BCM Grants
BCM Grant Acknowledgments
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The Economic Development Fund of East Tennessee 2022
Date Awarded: September 1st, 2022
Award Amount: $5,000
Description This funding from the East Tennessee Foundation was awarded to support attendance registration costs and expenses for the 2023 American Bus Association Marketplace Conference in Detroit, MI to be held February 4-7, 2023. Attending this conference will strengthen regional economic development by equipping our staff with a networking opportunity that will assist in further promoting our region as a premier tourism destination. ABA features more than 3,500 tour operators, suppliers and exhibitors and is a vibrant forum of buyers and sellers, and includes pre-scheduled appointments with pre-qualified tour operators. ABA includes meetings with operators, networking events, and educational seminars. Training will not only assist BCM, but will provide an impact to the surrounding region to be better equipped to successfully stir tourism and promote positive economic growth and development in our community and beyond.
Additional Information
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND OF EAST TENNESSEE
The Massengill-DeFriece Foundation
Date Awarded: August 8th, 2022
Award Amount: $10,000
Description With this funding from the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum now has phase two of the exhibit planning costs for an upcoming exhibit focused on highlighting women in old-time music funded. This funding will go towards the fabrication costs of the exhibit, including exhibit design, printing and production of exhibit panels and structural elements, production of A/V assets and other production needs. Despite the fact that there are numerous women who made their mark historically in old-time music, and numerous female musicians who are at work in the contemporary old-time genre, the story of old-time music is still primarily told through the work and achievements of male musicians. This exhibit will acknowledge and present that obscured history, but it will also move beyond that to examine the challenges faced by women within the field in the past and today, explore the ways that women have innovated and pushed the boundaries of old-time music, highlight their lasting contributions to the genre, and present their vision for its future. Creating a special exhibit in-house gives us the opportunity to develop the story we want to tell, connect the content more specifically to our overall museum content and to the stories in our local and regional communities, and to engage relevant scholars and musicians in the creation of the exhibit’s content and educational and public programming.
Additional Information
About the Exhibit “Exploring the Infinite Potential of Women in Old-Time Music”
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Arts Fund, East Tennessee Foundation
Date Awarded: July 28th, 2022
Award Amount: $10,000
Description This funding from the East Tennessee Foundation will assist The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in funding phase three of the exhibit planning of an in-house exhibit featuring women in old-time music, planned to open in late 2022. This funding will support phase three of the exhibit planning which included the public programming activities that will go along with the exhibit, enabling the museum to offer a wide range of workshops, performances, online resources, and other programs and make these accessible to a variety of audiences. The Women in Old-Time Music special exhibit and related public programming are important because they will enhance and extend our knowledge and understanding of this important musical heritage, while also helping audiences to explore and appreciate the deeper impact and influence of female musicians, past and present. We aim to create experiences that will present an engaging and meaningful view into women’s history.
Additional Information
About the Exhibit “Exploring the Infinite Potential of Women in Old-Time Music”
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, Artist in Education Grants FY23
Date Awarded: July 26th, 2022
Award Amount: $5,284
Description This funding was granted by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Virginia Commission for the Arts Artist in Education FY23 grant program will benefit the Birthplace of Country Music’s Pick Along Summer Camps at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in July 2022 and June 2023. Pick Along Summer Camps deliver music and museum education through engaging educational camp sessions aimed at beginner and intermediate musicians ages 8—16. In addition to learning about Bristol’s important role in the history of country music, campers learn the basics of traditional stringed instruments and apply the skills they’ve learned with live and on-air performances. Children receive instruction on several of the same style instruments that were used in the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings (including banjo, acoustic guitar and fiddle), explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, learn about the music of Bristol and our region, receive instruction in singing and dancing, get an introduction to our working radio station, and learn about other concepts and disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts Grant Award Announcements
Virginia Commission for the Arts Website
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, General Operating Support Award 2022-23
Date Awarded: July 19th, 2022
Award Amount: $90,400
Description This general operating support funding was granted by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Birthplace of Country Music’s yearly programming and services includes preserving and promoting the region’s music heritage and its impact and legacy; educating audiences through engaging learning experiences; providing resources and opportunities for our local and regional communities; advocating on arts impact; reaching new and underserved audiences; developing partnerships with other organizations; and creating economic benefit for Bristol. This generous funding from Virginia Commission for the Arts is important and will assist and enable BCM to more fully focus on fulfilling our mission, in turn allowing us to continue to deliver and bring significant opportunities and resources to our community and to assist in providing a lasting economic impact.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts Grant Award Announcements
Virginia Commission for the Arts Website
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Alpha Metallurgical Resources Grant Award
Date Awarded: July 6th, 2022
Award Amount: $500
Description Funding in support of general operations of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Additional Information
Alpha Metallurgical Resources Website
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Genan Foundation
Date Awarded: June 30th, 2022
Award Amount: $50,000
Description This grant funding from the Genan Foundation will be used for construction of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s (BCMM) expansion project. In late 2019, BCM was awarded a grant by the Cabell Foundation of Richmond, Virginia in the amount of $275,000 to be used towards a large capital campaign project of expanding the museum. This expansion planning period will be from 2022-2025, and plans include an increased exhibit space for core exhibits, Radio Bristol editing bays, an education space, and storage for archival and collections. Awarded funds from the Genan Foundation will be used as part of the Cabell Foundation’s challenge grant match. This generous funding will support the mission of the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. and will act as a major contributor to the revitalization of downtown Bristol.
