News Category: Museum

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (Oct. 30, 2023) – If you loved the addition of Hoot and Holler at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion this year, then you won’t want to miss its return to Historic Downtown Bristol at 7 p.m. ET, Nov. 16, in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The storytellers are all cast and waiting for a live audience with which to share their tales of music and how it has impacted their lives.

Hoot and Holler is a live storytelling event based in Roanoke, Va. that builds community by encouraging people to step up and share their stories in a supportive, diverse, and empowering format. Organizers believe all stories matter and that all people have thousands of stories within them to tell.

“Hoot and Holler is thrilled to celebrate the magical marriage of story and song for this very special event at the museum,” said Lee Hunsaker, the show’s producer. “The ‘Soundtrack of My Life’ stories you will hear will resonate deeply with anyone who has had a song or album or concert or instrument that has carried you through pivotal moments in life. Music can serve as a roadmap of our life experiences. These stories will take us along on eight wildly different journeys, the heartbeat of music pulsing strongly as we lean in and listen.”

“Hoot and Holler was such a popular event at the festival, we unfortunately had to turn some people away because we were at capacity in the venue,” said Leah Ross, executive director of advancement for the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM), the parent organization of the museum, the festival, and WBCM Radio Bristol. “We are excited to give audiences another opportunity to see this very special program here in Bristol.”

Fans of NPR’s “The Moth,” “This American Life,” “Mortified,” and other storytelling events and podcasts will love being part of the audience for Hoot and Holler. A little vaudeville, a smidge of irreverent rock ‘n’ roll, a dash of freak show, a heap of hilarity, and a massive infusion of soul, Hoot and Holler will restore faith in the way we, as humans, share and listen.

Tickets to be part of the audience for Hoot and Holler at the museum are $15 (plus tax/fees) per person and may be purchased through the events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (Oct. 18, 2023) – It’s double the fun in Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music Museum hosts the two-time, GRAMMY Award winning duo of Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer for a music and joy-filled weekend of interactive programs and events Oct. 28 and 29. The master musicians will regale visitors with songs, yodeling – and rope tricks! – during Community Day on Saturday at the museum. On Sunday Fink and Marxer join us in the Walnut Willow Spruce Classroom on the first floor of Bristol Regional Medical Center for a Q&A session following the film screening of their stage show “All Wigged Out: The Musical,” a heartwarming and hilarious comedy that follows Marxer’s personal breast cancer journey. Special thanks are due to Ballad Health for helping facilitate this opportunity.

“Over the past two years the museum staff have worked with Cathy Fink on our ‘I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music‘ exhibit, and so when the opportunity arose to share this wonderful musical perspective on the cancer journey, we jumped at it!” said Dr. Rene Rodgers, head curator at the museum. “Being able to bring this screening to our community also means a lot to me personally because my mother battled two cancers before passing away earlier this year.”

With careers spanning over 35 years, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer’s superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and more. Their repertoire ranges from classic country to western swing, gypsy jazz to bluegrass, and old-time string band to contemporary folk (including some original gems). The duo has performed at hundreds of bluegrass and folk festivals and taught close to 100 music camps internationally, with a student roster that includes Kaki King and Rhiannon Giddens.

From comparing her cancer journey to being dragged through a car wash while playing the musical washboard, to dealing with everyone’s “Unsolicited Advice” to showing the ridiculous “My Chemo Bag” given to her at the hospital, Marxer sticks to the truth of her situation in “All Wigged Out: The Musical” while also finding humor in many moments.

“Every time we screen ‘All Wigged Out’ there are good outcomes,” said Marxer. “Women are reminded to get their mammograms, men find out what really happens in a mammogram, and it’s a fun way to share the patient power you can take on in challenging medical situations – all wrapped up in comedy, music, and theater.”

To take part in the screening, participants are asked to RSVP for the event through the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org. Both events are free and open to the public; donations are encouraged for the film screening with all donations supporting Ballad’s Cancer Center Foundation – Patience Assistance Fund.

On Community Day, families are encouraged to also take part in Pumpkin Palooza, downtown trick-or-treating, and costume contest events on Saturday morning, plus Bristol’s inaugural Halloween Parade on State Street later that day. Further details about these can be found on Believe in Bristol’s site.

The weekend’s schedule of events are as follows:

Saturday, Oct. 28

• 9 a.m.: Pumpkin Palooza, The Downtown Center at 801 State Street
• 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.: Trick-or-Treating, State Street
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Community Day at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 101 Country Music Way
  • 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Instrument petting zoo with Bailey George & Jukebox Jess
  • 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Spooky Appalachian Story Time, exploring a new book each half hour
  • 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Busking with our friendly bluegrass jammers throughout the day
  • 12:30 p.m.: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s singing, yodeling and rope tricks
  • 3 p.m.: Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer’s singing, yodeling and rope tricks
• 6 p.m.:: Halloween Parade, State Street

Sunday, Oct. 29

• 2:30 p.m.: “All Wigged Out: The Musical” Film Screening
• 3:30 p.m.:: Q&A with Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer

For more information on Historic Downtown Bristol’s Halloween programming, visit BelieveInBristol.org. For more information about Community Day and “All Wigged Out: The Musical,” visit the Events pages at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (Oct. 5, 2023) – The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) has announced that the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will become an affiliate location for the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program starting this fall. Classes will be held at 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays each week, beginning Oct. 21.

