Awards & Recognition
2023 Honors
2024
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Exhibitions: Award of Excellence, Blockbuster
Women in Old-Time Music Special Exhibit
- Educational Programming: Award of Excellence, School Programming
Educator Fellowships - Audio-Visual Exhibit Component: Award of Excellence, A/V Element
Women in Old-Time Music Special Exhibit - Special or Novelty Item: Award of Excellence
Women in Old-Time Music Merchandise - Special Recognition
Women in Old-Time Music PR & Social Media Campaigns - Digital Media: Award of Excellence, Podcast
Instrumental History with Clint Holley, Episode 1
“Thoughts & Anecdotes on Jimmie Rodgers’ Martin 00045 Blue Yodel Guitar”
USA Today
10Best Reader’s Choice Travel Awards
- Best Music Festival
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Voted #2 - Best Music Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Voted #8
American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee
Addy Awards
- Best of Show – Integrated Advertising Campaign, Regional/National, Consumer
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Advertising Campaign - Gold – Integrated Advertising Campaign, Regional/National, Consumer
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Advertising Campaign - Gold – Sales: Marketing Packaging
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Wristband Mailer - Silver – Social Media Campaign
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Silver – Out-Of-Home Installation
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Modular Booth - Silver – Illustration Series
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Illustration Series - Silver – Integrated Brand Identity Campaign
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Branding Campaign
2023
Tripadvisor
Travelers’ Choice 2023
- Travelers’ Choice Winner 2023
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
East Tennessee Historical Society
Awards of Excellence
- Lifetime Achievement
Leah Ross, Executive Director of Advancement at Birthplace of Country Music - Community History Leadership
Birthplace of Country Music - Teaching Excellence
Head Curator, Dr. Rene Rodgers, & Birthplace of Country Music Museum for museum-based lesson plans for educators - Project Excellence
Birthplace of Country Music for 95th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions Programming
USA Today
10Best Readers’ Choice
- Best Music Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Voted #6 - Best Music Festival
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Voted #3
Virginia Living
Best of Virginia 2023
- Best Museum, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Best Festival, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Bristol Herald Courier
Best of Bristol 2023
- Best Art Gallery/Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Best Festival (Music, Art, Fair)
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
2022
Southwest Virginia Tourism Awards
- Outstanding Festival of the Year
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best PR Campaign
20th Anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
- Best Video Series for an Event
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Celebrating 20 Years in 2021 - Outstanding Volunteer of the Year
Sally Bolling
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Lifetime Achievement
Leah Ross, BCM Executive Director of Advancement - Pinnacle Award, Event of the Year
20th Anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
- Pinnacle Award, Long Video
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Celebrating 20 Years in 2021 - Pinnacle Award, Agency of the Year
Victory Lap Media, Nominated by Birthplace of Country Music
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Temporary Exhibit
The Way We Worked Supplementary Display
- Award of Excellence, Educational Programming
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Educator Lesson Plans - Award of Excellence, Publications: Newsletter
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Educator Newsletter
USA Today
10Best Readers’ Choice
- Best Pop Culture Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Voted #3
Virginia Living Magazine
Best of Virginia 2022
- Best Festival, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Museum, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2021
USA TODAY
10Best Readers’ Choice
- Best Pop Culture Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Voted #1
Tennessee Arts Commission
Tennessee Governor’s Arts Leadership Award
- Birthplace of Country Music
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Educational Programming
Museum at Home webpage (with Real Folk special exhibit virtual tour)
- Award of Excellence, Special Recognition
Infectious Disease Prevention and Safety Plan - Award of Excellence, Publications: Newsletter
Volunteer Newsletter
- Award of Excellence, Podcast
Museum Talk with Rene & Scotty
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Attraction of the Year
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Pinnacle Award, Best Virtual Event
Celebrate Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Live Stream Weekend - Pinnacle Award, Best Virtual Series
Radio Bristol Book Club - Pinnacle Award, Best Long Video
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Celebrating 20 Years
Bristol Herald Courier
Best of Bristol 2021
- Best Art Gallery/Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2020
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Tourism Leader of the Year
Leah Ross, Executive Director - Pinnacle Award, Advertising and Promotions
Long Video – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2019 Recap - Pinnacle Award, Advertising and Promotions
Short Video – Ken Burns on the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Southeast Tourism Society
- Top 20 Festival & Event
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
YWCA Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia
- Tribute to Women
Dr. René Rodgers, Head Curator, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Educational Programming
Radio Bristol Book Club - Award of Excellence, Volunteerism