Additional Information
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Arts Project Support, Tennessee Arts Commission
Date Awarded: June 15, 2022
Award Amount: $8,300
Description Support from the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Project Support grant program will be used to support artist’s fees for the 21st annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots
Reunion music festival (BRRR) planned for September 9th – 11th, 2022. Funds will be used for artists who will be performing on stages located in Bristol, Tennessee and for the school
performance for Bristol, TN elementary and middle school students on Friday during school hours. The performances for students are provided at no charge to the school or students. BCM is grateful for this generous continued support from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Virginia, FY23 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: May 24th, 2022
Award Amount: $50,000
Description The City of Bristol, Virginia has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY23 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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The Rea Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo
Date Awarded: May 19th, 2022
Award Amount: $5,000
Description The Rea Charitable Trust generously granted $5,000 to the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. in support of organizational operating expenses of the organization, which will continue to make a tangible difference to our work as we strive to enable our staff to better direct expertise, time, and resources towards fulfilling the our mission and delivering high-impact educational opportunities, meaningful programming, and engaging experiences to our community and visitors. The Rea Charitable Trust was created in 2009 with its primary purpose being the promotion of the arts.
Additional Information
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Marketing Leverage Program, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Date Awarded: April 14th, 2022
Award Amount: $5,000
Description Grant funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Program will enable BCM to develop the “Where Country Music Began” marketing campaign to support programming and events at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. This plan will also highlight additional exciting things visitors can do to make the most of their time in Bristol. In 2022, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will showcase two special exhibits: “It’ll Tickle Yore Innards!”: A (Hillbilly) History of Mountain Dew, from February until August; and 1968: A Folsom Redemption, from August until November. It’ll Tickle Yore Innards! explores Mountain Dew’s storied history, which began in the hills of Appalachia. The content also examines the region’s moonshining history and its ever-present “hillbilly” stereotype. The same “hillbilly” stereotype which was very prominent during the 1927 Sessions and its ”hillbilly” records. This campaign will encourage people to visit the museum and will highlight the special exhibits. 1968: A Folsom Redemption is a photographic exhibit based on the work of two journalists who were at Johnny Cash’s historic Folsom Prison concerts.
Additional Information
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Virginia Special Events & Festivals Program, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Date Awarded: April 7th, 2022
Award Amount: $20,000
Description Grant funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Special Events & Festivals Program will enable BCM to develop a marketing program for our festival outside of a 150 mile radius. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (BRRR) is a music festival held annually in downtown Bristol, VA/TN and is produced by the Birthplace of Country Music. The festival began in 2001 and celebrated the 20th anniversary in 2021 and was canceled in 2020 due to the Covid-10 pandemic. The festival has a yearly lineup of over 100 artists, includes a free Children’s Day event on Saturday and vendors line the streets of downtown creating an exciting atmosphere. Typically the festival draws over 40,000 people to our downtown during the second week in September. BCM is excited and expects to return to a close to normal pre-pandemic attendance numbers in 2022 based on early ticket sales to date.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Tennessee, FY22 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: Spring 2022
Award Amount: $30,000
Description The City of Bristol, Tennessee has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY23 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, Technical and Organizational Development Assistance Grant
Date Awarded: February 24, 2022
Award Amount: $750
Description This funding from Virginia Commission for the Arts supported a BCM staff member in attending the Virginia Association of Museums 2022 Conference. This year’s conference theme was “Redefining Museums in Changing Landscapes” and focused on how museums and arts and cultural based organizations can move forward from recent events, including the pandemic, current events and ever changing community needs. Virginia Commission for the Arts receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts
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Sustaining Humanities Through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP), Humanities Tennessee
Date Awarded: December 28th, 2021
Award Amount: $11,936
Description With this funding from Humanities Tennessee, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) was assisted in sustaining essential museum staff positions. In turn, this funding allowed our museum staff to focus on maintaining and building our humanities-focused programs and activities and fulfilling our organizational mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this grant was able to support the museum staff salaries of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, including the positions of the Head Curator, Curatorial Manager, and Digital Media, Programming, & Exhibit Logistics Manager. This need was funded in part by a grant from Humanities Tennessee, an independent affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the NEH Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) initiative.
