News Category: BCM News

Bristol, Tenn.-Va. (Feb. 6, 2023) – Four talented songwriters from Saturday’s Tennessee’s Songwriters Week qualifying round at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum are one step closer to possibly landing a dream gig at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Cafe.

Adam Bolt, Abingdon, Va.; Melissa Johner, Marion, Va.; Katie Powderly, Frederick, Md.; and Ron Short, Duffield, Va., will move forward to the next phase of the competition – a Showcase event at The Down Home in Johnson City, Tenn. during Tennessee Songwriters Week. The Showcase will be held at 7:30 p.m. ET, Feb. 22. Once there, they will compete against other qualifiers from venues across the region. Only one songwriter will advance from The Down Home to Nashville and perform with other finalists from across the state.

A total of 61 songwriters entered videos in the Bristol qualifying round, some from as far away as Colorado and Maine. An independent panel narrowed the entries down to 20, but only four could be chosen to advance to the Showcase round.

“The level of artistry from each of the songwriters who performed on Saturday was exceptional,” said Charlene Baker, Communications Manager for the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM). “Our judges had a difficult time narrowing the field down to just four songwriters. It was a great day of music and a tradition I now look forward to every year.”

The remaining list of songwriters who performed in the Bristol qualifying round are as follows:

Blane Sage | Atkins, Va.
Carrie Brockwell | Chesterfield, Va.
Claire Childress | Big Stone Gap, Va.
Cory Michael Harris | Whitesburg, Ky.
Ella Patrick | Bristol, Va.
Isaac Drummond | Wytheville, Va.
Jamie Collins | Hillsville, Va.
Jonathan Short | Wise, Va.
K. T. Vandyke | Bristol, Va.
Landon Camper | Bristol, Tenn.
Lauren Frihauf | Byers, Colo.
Madison Denhardt | Big Stone Gap, Va.
Noah Spencer | Pounding Mill, Va.
Roger Ramsey | Mountain City, Tenn.
Sam Tayloe | Charlotte, N.C.
Sara Trunzo | Belfast, Maine

The public is invited to attend the Showcase event at The Down Home during Tennessee Songwriters Week to cheer on all the artists that competed in qualifying round venues across our region. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased through the venue’s website at DownHome.com.

Tennessee Songwriters Week supports music venues, songwriters with live performances in all genres of music, drives visitation and inspires travelers to experience the state’s music stories, history, attractions and venues.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Taylor Guitars, and music venues and local convention and visitors’ bureaus, chambers of commerce and partners across the state, all committed to make sure songwriters can share their original work onstage with other writers.

Follow along with Tennessee Songwriters Week by following @tnvacation and #madeinTN, #NowPlayingTN

For a full list of Tennessee Songwriters Week Showcase events across the state, visit TNVacation.com/songwriters-week.

For more information about the Birthplace of Country Music, visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

It’s all happening in Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music, home of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings!

To read our official January 2023 Newsletter, click here.
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Bristol, Tenn.-Va. (Oct. 3, 2022) – The Birthplace of Country Music presents Seattle-based roots band Western Centuries in concert at 6 p.m. EDT, Oct. 14. The performance is part of the 1927 Concert Series. Catering, an open bar, and a meet-and-greet with the artist are included in the ticket price.

In an age when independence is idolized and every person seems to be seeking their own lone wolf career path, Western Centuries believes that way forward is better together. Collaboration, inspiration and mutual admiration are what the band cites as the heart of their project. Western Centuries celebrates their third album as a “band’s band” with the release of “Call the Captain” – a tongue-in-cheek reference to the band’s lack of hierarchy. Unsurprisingly for such an egalitarian outfit, the collection offers harsh criticism of dogmatic belief systems, all while leading by example with a unique, genre-defying sound.

The 1927 Society Concert Series is an intimate concert experience set in the “acoustically perfect” performance theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. It’s more than a night of music, it is a very personal event with some of the most renowned roots music artists performing today. Guests are asked to arrive at 6 p.m. EDT to enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and open bar (ages 21+ with valid ID) before the show, which begins at 7 p.m. EDT. The audience will have the opportunity to mingle with the band after the concert, and everything is included in the ticket price. Members of BCM’s 1927 Society are given access to exclusive ticket pre-sales to the series before they go on sale to the public.