Alisa Dishner
Virginia Living Magazine
Best of Virginia 2020
- Best Non-Food Festival, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Museum, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2019
American Bus Association
- Best of the Best, Culture
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Educational Programming
For All the World to See: Visual Culture and the Struggle for Civil Rights - Award of Excellence, Special Event
90th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions special event
Bristol Herald Courier
Best of Bristol 2019
- Best Art Gallery/Museum – 2nd Place
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Discover Bristol
Pineapple Awards
For front line staff and volunteers who go above and beyond to enrich a visitor’s experience in Bristol
- Mary Geiger, Docent, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
- June Marshall, Asst. Mgr., Birthplace of Country Music Museum
- Terry Napier, Volunteer, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Southeast Tourism Society
- Top 20 Festival & Event
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Attraction of the Year
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Best Public Relations Campaign
The Long Road Festival (United Kingdom) - Advertising and Promotions: Rack Card
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Advertising and Promotions: TV Commercial
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion TV Spot - Pinnacle Award, Advertising and Promotions: Direct Mail
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Motorcoach Postcard
Virginia Living Magazine
Best of Virginia 2019
- Best Family Entertainment, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Music Venue, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Museum, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2018
Virginia Commission for the Arts
50 for 50 Arts Inspiration Awards
- Exemplary Programs & Pinnacle Events
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
Pinnacle Awards
- Attraction of the Year
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Best Event or Festival
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Advertising & Promotions
2017 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Video
Birthplace of Country Music - Marketing & Public Relations
90th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions
Birthplace of Country Music
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Web Page
Listen While I Tell: From Bristol’s Birthplace of Country Music & Beyond (Birthplace of Country Music Blog) - Award of Excellence, Special Event
90th Anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions Special Event
International Festivals & Events Association
Pinnacle Awards
- Best Event Video Promotion, Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Newspaper Insert/Supplement, Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Guide - Best Emergency Preparedness & Risk Management Plan for an Event, Silver
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Southeast Tourism Society
- Top 20 Festival & Event
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Southeast Tourism Society
Shining Example Awards
- Best Marketing Campaign
Birthplace of Country Music 90th Anniversary Celebration
Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, Travel Association
Charlie Buser Award
- Travel Attraction Employee of the Year
Tracey Childress, Executive Assistant, Birthplace of Country Music
Discover Bristol
- Pineapple Award
Tracey Childress, Executive Asssistant, Birthplace of Country Music
Virginia Living Magazine
Best of Virginia 2018
- Best Art Event, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Family Entertainment, Southwest Virginia
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Best Museum, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Best “Do Not Miss” Tourist Attraction, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol Herald Courier
Best of Bristol 2018
- Best Art Gallery/Museum
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2017
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Special Projects
“Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life On Stage” Special Exhibit, Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Pinnacle Award, Judges Choice
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Artist Reveal Video - Pinnacle Award, Advertising & Promotions
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Artist Reveal Video - Pinnacle Award, Public Relations (Shared with Bristol Motor Speedway & Bristol Convention & Visitors Bureau)
Integrated Public Relations for the World’s Largest College Football Game, Battle At Bristol - Merit Award, Advertising & Promotions
Birthplace of Country Music Branding Video - Merit Award, Advertising & Promotions
Birthplace of Country Music :30 Second Commercial
Southeast Festivals & Events Association
- Kaleidoscope Award: Silver
Best Social Media Marketing Campaign
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Best TV Ad or PSA
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Best TV Ad or PSA - Kaleidoscope Award: Bronze
Best Festival or Event Video
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Best Event Program
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Best Promotional Poster
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia
Addy Awards
- Out of Home Ambient Media—Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Poster - Elements of Advertising, Film & Video—Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Lineup Video - Sales & Marketing Sales Promotion Packaging—Silver
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Wristband Box
American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee
Addy Awards
- Film Video Sound, Online Film —Silver
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Video Campaign
2016
International Festival & Events Association
- Grand Pinnacle: Bronze
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Silver, Best Newspaper Insert/Supplement
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Guide
Southeast Tourism Society
- Top 20 Event/Best Festival