Incorporated as a nonprofit in 2008, JAM is a program for children in grades 4-8 and beyond, that introduces music through small group instruction on instruments common to the Appalachian region such as fiddle, banjo, and guitar. Classes are after school and/or through affiliate partners across the region. The program has expanded to nearly 30 locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, serving thousands of children.

“We are thrilled to be joining the Junior Appalachian Musicians as an affiliate and beginning our own branch of this wonderful program here at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum,” said museum Curatorial Manager Erika Barker. “This partnership enables us to extend the musical engagement we provide through our Pick Along Summer Camps and to share the excitement of learning and playing music more widely. JAM has introduced so many young people to the traditional music of our region and provides access to the instruments and instruction they need to build a lifelong connection to our music heritage.”

With the JAM program, instrument instruction is often augmented by dance and vocal instruction as well as string band classes and group enrichment lessons, which introduce children to additional Appalachian culture and history. The JAM program model provides children with opportunities to not only learn traditional music, but to also perform in small and large groups. Field trips, visiting artists, and an introduction to the rich history of music unique to each local community further supplement program offerings. Each JAM program is encouraged to foster musical traditions by teaching local styles of traditional mountain music and dance to students. Instructors are also encouraged to teach students to learn music by ear, so as to preserve oral traditions as much as possible. Other teaching methodologies and instructional skills are covered in regional professional development and training sessions held multiple times per year and hosted by JAM. JAM also encourages student engagement across programs with regional performance and learning activities throughout the year.

JAM classes will be held in the museum’s Learning Center. The cost for participation is $5 per class or students may sign up for 10 lessons at $45. Fiddles, banjos, and guitars will be available for students to use at no cost; other instruments will be introduced as determined by the instructors. Scholarships are available upon request. Lessons can be paid for all at once or as you go.

To learn more about Junior Appalachian Musicians, visit their website at JamKids.org. For more information about JAM Kids at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, visit the Events pages at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (Sept. 20, 2023) – The public is invited to attend two events of immersive West Virginia step dancing and square dancing at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Bristol Ballet Sept. 29 and 30 that will get your toes a-tapping to centuries-old dance customs that make up the fabric of Appalachian culture. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 29, at the museum with a screening of “Reel ‘Em, Boys, Reel ‘Em,” a documentary that follows the Mountain Dance Trail as it winds across West Virginia, featuring interviews with callers, dancers, musicians, and dance historians, and followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Becky Hill.

The following evening at 6:30 p.m. ET, Sept. 30, participants may join in a high-steppin’ square dance session at Bristol Ballet’s studio located at 330 Buford Street in Bristol, Va. Becky Hill will lead the event with a short introduction to dance steps, followed by a full square dance with lively string band music from Gina and Jason Dilg. Both events are free and open to all ages; please RSVP through the Events pages at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

“Dancing is a big part of Appalachian culture and community, and so we are thrilled to have Becky Hill here to share two engaging and fun-filled dance-focused events. The film is a great opportunity to learn more about dance traditions, while the square dance will give participants the chance to dance themselves!” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “All ages are welcome to participate and no partner or previous experience is needed for the square dance, and we are excited to partner with the Bristol Ballet who will host the square dance in their new studio.”

Becky Hill is currently programming manager for the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and is a percussive dancer, square dance caller, choreographer, community organizer, and educator. Hill completed her M.F.A. in dance at the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2022 and has been an artist-in-residence at Strathmore, John C. Campbell Folk School, Hambidge Center for the Creative Arts & Sciences, and Loghaven. She is actively involved with Dance Exchange’s Dance On Creative Aging Program and can be found performing with T-Mart Rounders calling square dances and teaching dance all over the country.

Hill has worked with Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, Good Foot Dance Company and Rhythm in Shoes, and has studied with an array of percussive dance luminaries. She has also worked with a number of cultural and artistic organizations including Wheatland Music Organization’s Carry It On…Project, The Mountain Dance Trail of August Heritage Center, and Helvetia Hoot. She directed her first evening length music and dance work inspired by Appalachia called “Shift.”

As an avid organizer and teacher, Becky’s work is deeply rooted in the connections between music and community. She believes there is always more to learn and is dedicated to creating innovative choreography rooted in Appalachian music and dance.

