Home of the 1927 Bristol Sessions
Located in Bristol, TN-VA, the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music honors the legendary recordings, which introduced country music to the mainstream, through immersive experiences at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol.
BUY TICKETS
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, our museum tells the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the influential recordings that sparked the “big bang of country music," and continue to inspire the music of today.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Set in the heart of beautiful Historic Downtown Bristol, our festival is a grand celebration of our region's rich music culture, offering the very best in traditional and progressive roots music across many genres.
WBCM Radio Bristol
Broadcasting and streaming from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, WBCM Radio Bristol specializes in vintage and modern roots music, with global access to its original and syndicated programming 24/7.
More to Explore
The Museum Store offers the finest in regionally sourced, handcrafted artisan items, music-themed gifts and décor, books, CDs, Bristol-centric souvenirs, and exclusive Birthplace of Country Music merchandise in-store and online.
Why is Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia known as the birthplace of country music? On October 12, 1998, U.S. Congress designated Bristol as the “birthplace of country music.”
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Logan Fritz
-
Instrumental History: Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers Martin 000-45 Guitar
-
Radio Bristol’s Top Albums of 2022
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Florencia & the Feeling
-
Radio Bristol Book Club: Songteller – My Life in Lyrics
-
The Root of It: George Jackson on Ed Haley
-
A Big Festival ‘Thank You!’: Gratitude Playlist Included!
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Ed Snodderly
-
Radio Bristol Book Club: Hear My Sad Story: The True Tales That Inspired “Stagolee,” “John Henry,” and Other Traditional American Folk Songs
-
The Root of It: Brad Kolodner on Clyde Davenport
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Anya Hinkle
-
Radio Bristol Book Club: The Carter Family – Don’t Forget This Song
-
Tintype Photography: A Bridge from the Past to the Present
-
The Root of It: Nora Brown on Lee Sexton
-
From The Vault: The 1927 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Shay Martin Lovette
-
Radio Bristol Book Club: Weaver’s Daughter
-
Radio Bristol Spotlight: Adam Bolt
-
Radio Bristol Book Club: Sharyn McCrumb’s Appalachia
-
Will the Circle Be Unbroken? A Personal Commentary on the Cycle of Various Changes in Country Music
-
June Carter Cash: A Life in Country Music
-
Spook Season: Graveyard Hunts for Bristol Sessions Artists
-
Songwriting with Ella Patrick
-
From the Vault: Postcards
-
Reflections on Ten Years of Docent Tours