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
American Association for State and Local History
- Leadership in History Award
Permanent Exhibits
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Award of Excellence, Temporary Exhibits
“Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life on Stage” - Award of Excellence, A/V Exhibit Component
WBCM Radio Bristol station
Southeastern Museums Conference
Excellence in Exhibition Competition
- Gold Award of Excellence, Permanent Gallery Installations
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Northeast Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Best In Show
Interactive Exhibit at the Bristol Virginia Welcome Center - Pinnacle Award, Advertising & Promotions
Orthophonic Joy Music CD - Pinnacle Award, Public Relations
Public Relations Campaign for Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited Album Release - Pinnacle Award, Special Events
Economic Impact of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Pinnacle Award, Special Projects
Interactive Exhibit at the Bristol Virginia Welcome Center - Pinnacle Award, Volunteer
Keith Liskey
American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee
Addy Awards
- Video Any Length – Silver / Judges Choice
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion 2015 Recap Video - Product or Service Sales Promotion Campaign – Gold
Orthophonic Joy: Country Music History Born Again
American Advertising Federation of Southwest Virginia
Addy Awards
- Specialty Advertising – Gold
Birthplace of Country Music Unbroken Circle Jewelry Line - Out-of-Home Installation – Gold
Birthplace of Country Music Interactive Exhibit at Bristol Virginia Welcome Center
2015
British Guild of Travel Writers
- Highly Commended Award
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
International Festivals & Events Association
- Promotional Poster – Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Poster
American Bus Association
- Top 100 Events in North America
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Southeastern Museums Conference
- Technology Competition, Gallery Installations – Silver
Making Music Gallery, Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Technology Competition, Media Production – Gold
Greasy Strings Theater, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
American Alliance of Museums
- Publications Design Competition
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Grand Opening Poster
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Pinnacle Award, Best of Show
Grand Opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Pinnacle Award, Special Events
Grand Opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Pinnacle Award, Special Projects
Birthplace of Country Music – The Carter Family Lives and Legacies Special Exhibit - Pinnacle Award, Advertising and Promotions
Advertising and Promotions for the Birthplace of Country Music Campaign (2014) - Pinnacle Award, Public Relations Merit
Media Day – Grand Opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tennessee Association of Museums
- Past President’s Award of Excellence
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Award of Excellence, Permanent Exhibit
Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Award of Excellence, Temporary Exhibit
“Carter Family: Lives and Legacies” Special Exhibit - Award of Excellence, A/V Exhibit Component
Music Mixing Station, Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Award of Commendation, Films
Chapel Film, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Tri-Cities Associated General Contractors of Tennessee
- Project of the Year
BurWil Construction Company, Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Architect of the Project of the Year
Peyton Boyd, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee
Addy Awards
- Best of Show – Overall
Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Grand Opening Poster - Best of Show – Print
2014 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Campaign - Judge’s Choice
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Grand Opening Poster - Sales Promotion, Packaging, Single Unit – Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Weekend Pass Gift Box - Collateral Material, Poster, Single Unit – Gold
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Grand Opening Poster - Collateral Material, Special Event Material – Gold
- Birthplace of Country Music Museum Grand Opening Event Invitation
- Collateral Material, Poster, Campaign – Gold
2015 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Campaign
Southeast Tourism Society
- Top 20 Event
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Virginia Living
Best of Virginia 2015
- Best Museum/Gallery, Southwest Virginia
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Bristol Herald Courier
Best of Bristol 2015
- Best Museum / Gallery
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
2014
Television, Internet and Video Association of DC (TIVA-DC)
- Peer Gold Award for Documentary (Under 30 Minutes)
“Bound to Bristol” film, Birthplace of Country Music Museum - Motion Graphics – 2D/3D Animation
“I Was There” film, Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association
- Best of Show
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Pinnacle Award, Special Events
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Pinnacle Award, Public Relations
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Pinnacle Merit Award, Print and Multi-Media Advertising & Promotions
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Bristol Mayors’ Award of Distinction
- Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Southeast Festivals & Events Association
- Kaleidoscope Award, Best Festival – Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion - Kaleidoscope Award, Best Poster – Gold
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Justin Helton - Kaleidoscope Award, Best Digital Media App – Silver
- Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, CrowdTorch
- Kaleidoscope Award, Best Event Program – Silver
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival Guide, Cindy Collier & Kenny Thacker
