Special Projects Archives - The Birthplace of Country Music

Low ticket alert! Blues phenom Jontavious Willis brings soul-stirring sounds to Bristol

October 23, 2025

BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn. (Oct. 23, 2025) – The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is proud to present GRAMMY®-nominated blues sensation Jontavious Willis, set to perform at the 1927 Concert Series at 6 p.m. EST, Nov. 1. Held in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s intimate, “acoustically perfect” performance theater, the 1927 Concert Series is no ordinary performance – it’s a rare, up-close and personal opportunity for the audience to connect with the artist and their music.

With a voice rooted in gospel and a style spanning ragtime, Delta, Piedmont, Texas, country and Gospel blues, Georgia native Jontavious Willis is redefining what it means to play the genre in the 21st century. His critically acclaimed debut album “Blue Metamorphosis” earned the Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge Award for Best Self-Produced CD in 2018 and established him as one of the most exciting new voices in American roots music. His sophomore album “Spectacular Class” was produced by Keb’ Mo’ and executive produced by blues legend Taj Mahal, who referred to Willis as “Wonderboy, the Wonderkind.” The record received a nomination for Best Traditional Blues Album at the 62nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards and established him as one of the most exciting new voices in American roots music. Willis’ autobiographical “West Georgia Blues,” released last year, has received heaps of praise from the likes of Guitar World, PopMatters, No Depression, and Blues Rock Review who stated: “If you’re a blues fan, you need this music. If you’re not a blues fan, you may need it even more!”

Guests of the 1927 Concert Series will enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar (available to ages 21+ with valid ID) upon arrival, all included with the price of the ticket. Doors open promptly at 6 p.m. with music beginning at 7 p.m. A very limited number of seats are still available to the public, as tickets to 1927 Concerts generally sell out in exclusive pre-sales to BCM’s 1927 Society members.

Tickets for the 1927 Concert are $119.57 (price includes all applicable taxes and fees). To reserve tickets and learn more about how you can get first dibs at future 1927 Concert tickets as a 1927 Society member, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org or the 1927 Society membership page at birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/about/support-and-join/1927-society.

Bristol Roots Project awards $52,000 to support local culture

August 21, 2025

BRISTOL, Va.-Tenn. (Aug. 21, 2025) – The Bristol Roots Project announced $52,000 in grant awards to folk and traditional artists and cultural organizations working in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee. This is the second round of funding for the greater Bristol region made possible by Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT), a program of Mid-Atlantic Arts.

The Tradition Bearer Fellowship supports individuals in their creative practices by providing financial support, professional development, and public presentation opportunities. Eight $4,000 fellowships have been awarded, representing a $32,000 direct investment in area individuals at different stages of their careers. These fellowships will help sustain local traditional arts while raising broad awareness of the quality and value of the region’s traditional culture. Fellows will participate in various professional development, presentation, and showcase opportunities during the one-year grant period.

2025 Bristol Roots Tradition Bearers Fellows:

Benjamin Casteel, Seed Saving & Song-Keeping (Washington Co., Va.)
Amanda Lee Slaughter, Basketry (Wythe Co., Va.)
Jen Otey, Pottery (Wythe Co., Va.)
Mark Archibald, Handweaving (Smyth Co., Va.)
Amanda Sprinkle, Basketry (Washington Co., Va.)
Autumn Roe, Mixed Media Storytelling (Sullivan Co., Tenn.)
Miciah Connors, Windsor Chairmaking & Traditional Green Woodworking (Scott Co., Va.)
Eugene Wolf, Storytelling & Music (Washington Co., Va.)

The Cultural Caretakers Grant is designed to support local organizations, venues, and cultural sites. It focuses on small-scale, largely volunteer-run entities that have difficulty accessing typical sources of public and private funding. Four qualifying community organizations or venues with significant capacity-building or general operating needs have been granted awards up to $5,000 each, representing a $20,000 investment in community cultural infrastructure.

Awardees include:

Settlers Museum Foundation (Smyth Co., Va.)
Museum of Middle Appalachians, The Saltville Foundation (Smyth Co., Va.)
Tanasi Arts & Heritage Center (Unicoi Co., Tenn.)
Philippi Missionary Baptist Church/Odd Fellows Cemetery (Carter Co., Tenn.)

The Bristol Roots Project is a collective of three regional cultural organizations: Birthplace of Country Music Museum, serving as the community anchor venue, the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities, and Create Appalachia. By providing targeted resources and support to area organizations, artists, artisans, and collectives, this project seeks to dramatically increase the sustainability and visibility of traditional practice, cultural knowledge, and vitality in the Greater Bristol community. Bristol Roots is made possible through an initiative by Mid Atlantic Arts through the Central Appalachia Living Traditions (CALT) program.

For more information on this year’s and future funding opportunities, please visit BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org/museum/special-projects/bristol-roots-project or reach out directly via email to BristolRootsProject@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

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.

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.