Giving Tuesday 2025

December 1, 2025

Dear Friends of the Birthplace of Country Music,

On this Giving Tuesday, people all over the world are coming together to support the causes that matter most to them. Here in Bristol, we’re celebrating a milestone that’s especially close to our hearts: 10 years of Radio Bristol.

Ten years ago, the Birthplace of Country Music flipped the switch on a new way to share our story, and Radio Bristol was created to carry on the music heritage of our city.

Since that first broadcast, Radio Bristol has become more than a radio station. It’s a storyteller, a stage, and a bridge.

It connects listeners near and far to the roots of country music.
It amplifies local and regional artists who might not otherwise be heard.
It invites people into the larger story of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festival.

This year, our Year-End Campaign tells the story of Radio Bristol’s 10th anniversary, shining a light on all that your support makes possible. When you give to BCM, you’re not just powering a radio signal. You’re helping to:

Preserve Bristol’s history through our museum and collections
Share our story with the world every day through Radio Bristol
Celebrate live music and community at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion

On this Giving Tuesday, we’re asking you to sing with us to keep that circle of music, memory, and community unbroken.

Please take a moment to watch the story unfold.

Your generosity keeps Bristol’s story playing: in the museum, on the streets during the festival, and across the airwaves every single day.

Thank you for being part of this circle.

On this Giving Tuesday, we’re celebrating 10 years of Radio Bristol and the community that keeps Bristol’s story alive.

birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/donate

Your gift powers the museum that preserves our history, the festival that fills our streets with music, and the radio that shares our sound with the world.

🎙️ On Air with the Birthplace of Country Music: Where the Circle Remains Unbroken

Donate today at birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/donate which allows you to make a donation to the Birthplace of Country Music. For more information on the benefits of joining our 1927 Society (annual giving), Unbroken Circle Society (cumulative giving recognition) or Legacy Society (bequests and other forms of planned giving) please visit our Support & Join page.

Songwriter Musician Exhibit Talk with Ed Rode and Don Henry

October 1, 2024

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Time: 7 p.m. ET

Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Cost: Free and open to the public

RSVP HERE

Join us for this conversation with nationally renowned photographer Ed Rode and his Grammy-winning songwriter-musician friend, Don Henry, as they share stories and music related to Ed’s exhibit Songwriter Musician and the craft of songwriting on Saturday, November 9 at 7 p.m. at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Attendees are invited to explore the exhibit before the program begins at 7 p.m.; a curator will be on hand to answer questions around 6:30 p.m.

This program will also be live-streamed. For those attending virtually, 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.

Read the article in Billboard Magazine:
Ed Rode Brings Decades of Country Royalty and Industry Insiders Into Focus in New Photography Book

About Ed Rode

Ed Rode (pronounced Road-ay) is a nationally recognized photographer based in Nashville. Over the course of his four-decade long career, he has shot everything from sports, movie, tv, and music legends to travel destinations and restaurants. He grew up in the Midwest and moved to Nashville in 1990 as a staff photographer for the Nashville Banner, an afternoon daily paper. Ed soon built a reputation as a photographer with a storyteller’s eye and a historian’s instincts. His work has appeared in numerous national publications, the Nashville International Airport, the legendary Bluebird Cafe, and as album covers for artists such as Willie Nelson, The Chicks, and Peter Frampton. He has also passed on his skills to the next generation while serving as an instructor or lecturer at Vanderbilt University, O’More College, Western Kentucky University, and Northwestern University. He is currently a full-time professor at Murray State University.

About Don Henry

Grammy winner Don Henry’s songs have been recorded by some of the music industry’s greatest artists, including Ray Charles, Conway Twitty, Patti Page, Blake Shelton, and Miranda Lambert, and he’s shared the stage with performers as different as Joey Ramone and Keith Urban.

His songs – filled with wit and wisdom – are renowned, from the hilarious “B.F.D.” to the biker lullaby “Harley” to the poignant tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., “Beautiful Fool.” Don’s country classic “Where’ve You Been” won a Grammy, and Kathy Mattea’s version of this piece won Song of the Year honors from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, and Nashville Songwriters Association International. It was the first song in country music to win all four honors in the same year!

About Songwriter Musician

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

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

East Tennessee Fiddlers and Their Fiddles

1927 and 1928 Bristol Sessions Collections History Instruments

September 14, 2023

Posted on September 14, 2023December 6, 2023 by Julia Underkoffler

By Julia Underkoffler, Collection Specialist at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

Fiddle me this: What’s the difference between a violin and a fiddle? One has strings, and the other has strangs!

