BCM to kick off radio fund drive with special announcement and concert on March 11.
Bristol, Tenn.-Va. (March 10, 2020) – The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) will kick off its annual WBCM Radio Bristol Fund Drive with a big announcement at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Wednesday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a free concert event that features some of Radio Bristol’s – and the region’s – finest talent.
WBCM Radio Bristol, a branch of Birthplace of Country Music, Inc., is a public, listener-supported station that broadcasts live from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, home of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions. Radio Bristol operates a low-watt FM signal in the Bristol area in addition to an online media center at ListenRadioBristol.org and a free radio app. The station went live in August 2015, one year after the grand opening of the museum.
“Radio Bristol serves as a beacon for our organization,” said BCM Executive Director Leah Ross. “The museum is a place for visitors to come and immerse themselves in the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is an annual celebration of our music heritage. Radio Bristol is our outreach, offering a window for listeners near and far to sample the music of our region and learn more about Bristol.”
Radio Bristol pays homage to the roots and branches of our region’s rich music heritage with original programming that serves to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate the story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and its impact on the music of today. From obscure, classic recordings to current Americana and progressive roots music formats, Radio Bristol breaks the rules of traditional radio by giving voice to artists, songs and genres that may not otherwise get airplay.
“We have an exciting announcement to make on March 11 that will affect the future of Radio Bristol,” Ross added.
A number of regional musicians produce programs on Radio Bristol. On Wednesday, March 11 2:00 p.m – 4:00 p.m. these talented on-air personalities will show off their musical chops outside the control booth during a Radio Bristol DJ Showcase. The show will take place in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and feature music by the following:
- Momma Molasses
(Folk Yeah! w/ Ella Patrick, Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. EST) - JP Parsons
(Appalachian Travels, Fridays at 2:30 p.m. EST) - Rich Kirby
(Old Kentucky Bound, Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. EST) - Virginia West
(Mountain Songs & Story w/ Toni Doman, Thursdays at 4:00 p.m.) - Moose Roberts & Scotty Almany
(Transmissions Under the Wire, Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. EST; Scotty’s Tune-Up, Wednesdays at 5:00 p.m. EST) - Bailey George & Jukebox Jess
(Honky Tonk Hit Parade, Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. EST) - Marshall Ballew
(Off the Beaten Track, Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m. EST) - The Boys
(Bristol Rhythm w/ Brett Davis, Fridays at 4:00 p.m. EST) - Nathan Sykes & Kris Truelsen
(Crooked Road Radio Hour, Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.; On the Sunnyside, 9:00 a.m. EST weekdays, Farm and Fun Time show host)
Some surprise guests may just sit in, so don’t miss it! The DJ Showcase is free and open to the public.
The kick-off continues through Thursday, March 12 on the Farm and Fun Time live variety show featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Jim Lauderdale and Miss Tess. Tickets to be part of the studio audience are now sold out, but the show will stream on Radio Bristol’s Facebook Live at Facebook.com/WBCMRadioBristol.
Listeners may pledge online at ListenRadioBristol.org or by calling 1-833-I-LUV-Bristol (1-833-458-8274).