Museum Archives - The Birthplace of Country Music

Win big for a great cause: $250k in prizes at 7th annual Bristol Sessions Super Raffle

June 26, 2025

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (June 24, 2025) – The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is proud to announce the launch of its 7th annual Bristol Sessions Super Raffle, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The raffle gives participants the chance to win more than $250,000 in cash and big prizes including a brand new Ford Maverick, a Transcend Travel Trailer, a Honda HR-V, a Subaru Crosstrek, and $20,000 in cash. A total of 49 prizes will be given away.

Only 5,000 Bristol Sessions Super Raffle tickets will be sold at $100 per ticket, increasing your odds of winning. Each ticket contains two raffle numbers, giving the ticket holder two chances to win per ticket. There is a “Buy 10, Get One Free” offer that gives the buyer a free ticket with the purchase of 10. Participants must be 18 years of age or older.

The Raffle drawing will take place from 12-4 p.m. ET, Sept. 21 outside the museum during the 24th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival. A winner will be drawn every five minutes during the four-hour event. The drawing will stream live on the Radio Bristol’s YouTube and Facebook pages and broadcast live on Radio Bristol, which can be accessed on the air at 100.1 FM in the Bristol area, online at ListenRadioBristol.org, and through the station’s free mobile app.

Winners do not have to be present at the drawing to win; winners will be notified via phone, text, or email, and listed on the Bristol Sessions Super Raffle website at BristolSessionsSuperRaffle.org.

BCM worked with local businesses to acquire prizes for the raffle including A&L RV Sales, Alfresco Lifestyles, Bristol Honda, Food City, Friendship Ford of Bristol, Goodman Jewelers, Just Fish’n, Lowe’s, Morrell Music, Mountain Sports LTD, Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, Progressive Tractor, Salt of the Earth, Stateline Motorsports, The Travel Shop, The Virginian and Wallace Imports of Bristol.

Tickets may be purchased online at BristolSessionsSuperRaffle.org and at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

For a complete list of rules, frequently asked questions, a list of all the prizes, and to purchase tickets, please visit BristolSessionsSuperRaffle.org.

Songwriters Circle Showcase spotlights regional artists in July

June 25, 2025

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (June 25, 2025) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum, in partnership with Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, will host the Songwriters Circle Showcase at 2 p.m. ET, July 12, a free event where regional songwriters take their turn in the spotlight to share their craft with the community. The Showcase will take place in the museum’s performance theater. The event is free and open to the public, but donations to support future programs and the songwriters are appreciated.

Regional songwriters Patrick Alan Green, Peter Gagnon, and Barnett Carr will perform their original songs in the round, sharing the inspiration and story behind each piece. Afterward, the songwriters will engage with the audience in a Q&A about the song’s creation, structure, and emotional impact.

Patrick Alan Green, a singer-songwriter from Bluff City, Tenn., describes his style as “genreless.” The first artist to record at downtown Bristol’s Audioasis, Green began his musical journey later in life. His music, including his latest album “Without A Halo & Wings,” is available on all streaming platforms.

Peter Gagnon, originally from New York, developed a love for the mountains during family vacations and later gravitated toward music, spending 15 years playing bass in his local church’s band. In 2021, he and his wife Barbara moved to Northeast Tennessee where they’ve found a new home among the mountains, music, and welcoming community. Peter regularly performs in local venues and with fellow songwriters from Songwriters of Highlands of Appalachia.

After years of failing to write what Barnett Carr perceived as the “perfect song,” he re-invented himself in the hill country of Texas and began writing from the heart. His album “Dark Side of the Mountain” is his concept album about Appalachia and features two GRAMMY winners.

The Songwriters Circle Showcase is held quarterly and serves as an extension of the museum’s monthly Songwriters Circle, a collaboration between the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia. Each Showcase event features talented regional songwriters who are part of the monthly Songwriters Circle. The Songwriters Circle, held 2 – 5 p.m. every second Saturday, offers a supportive environment where participants share their songs, collaborate with peers, and enhance their songwriting skills. There is no fee to attend. The goal is to foster creative community, encourage storytelling through songwriting, and provide opportunities for artists to perform and network with others.

For more information about Songwriters of Highlands Appalachia, visit HighlandsAppalachia.org. For more information about the Songwriters Circle and the Songwriters Circle Showcase, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

“The History and Archives of Maggard Sound Studios” with Ryan Bernard

June 24, 2025

BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn. (June 24, 2025) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is excited to host its next Speaker Session with archivist Ryan Bernard entitled “The History and Archives of Maggard Sound Studios.” The event will be held on July 8 at 7 p.m. ET at the museum. The event is free and open to the public. For those who cannot attend in person, the session will also be streamed live on Radio Bristol’s YouTube channel.

“Maggard Sound has played a central role in the Southwest Virginia music community, serving as the recording home for many influential musicians both locally and nationally,” said Museum Director Dr. Rene Rodgers. “Its legacy is a testament to the lasting impact of the studio on the region’s rich music history.”

Established in 1963, Maggard Sound Studios has been a cornerstone of Appalachian music for over 60 years. Among its notable contributions, the studio was the site where Dr. Ralph Stanley and The Clinch Mountain Boys recorded the GRAMMY Award-winning album “Lost in the Lonesome Pines” with Jim Lauderdale.

In his presentation, Ryan Bernard will delve into the rich history of Maggard Sound Studios, explore the Archives of Appalachia (which now houses the studio’s extensive collection), and discuss why it’s so important to preserve this valuable resource. He will also address the future prospects of the collection and its potential for scholarship and further research.

A seasoned educator and archivist, Ryan Bernard has a wealth of experience in the field of Appalachian studies. In addition to his role at the Archives of Appalachia, he teaches courses in Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Bernard’s past work includes serving as the Outreach Librarian and Program Coordinator/Associate Professor of Appalachian Studies at King University. He was also part of the curatorial team that helped design the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia, in 2013. Bernard holds master’s degrees in Appalachian Studies from ETSU and Library and Information Science from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

This event is a unique opportunity to gain insight into a historic and culturally significant studio, and it’s completely free to attend. To RSVP for the session, please visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

Swing your partner, do-si-do – at the ballet!

June 12, 2025

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (June 12, 2025) – Get ready for a lively evening of music and dancing! The Bristol Ballet studio will come alive at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, June 14, for a free community square dance, presented in partnership with the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

“We are excited to join forces with the museum and swap our ballet slippers for dancing shoes,” said Moira Frazier Ostrander, Artistic and School of Ballet Director. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together for a night of music, movement and a whole lot of fun!”

Leading the evening will be square dance caller Tyler Hughes, accompanied by toe-tapping live string band music from John Bills and friends. Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a complete beginner, everyone is welcome – no partner or prior experience needed. Just bring your energy and a pair of comfortable, sturdy shoes.

The event is free and open to all ages, making it a perfect way to enjoy an evening out with family and friends. While admission is free, donations are appreciated and help support public programs. RSVP today by visiting the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.