East Tennessee is known for its music, and in particular, it was home to several well-known and influential old-time and bluegrass fiddlers. The museum is fortunate to have three fiddles on loan that were owned and played by Charlie Bowman, Edd Vance, and Benny Sims, all of which are currently on special display in our permanent exhibits. Instruments – and other objects – like these help us to tell the stories of the music, people, and cultural heritage that make our region so special.

Fiddlin’ Charlie Bowman was born on July 30, 1889 in Gray Station, Tennessee. Bowman started playing music from a young age – he started recording as early as 1908 on a neighbor’s Edison Cylinder phonograph, and by the early 1920s, he was regularly being hired to play at square dances and political rallies. When Bowman started to enter fiddling contests around the area, other local fiddlers got quite mad because Bowman just kept on winning!

A black and white image of Charlie Bowman. He is seated on a small bench and holding a fiddle in his lap. He is wearing a collared shirt. The image is old and not completely clear, his face is slightly fuzzy. — *Charlie Bowman, from the Lewis Deneumoustier Collection, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University*

In 1928, when the Columbia record label came to Johnson City, Tennessee, to do a location recording session, Bowman and several other musicians, including his daughters, recorded six songs. He also traveled the East Coast vaudeville circuit with his daughters and his band – in 1931 alone, they played 249 days of the year. Bowman was later hired to perform by B. Carroll Reece, who served as representative for the first district of Tennessee. They stayed lifelong friends, and Bowman even wrote “Reece Rag” for Congressman Reece. Alongside his solo career, Bowman was also a member of the Hill Billies and the Blue Ridge Ramblers.

The museum has two Bowman family instruments on loan: Charlie’s fiddle and his daughter Jenny’s accordion, which is currently on display in the museum’s special exhibit, I’ve Endured Women in Old-Time Music.

Edd Vance – more commonly known as Red – was born on November 19, 1923 in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Red became recognized in East Tennessee for his old-time fiddling skill, and he performed at The Down Home, a well-known musical hub in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Red followed in the footsteps of his father, Dudley Vance, who was born on March 12, 1880 in Bluff City, Tennessee. During the second week of May 1925, Dudley played at the first Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention, held at a local high school. This event featured famous fiddlers Charlie Bowman, Fiddlin’ John Carson, Fiddlin’ Cowan Powers, Charlie Powers, and G. B. Grayson. Dudley famously beat everyone with his rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Two years later, Dudley and his brother traveled to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to record three records for Okeh Records, under the band name Vance’s Tennessee Breakdowners. These were the last professional recordings done by Dudley. The museum has Edd Vance’s fiddle and several other items related to Dudley and Edd Vance on loan from their descendants.

*Edd “Red” Vance’s fiddle shows the wear of a lifetime of skilled fiddling. On loan from the descendants of Edd and Dudley Vance. © Birthplace of Country Music; photographer: Ashli Linkous*

Benny Sims was born on August 4, 1924 in Sevier County, Tennessee. Sims was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed in Foggia, Italy during World War II. While in Italy, Sims played with the U.S. Air Force Orchestra. He played fiddle with the Morris Brothers, but he is best known for his time performing with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. Sims recorded with Flatt & Scruggs over 25 times as part of the Bluegrass Boys, including on their famous “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”

*The cover of a music book, “Fiddle Favorite” by Benny Sims, pictured.*

After Sims left Flatt & Scruggs, he went to work for WNOX in Knoxville and WJHL-TV in Johnson City until he retired in the early 1960s. When he retired from the music industry he worked at Life & Casualty Insurance Company and gave private fiddle lessons. Just months before Sims’ death in 1995, the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance held a tribute to him at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Today, East Tennessee State University awards the Benny Sims Scholarship to one Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Student each year.

This fiddle is on loan from Benny Sims’ family and is believed to be the one that he played on the “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” recording. On loan from the descendants of Benny Sims; © Birthplace of Country Music Museum; photographer: Ashli Linkous

Round Two: Ashli’s Top 5 Bristol Rhythm Must-Sees

Festival Music & Songs

September 4, 2023

Posted on September 4, 2023December 6, 2023 by Leah Prater

By Ashli Linkous, Marketing Specialist & Photographer

It’s almost time for my second festival as a staff member here at the Birthplace of Country Music, so here’s year two of Ashli’s “Must Sees” at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, coming up this week on September 8-10th, 2023!

