“Best of Show,” Awards of Excellence, & Top Reader Rankings Achieved
The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), parent organization of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol, took home top honors at the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association’s (NETTA) 19th annual Pinnacle Awards, including “Best of Show” for BCM’s interactive remote exhibit at the Bristol, Virginia Welcome Center. BCM received two Pinnacle Awards for its public relations and advertising campaigns surrounding the CD release of Orthphonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited, an award was given for the organization’s website, and one for the economic impact of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, which is estimated to add more than $16 million in tax revenue for Bristol and the surrounding region.
Additionally, BCM board member Keith Liskey was honored as NETTA’s Volunteer of the Year. The former chief operating officer of Strongwell Corporation in Bristol, Virginia has been integral in the development of business plans for each of its branches, and he also works closely with staff to curate and promote artisan wares at The Museum Store.
In March the Birthplace of Country Music Museum also received honors recently from the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM). An Award of Excellence was achieved for the museum’s special exhibit “Tennessee Ernie Ford: A Life On Stage,” which closed in February of this year. An Award of Excellence for A/V Exhibit Component was given for the WBCM Radio Bristol station. Housed in public view within the museum’s permanent exhibits, Radio Bristol provides visitors with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of a radio station and features live and pre-recorded programming.
In addition, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are both winners in the hearts and minds of more than 400,000 readers of Virginia Living Magazine. The museum was voted “Best Museum” in southwest Virginia in a readers poll for the magazine’s “Best of Virginia 2016” issue, published in early May. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion ranked in the top 3 for “Best Family Entertainment”; Abingdon, Virginia’s Historic Barter Theatre took home first place in the category.
“Everyone at the Birthplace of Country Music is inspired and passionate about our mission,” said Leah Ross, BCM Executive Director. “Any achievement by our organization is a direct reflection of the hard work of our staff and volunteers. We are very grateful our work has been recognized.”