Tickets to the 1927 Society Concert Series featuring Western Centuries are $100 and available for purchase online. For tickets and more information about becoming a member of the 1927 Society visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – July 13, 2022 – In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the “Big Bang” of country music, Tennessee Tourism is partnering with Tenn.-based networks Circle and DittyTV to tell the story of country music’s most historic event in a one-hour docudrama, “Born in Bristol.” The special is set to premiere Saturday, July 30 at 10/9c on Circle Network with repeats throughout August.* It will also debut on connected devices worldwide on DittyTV on Saturday, July 30 at 8/7c with repeats in August. The docudrama features cinematic reenactments and new interviews with artists including Ashley Campbell, Ashley Monroe, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, Marty Stuart, Shannon Campbell, Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, and Vince Gill, as well as GRAMMY-winning producer Carl Jackson.

“Born in Bristol” relives the pivotal 12 days in 1927 when musicians descended upon the Tennessee-Virginia state line. Those recordings later became known as the “Big Bang” of country music. Musical pioneer Ralph Peer brought hillbilly music to life in a warehouse in Bristol, Tenn., recording such artists as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Country music legend Johnny Cash declared the recordings as the single most important event in country music, responsible for the genre as we know it today.

In 2014, Tennessee Tourism and Virginia Tourism Corporation, in partnership with the Birthplace of Country Music in Bristol, recreated the Bristol Sessions with the release of Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited featuring new recordings of the original songs by modern-day stars including Country Music Hall of Famers Gill, Harris, Parton, and Stuart. The docudrama includes never-before-released interviews and musical outtakes from that historic recording.

The Bristol Sessions influenced modern-day country legends like Eric Church, who stated: “It was the first time it [country music] was recorded, it was documented, and it was the bible of country music. It is still the bible for country music.”

“As a country music musician, it was kind of our genesis,” said Marty Stuart. “The Bristol Sessions was kind of the formal ‘how do you do’ to the world. It absolutely was the blueprint of what country music has become.”

“Those were songs that I grew up with and knowing and it influenced the way I write,” noted Dolly Parton. “But they’re really simple songs – ordinary songs about ordinary people. But they’re told in such a sweet, extraordinary way.”

The special takes viewers into the modern-day studio and all the way back to the warehouse as it may have looked nearly 100 years ago when Ralph Peer convinced 19 acts to let him record their music. Peer created the royalty system that largely is still in place today and brought the world some of its most influential artists of all time.

“What’s so beautiful is to realize that all those years ago…nothing has changed,” noted Vince Gill. “All of us are still moved by a great singer and a great song.”

“If you’re a country music fan, we’re offering you a glimpse into the genesis of the genre as told by some of country music’s most iconic artists,” said Circle Network’s Senior Vice President of Content, Evan Haiman.

Circle Network is dedicated to bringing country music and lifestyle programming to fans across the nation through Opry performances, documentaries, original programming and more. As the home of country programming, Circle Network viewers relish in the stories of country music’s greatest moments – both new and old – and are certain to enjoy learning about the little-known backstory of the 1927 Bristol Sessions in “Born in Bristol.”

Music and history buffs alike can commemorate the 95th anniversary of the recordings with special programming offered by the Smithsonian-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. The museum explores how evolving technology shaped the success of the Bristol Sessions and how its rich musical heritage still thrives in the Appalachian region and beyond. The sessions are celebrated annually during the second week in September at the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival. Visitors can plan their music adventure at www.ExploreBristol.com.

Tennessee is home to seven genres of music: blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and rock ‘n’ roll. More songs are written, recorded, and played live in Tennessee than anywhere else in the world. In 2018, Tennessee Tourism launched the Tennessee Music Pathways to connect visitors to the people, places and events that shaped music history. Visitors can trace the origins and plan their own music-inspired journey at www.TNmusicpathways.com.

*EDITOR’S NOTE: “Born in Bristol” repeats Sunday, July 31 at 1 a.m. ET/12 midnight CT on Circle Network, with additional airings throughout August.

Bristol, Tenn.-Va. (June 10, 2022) – Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), has earned the Pinnacle Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association (NETTA) at the tourism agency’s 25th annual conference June 9, presented by Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Bristol Motor Speedway. The award is the highest honor presented to an individual or organization that has made a highly significant contribution to the travel and tourism industry in Northeast Tennessee.

“A tenacious ambassador for Bristol and the arts, Ross has earned the reputation for rolling up her sleeves and getting the job done, whatever the task,” said Mark Ezell, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (pictured right with Ross). “She can often be found working in the trenches with volunteers, and she is well-known for her diplomatic skills and for bringing groups together. Her tireless energy and passion for our region and its music culture has parlayed itself into dogged advocacy for our community and the banner success of BCM.”