Additional Information
National Endowment for the Humanities
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The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Date Awarded: December 10th, 2021
Award Amount: $5,500
Description The Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) was awarded $5,500 in grant funding to support and enhance the production and distribution of Radio Bristol’s Farm & Fun Time program, a musical variety program that introduces and familiarizes listeners with contemporary Appalachian culture and music through a variety of segments including storytelling, regional farms visits and live music. BCM used this essential funding to purchase much needed video recording equipment upgrades that is and will continue to enhance the overall production value and distribution capacity of the program.
The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation was established in 1996 by Christian Frederick Martin IV to serve the charitable interests of the Martin Guitar Company. The Foundation’s core principles are to support Martin Guitar’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education, and environmental action organizations. The Foundation does not fund political or religious organizations or activity. The Trustees manage the Foundation’s assets conservatively to allow for long-term planning and seek best value from Foundation grant-making for the people and causes that their grantees serve.
Additional Information
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
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American Rescue Plan for FY22 GOS Grantees, Virginia Commission for The Arts
Date Awarded: November 15th, 2021
Award Amount: $4,500
Description This funding from Virginia Commission for the Arts through the American Rescue Plan, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. was assisted in supporting facilities and utilities costs of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. The museum is located at 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, VA 24201. The funding supported the museum’s utility fees in April 2022 and will part of May 2022. With this funding support allocated directly to offset utility costs of our museum, BCM is able to continue to move forward and plan for our future as an organization in order to fulfil our programming plans and our mission. This funding will assisted in covering the necessary costs associated with keeping the doors of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum open, maintaining all of the museum’s exhibits and collections within temperature and humidity best practices, and creating a safe environment for our staff, volunteers, and visitors through COVID-based health and safety protocols. Virginia Commission for the Arts receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
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Sustaining the Humanities Through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP), Virginia Humanities
Date Awarded: November 3rd, 2021
Award Amount: $17,000
Description The funding was used to support three months of general operations costs at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum facility, assisting BCM to directly offset the costs of our museum location. With this support, BCM was able to continue to move forward and plan for our future as an organization in order to fulfil our humanities programming and our mission. Additionally, this funding also directly benefited the museum’s variety of humanities based programming needs through direct program support. This support has enabled BCM staff to focus on sustaining our humanities-based programming and to address strategic planning and capacity-building needs through the hardships caused by the pandemic. Funding has empowered museum staff to focus their energy and expertise on the important work of the museum so that we can continue to serve our community in meaningful ways.
Additional Information
Nearly $1 million in SHARP Grant Funds Awarded to Organizations Across Virginia
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American Rescue Plan, IMLS
Date Awarded: October 2021
Award Amount: $31,686
Description With this generous support from the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS), The Birthplace of Country Music has been able to provide robust and relevant training opportunities for staff and volunteers that will help them to build capacity, enhance their current expertise and confidence, gain new skills, and be better able to face and successfully solve the challenges that arose – and continue – from the pandemic. Training has included specialized professional development for curatorial staff, organization-wide disaster and first aid training aimed at protecting the museum, its collections, and staff volunteers, and visitors; museum docent training; and conference attendance.
Additional Information
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ARPA, Tennessee State Library and Archives
Date Awarded: October 8th, 2021
Award Amount: $2,869
Description With this funding from the American Rescue Plan Act through the Tennessee State Library and Archives, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum was able to acquire PastPerfect 5, a user-friendly collections management software system, and partially cover the purchase a Dell computer for collection use. