-hosted Appalachian Arcana, a podcast featuring regional stories of folklore, true crime, cryptids, and other general weirdness. Before Old Gods of Appalachia took off, she provided graphic design and web development for numerous businesses in the Tri-Cities and beyond. She holds degrees in English (BA, University of Virginia at Wise) and Communication (MA, University of Georgia).

Old-Time Community Jam with ETSU
2024-10-12 14:00 - 17:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Time: 2-5 p.m. EST
Location: Learning Center, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: FREE EVENT
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, in partnership with the East Tennessee State University Old-Time Music Program, hosts a gathering of local musicians for a country jam session focusing on country, old-time and blues music. 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 Old-Time Community Jam is scheduled for 2-5 p.m., serving as a great warm-up for Saturday night gigs. Musicians are asked to bring their own instruments.
The jams are free and open to the public. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Those just interested in attending as a spectator are also welcome at no charge.
For more information call 423-573-1927.

Songwriters in the Round: Linda and David Lay, Sandy Shortridge, and Rafe Van Hoy
2024-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA, 24201, United States
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Cost: $15.00 + tax/fees
BUY TICKETS HERE
Join us for a “Songwriter in the Round” evening at the museum on Thursday, October 17, 7:00 p.m. This event is in partnership with the Crooked Road and will feature three songwriter-musician acts from the Bristol area and the surrounding region: Linda and David Lay, Sandy Shortridge, and Rafe Van Hoy. Each artist/act will perform 3-4 songs in a “round robin,” while also sharing stories about the songwriting craft, their inspirations, and career. Audience members will enjoy great music and gain an insight into the craft of songwriting.
Attendees are invited to visit the museum’s special exhibit Songwriter Musician before the performance. Artist Rafe Van Hoy is featured in the exhibit, and his guitar and several items of memorabilia are on display.
This event is complementary programming to our current special exhibit Songwriter Musician: The Photographs of Ed Rode, on display through December 31, 2024.
Special thanks to the Crooked Road for their sponsorship of songwriters Linda and David Lay and Sandy Shortridge, and to the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation for their support of the Songwriter Musician exhibit and its complementary programming.
About Linda and David Lay
Bluegrass singer and bassist Linda Clayman Lay, better known as Linda Lay, grew up in Clayman Valley, a small community named after her family outside of Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia. She spent her early years with Janette Carter at the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, Virginia. Linda performed with her family band before starting her own group, Appalachian Trail.
Linda met her husband, guitarist and singer David Lay, and they formed Springfield Exit together with David McLaughlin. Linda has toured the United States with the masters of the Steel String Guitar and was its featured vocalist and bassist. In addition, Linda is a master artist in traditional singing for the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities.
Together with banjo player Sammy Shelor, Linda recorded Taking the Crooked Road Home for the Virginia Folklife Program under the direction of Jon Lohman. Linda has performed with singers across several genres of music, including Vern Gosdin, Carl Jackson, Bruce Hornsby, Piedmont blues singer John Cephas, and master of the telecaster, Bill Kirchen. In the early 2000s, Linda recorded several albums for Cracker Barrel’s Heritage Series CDs.
About Sandy Shortridge
Sandy Shortridge, a guitarist and exceptional baritone singer, is from Buchanan County in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia. She began her musical career at 10 years old and is well known after performing on many area stages and beyond throughout the years. A songwriter and master storyteller, her original songs capture the cultural traditions of the region and can bring tears or a smile with equal ability. During her performances, the stories and her experiences are shared in her music in an almost magical way. No other performer in the region captures the heart, mind, and soul of the region’s people.
Shortridge has made multiple recordings, which feature her moving compositions in carefully crafted arrangements and presentation. She is also featured on a two-CD compilation recording of 50 current artists from the Crooked Road region called A Treasury of American Music, and her original songs have been recorded by numerous other artists.
Shortridge is also a radio broadcaster with her husband, Big Al Wheetley, and they can be heard on Radio Bristol’s “The Big Al & Sandy Show” on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m.
About Rafe Van Hoy
Rafe Van Hoy began his music career as a songwriter, landing his first publishing contract at 17. In the next seven years he would become one of Nashville’s new emerging songwriters with 10 number one songs and as many top 10 singles, along with nearly 200 cuts by other artists. In one three-year period, he had between 50 and 60 songs cut each year. During this early time Rafe also worked as a session musician on many hit records, and then began adding producer to his list of credits, with songwriting always as his first passion.
Rafe has been active and successful as both writer and producer over four decades with credits in several categories and genres of music, including a Grammy Nomination, 11 BMI One Million Airplay Awards, 3 BMI Two Million Airplay Awards and beyond. His songs have been recorded by George Jones and Tammy Wynette (including the classic “Golden Ring”), the Oak Ridge Boys, Michael Martin Murphy (“What’s Forever For”), John Conlee, Patti Loveless, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire, Leann Rimes, Fleetwood Mac, Diana Ross, Issac Hayes, Paul Carrack, and a long list of others, including Trick Daddy (“I’m A Thug”). His songs have been on records selling well over 150 million copies. Rafe was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023.
Rafe loves working in all styles of music and continues to stay current creating music in many formats.
