August 12, 2015 (Bristol, Tenn. /Va.) One year ago, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrated its Grand Opening amidst a fervor of enthusiasm and media attention from across the globe. Today the interactive, state-of-the-art tribute to the 1927 Bristol Sessionsand beyondhas received visitors from 49 U.S. states and 20 foreign countries. This Friday and Saturday, August 14 and 15, the museum celebrates it’s first anniversary with a special Year in Review and community celebration with live music, family activities, and more. On Saturday admission to the museum is free.
“This first year in operation has been foundational for us as an institution,” said Dr. Jessica Turner, Museum Director. “Since our Grand Opening we have presented two special exhibits, a host of educational programs, concerts, lectures, and films, and have been working hard to fit out the studio and equipment for WBCM Radio Bristol. Education and accessibility are at the core of our work, and we have been engaging a wide and diverse audience to promote the museum to visitors of all ages. We could not have accomplished all that we have without the support and efforts of a great community, including incredible docents and volunteers, major donors, supporters, advisers, and the many people who hold a stake in our future.”
“We are very grateful to everyone who has helped us realize the dream of honoring Bristol’s music heritage with the Birthplace of Country Music Museum,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent organization of the museum. “We want to invite everyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to see the museum to come out and experience it firsthand on Saturday and bring their families, free of charge. Our wish is for everyone in the community to make a personal connection with the music of this region and to understand how it continues to influence the music of today.”
The schedule of events is as follows:
Friday, August 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a special Year In Review that provides a recap of the first year of the museum. The Year in Review will take place in the Performance Theater at the Museum.
Saturday, August 15 at 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Museum hours 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)
Enjoy free admission to the museum, along with free family activities and live music throughout the day. With the exception of film screenings and Banjo Bingo in the Performance Theater, all activities will take place outside the museum at Birthplace of Country Music Way. In the event of rain, activities will be moved to the Learning Center and music will be brought into the atrium of the museum.
Schedule for the day includes:
• Live Music (Outdoors):
11:00 a.m. – Symphony Rags
1:00 p.m. – Slim Pickins, Tennessee High School’s Bluegrass Band
3:00 p.m. – Amythyst Kiah
• Family Activities (Outdoors):
– Make Your Own Banjo
– Printmaking
– Songwriting Mad Libs
– Hands-On Instrument Activities
– And Much More!
• Performance Theater Film Screening/Activity Schedule
-11:00 a.m.: From Wood to Singing Guitar & Sourwood Mountain Dulcimers, two films about master instrument builders (Wayne Henderson and I.D. Stamper from eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia.
-Noon: Banjo Bingo!
-1:00 p.m.: Appalachian Journey, Alan Lomax’s American Patchwork film on Appalachian music and culture.
-2:00 p.m.: Banjo Bingo!
-3:00 p.m.: Sunny Side of Life, a film about the Carter Family Fold.
-4:00 p.m.: The Ralph Stanley Story, the story of one of the greatest living legends in bluegrass from southwest Virginia.
• Museum Membership Incentives
• The Museum Store’s Special Artisan Event highlighting several local and regional artisans.
• And More!
• Take time to tour the museum. It’s free!