“You can’t possibly think about the impact of tourism in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia without thinking about Leah Ross,” said NETTA Executive Director Alicia Phelps. “It takes most people a lifetime to accomplish the milestones she has for our region and the Birthplace of Country Music. The best part is, she’s not done yet. I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”

“I am very humbled to receive this recognition from NETTA,” said Ross. “I stand on the shoulders of a very talented team at BCM, many community leaders, partners, and volunteers, and the individuals and visionaries before me who laid the foundation for what our organization has become. I am so grateful for their hard work and passion for our mission –  without them, none of it would have been possible.”

Ross was among the founding volunteers of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion since its inception in 2001, and became executive director for the event in 2005. According to an independent economic impact study, the festival brings in an estimated $16.1 million in economic impact to the region. In 2012 the festival merged with the former Birthplace of Country Music Alliance to form BCM with the goal of building a museum honoring the heritage of the 1927 Bristol Sessions. A mere two years later, in August of 2014, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, opened its doors to the public. WBCM Radio Bristol, which broadcasts from the museum, went on the air in 2015.

Under Ross’ leadership, BCM has earned dozens of tourism and museum industry awards including the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Tennessee Governor’s Arts Leadership Award, plus honors from the International Festivals & Events Association, Southeast Festival & Events Association, Tennessee Association of Museums, NETTA, Southeast Tourism Society, and the American Bus Association.

Ross’ many personal accomplishments include the Industry Leadership Award from NETTA, the Arts Alliance Mountain Empire’s Arts Achievement Award, YWCA Bristol’s Tribute to Women, a service award from the Bristol Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Bristol Motor Speedway’s Extra Mile Award for Volunteerism, to name a few.

In addition to Ross’ Lifetime Achievement Award, BCM took home the Pinnacle Award for Event of the Year for the 20th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival and a Pinnacle for Advertising and Promotions, Long Video, for Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion: Celebrating 20 Years in 2021 Episode 4 docuseries episode, produced by Loch & Key Productions of Knoxville, Tennessee. Additionally, Victory Lap Media, a public relations firm based in Asheville, North Carolina and nominated by BCM, took home NETTA’s Pinnacle for Agency of the Year. BCM contracted Victory Lap to help with media and public relations for the organization in 2021.

For more information about the Birthplace of Country Music, visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

Bristol, Tenn./Va. (June 1, 2022) – The board of directors of the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) today announced Paula Hurt as the nonprofit’s new managing director. In this role, Hurt will report directly to the board and will oversee staff and day-to-day business operations of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol.

“After evaluating nearly 90 candidates from all over the U.S., Paula impressed us with her experience, skill set, and interviews,” said Keith Liskey, a BCM board member who served as volunteer Interim managing director during the five month search. “We consider it a tremendous bonus that Paula is from our region and has prior work experience in Bristol. We expect her to be an outstanding leader for the talented and dedicated BCM team.”

“I am thankful to be part of the BCM family and honored to have been entrusted to lead the organization,” said Hurt. “The staff is talented, driven, and resourceful. The board and volunteers are so passionate, welcoming and willing to step up to fulfill the mission of BCM. To be a part of such an excellent team and to contribute to its success moving forward is a priceless opportunity.”

“My passion is for the Bristol community,” Hurt continued. “To think back through the evolution, from U.S. Congress designating Bristol as the birthplace of country music to the growth of the festival and the opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, there is such a sense of pride. It’s a wonderful opportunity to join an organization that celebrates and promotes our beloved music heritage and to educate future generations of Bristol’s impact on the music of today.”

The daughter of a career Marine, Hurt spent much of her youth traveling but calls Elizabethton, Tennessee home base. After graduating from Elizabethton High School, Hurt went on to earn her Bachelor’s of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University with a concentration in accounting. For seven years Hurt acted as purchasing agent for Snap-on Tools, a global producer of quality hand tools. For 19 years Hurt served as vice president of finance and administration for the Bristol Chamber of Commerce and interim president/CEO. During that time, Hurt also coordinated the LEAD Bristol! and Bristol Youth Leadership Programs. For more than five years Hurt served as accounts payable supervisor for AGC Flat Glass North America, a global producer of glass for building projects and automotive use.

Hurt has been a Bristol resident for more than 30 years where she lives with her husband of 31 years, James, who is employed by Sullivan County, Tennessee. Together they have a 26-year-old son, Logan, who works at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Hurt is an avid walker who also enjoys gardening, books, word games and puzzles.

The hire is a result of organizational growth at BCM that includes Leah Ross assuming the new role of executive director of advancement, focusing her talents on government, tourism and music industry relations, and fundraising.

For more information about the Birthplace of Country Music and its mission, click here.