These events are complementary programming to the museum’s current special exhibit, I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music, on display through Dec. 31, 2023. Special thanks are due to the East Tennessee Foundation Art Fund for their support of the exhibit’s programming and to Bristol Ballet, one of the exhibit’s sponsors.

To pre-register for the screening and square dance, and for more information, visit the Events page at the BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn. (Aug. 11, 2023) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Va.-Tenn. today announced it has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award winner for attractions. The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveler reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the top 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.

“We are thrilled that visitors to our museum enjoy their time with us and leave such positive feedback on Tripadvisor,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “We do our very best to provide a world-class experience for our guests and to offer great customer service so they’ll not only come back, but also encourage others to visit us.”

“Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winners,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Earning a Travelers’ Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!”

Check out all the reviews, and discover more about the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tripadvisor’s website at Tripadvisor.com. To plan your visit to the museum, visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (Aug. 10, 2023) – Mark your calendars for a captivating evening of music, history and culture as part of a special preview screening of the documentary film ‘”I’ve Endured”: The Music and Legacy of Ola Belle Reed.’ The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. ET, Aug. 28, at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Please pre-register to attend this free event.

This extraordinary documentary delves into the life and work of the renowned bluegrass and old-time musician, Ola Belle Campbell Reed (1916-2002). The film, produced in collaboration with Ola Belle Reed and the Southern Diaspora, a distinguished exhibit at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, artfully contextualizes Reed’s accomplishments within the backdrop of 20th century migration from rural Appalachia to the north. Through a combination of insightful interviews, mesmerizing performances, and precious archival footage, the documentary offers a profound understanding of Reed’s lasting impact on generations of musicians who were inspired by her remarkable songwriting and performances.

Attendees are invited to be part of a virtual Q&A session with scholar and filmmaker Bill Shewbridge upon conclusion of the 45-minute film, offering a unique opportunity to gain deeper insight into the making of the film and the intricate layers of Ola Belle Reed’s legacy.

The screening and Q&A serves as complimentary programming to the highly acclaimed special exhibit, “I’ve Endured”: Women in Old-Time Music,’ on display now at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum through the end of the year.

To pre-register and for more information, visit the Events page at the BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (July 26, 2023) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol has announced the next exciting installment of its Speaker Sessions series, featuring Dr. Bryan Pierce, curator of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will be held virtually at 7 p.m. ET, Aug. 8 via Zoom, allowing music enthusiasts from around the world to participate. Pre-registration is required at no cost.

“The National Museum of African American Music opened in 2021, and they’ve been high on our list for a Speaker Sessions presentation ever since then. We’re thrilled to host Dr. Pierce and gain insights into this new and vibrant museum and his work there,” said Dr. Rene Rodgers, Head Curator at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. “He’ll also share stories of Black artists and music history that connect with the music of our region.”

A Ph.D. graduate from Arkansas State University, Dr. Bryan Pierce is a distinguished scholar and museum professional with a profound passion for African American aesthetics in music and decorative arts. Prior to joining NMAAM, Dr. Pierce served as the Digital Archivist at Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., where he made significant contributions to preserving the rich history of African American cultural heritage. His extensive background in museum curation and exhibition development includes involvement with the exhibition development team at the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Arkansas’ Historic Dyess Colony.

During the Speaker Session, Dr. Pierce will take the audience on a captivating journey through the work and initiatives of NMAAM. Through his presentation, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the histories and stories behind Black music and its indelible impact on American culture.

To pre-register for the Speaker Session with Dr. Pierce, visit the Events page at the BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va. (June 6, 2023) – The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is thrilled to announce that acclaimed author and journalist Holly Gleason will be the featured guest for this month’s Speaker Sessions series. The event will take place at 7 p.m. ET on June 13, offering an exciting opportunity for attendees to delve into the transformative power of women artists in the music industry. Guests may RSVP to join in person or pre-register to participate via Zoom. There is no cost to attend.

Gleason, known for her remarkable book “Woman, Walk the Line,” will lead a captivating exploration of how women artists change lives through their music. Despite the ongoing struggle of radio airplay, their songs continue to resonate and make a lasting impact.

“By shedding light on what women artists embody and the significance of their music, Gleason’s presentation promises to be an inspiring and enlightening experience for us all,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers.

Holly Gleason is a music critic, academic, and artist development consultant. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, HITS, Musician, CREEM, the Oxford American, No Depression and Paste. She is also a co-writer of Miranda Lambert’s #3 New York Times bestseller “Ya’ll Eat Yet?,” and a Belmont Book Award and CMA Media Achievement Award winner.

Following her talk, Gleason will be available to sign copies of her book, offering attendees a chance to connect on a more personal level. To RSVP or pre-register to be part of the Speaker Session, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.