Larkin Poe

When I heard that Larkin Poe was on this year’s lineup, I was stoked! I grew up listening to rock music, so I’ve always had a soft spot for anything rock and roll. The sister duo’s unique sound is a melting pot of blues, gritty southern rock, gospel, and even bluegrass and old-time country music. It’s not surprising that the sisters draw from such genres as bluegrass and old-time – you may remember when the sisters were in an acoustic trio called The Lovell Sisters. Personal favorites from Larkin Poe are “Kick the Blues,” “Mississippi”, and “Deep Stays Down.” They headline Cumberland Square Park Stage on Saturday, September 9th at 10:00 PM! Don’t miss it! This show will be such a vibe with the atmosphere of the Cumberland Square Park stage lights at night!

Sons of the East

I learned about Australian based indie-folk band Sons of the East when they made their way through Bristol in 2022. They played at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino last October and came to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for a spur of the moment tour the next day. I’ve been hooked ever since! For fans of Bristol Rhythm alumni such as CAAMP and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, this band is a must see! Trust me, you’ll be bragging about seeing them at Bristol Rhythm in a year or two. We are lucky enough to have them play twice for us: opening the State Street Stage on Friday, September 8th at 5:00 PM and on the Piedmont Stage on Saturday, September 9th at 3:45 PM! Personal favorites are “On My Way,” “Millionaire,” and “Into the Sun.”

Three young men are posing and smiling for a promotion image of their band. The man on the far left is smiling and wearing a white button up shirt and jeans. The man in the middle is wearing a brown shirt and jeans and leaning down towards the camera, his hair is in his face. The man on the far right is leaning against a yellow wall behind the other two men, and wearing a blue button up shirt with a white tee shirt with the text “NYC” on the shirt. — *Australian indie folk trio formed in 2011 by Nic Johnston, Dan Wallage, and Jack Rollins.*

Arcy Drive

If you loved Briston Maroney’s Sunday set (or missed out and heard about it later) at last year’s festival, then you have to add Arcy Drive to your list! This four piece band has dubbed their music “attic rock,” and have racked up accolades such as Luck Reunion’s Southwest Air “Artist on the Rise” winner. They recently embarked on their first sold out headlining tour, so it’s going to be awesome to have this band make a stop in Bristol before they absolutely blow up, because they definitely will! Personal favorites are “Roll My Stone,” “Smoke & Fire,” and their newest release “Wicked Styley.” They play Cumberland Square park Stage on Saturday, September 9th at 4:00 PM.

A black and white image of 4 young men in the back of a vehicle. The men are all smiling and have their arms around one another. The men are wearing t-shirts and hoodies. — *Promotional image of the band Arcy Drive.*

HAPPY LANDING

If you are in search of a feelgood band that will get you on your feet, then look no further! Perhaps the band I am most excited to see at this year’s festival, HAPPY LANDING is a folk rock band that hails from Oxford, Mississippi. If you like bands such as The 502s, The Head And The Heart, or Oliver Hazard, or The Backseat Lovers, you should make plans to be at Cumberland Square Park on Saturday, September 9th at 2:00 PM. Personal favorites are “Love Your Guts,” “October,” and “Carry On, Carry On.”

Five people are wearing blue, or white, or orange jumpsuits and are jumping in mid air on a beach. — *Promotional image of HAPPY LANDING.*

Holy Roller

Back in July I got a taste of Richmond, Virginia based band Holy Roller at our Road to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion show and I’ve been listening nonstop ever since. Their energetic live show blew me away. Their fans in the Richmond music scene showed up in droves and sang every word to their songs. The strength of their local fan base felt very similar to the momentum 49 Winchester was gaining right here in Southwest Virginia back in 2021. I feel that Holy Roller will likely find a similar path to success in the coming months/years. With a sound combining southern rock, Americana, folk, and country, personal favorites are “Flat Track Fire,” “Honey Where’d You Sleep,” and “Muscle Up.” They play for us twice: Friday, September 8th at 6:00 PM on the Lauderdale Stage and Saturday, September 9th at 3:00 PM on 6th Street. I would make plans to see both.

A fun group image of the band Holler Roller. The group consists of six men and one woman, they are all sitting on a porch with their arms around each other. The man on the far left is holding a white dog in his lap. Everyone is wearing colorful clothing and smiling and laughing. — *Promotional image of Holler Roller.*

You can buy tickets to Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion right now at a special rate! Our prices rise at the festival gates, so buy early and save!! We also offer discounted weekend tickets for groups of 10+ at $100 each! Visit BristolRhythm.com for more information.

Ashli Linkous is a Marketing Specialist & Photographer at the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. and an avid music lover!