Bristol, Va.-Tenn. (May 11, 2023) – Panelists from a variety of backgrounds in music discuss what it is like to work in the field at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, 7 p.m. ET, May 23. The program is in partnership with the Arts Alliance Mountain Empire (AAME). Participants may join online via Zoom or in person. There is no cost to attend.

“We are excited to partner with AAME to offer this fascinating look into the lives of women whose skills and experiences in music are so varied,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “The panelists will offer multiple perspectives on making a career in music, providing insights to those who aspire to join them and those who enjoy their work.”

Special guests Carla Gover, Dr. Dena Jennings, and Emily Spencer will be part of the panel, exploring their different careers, how they engage others with their creative visions, the challenges and joys of dealing with the day-to-day realities of their work, and more.
Carla Gover is an 8th-generation Kentuckian, whose art and work celebrate the best of what the state has to offer. She shares flatfooting, ballads, and banjo through her performances, recordings, collaborations, and online courses. She’s released seven albums of music, including her most recent recording with CornMaiz String Band, which went to #1 on the Folk Radio Charts. She’s toured for nearly three decades, playing such venues as the Glasgow Royal Hall, Merlefest, and The Kennedy Center. She’s also won a slew of awards, including the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest and the Kerrville New Folk Award. She was also recognized as a Master Dancer by the Kentucky Folklife Program, and recently won the “Appy” for Best Dance Educator from the Appalachian Arts & Entertainment Awards. She is the founder of the groundbreaking online Appalachian Flatfooting & Clogging Academy. With her partner Yani Vozos, she also coordinates the Cornbread & Tortillas Artist Collective, whose mission is to build community by sharing art, music, dance, and cultural heritage.

Dr. Dena Jennings is a physician and artist in Central Virginia who hand carves modern instruments made from gourds and other natural fibers in the style of traditional instruments from around the world. Her practice’s waiting room is a gallery for her sculpted instruments and a listening room for Appalachian and Black American roots music. Through her nonprofit Imani Works, Jennings conducts instrument building workshops, conflict transformation retreats, and hosts the Affrolachian On-Time Music Gathering.

Emily Spencer was born and grew up in Arlington, Virginia, then moved to Southwest Virginia to attend college. She and her late husband, Thornton Spencer, formed the Whitetop Mountain Band along with the renowned fiddler Albert Hash. The band has performed widely in the region and other countries and continues to perform to this day. In 1980 she began teaching mountain music in a community music program at the Mount Rogers Fire Department. This program eventually became the Albert Hash Memorial Band program in Grayson County Schools. She is currently an instructor in both the Ashe and Alleghany JAM programs in North Carolina and has also taught through Wilkes Community College in Ashe, Alleghany, and Wilkes, and at Wytheville Community College. Emily has also led many workshops at various festivals and events.

Music as Work is complementary programming to the I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music special exhibit, currently on display at the museum through December 31, 2023. Interested in-person attendees can participate in a curator-guided tour of the exhibit at 6:15 p.m. ET before the program starts.

Bristol, Va.-Tenn. (May 1, 2023) – Learn more about the life and shocking murder of country music legend Stringbean as part of the next Speaker Session with author Taylor Hagood at 7 p.m., May 9. Presented by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the event will be held virtually via Zoom and is free and open to the public.

“This true crime story is one of the most shocking and tragic events in the history of country music,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “It may not be suitable for younger viewers due to the nature of the content.”

November 10, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of country music legend David “Stringbean” Akeman and his wife, Estelle. The brutal murder of the beloved couple shook Nashville and the country music industry to its foundations, changing it in fundamental ways.

Stringbean’s death ended a life that had spanned country music from its beginnings to the outlaw country era. Along the way, Stringbean played a foundational role in developing bluegrass music, continued through the honky tonk era, and survived the onslaught of rock ‘n’ roll. He made his mark as a banjo player, singer, and comedian on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw, forging a persona at once hilariously retro and strikingly ahead of its time.

Taylor Hagood’s book, “Stringbean: The Life and Death of a Country Music Legend,” explores both the myths and facts of the enigmatic performer and his death. Hagood will offer fresh perspectives on Stringbean’s life and career while revisiting the intrigues of the murder, investigation, trial, and parole that altogether form one of country music’s most tragic stories.

Taylor Hagood is a writer, speaker, literary critic, musician, artist, and educator. An internationally-renowned scholar of the writing of William Faulkner, Hagood is the author of multiple books, including “Faulkner, Writer of Disability,” which won the C. Hugh Holman Award for Best Book in Southern Studies. His many articles range from literary criticism to a series of travel essays for the online journal Throomers. He has lectured throughout the United States and Europe at universities, institutes, and private clubs. His interest in country music is deep and lifelong, and he has had particular fascination with banjo playing, construction, and history. A native of Ripley, Mississippi, Hagood is currently a professor at Florida Atlantic University.

For those planning to join this free Speaker Session online, please pre-register through the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.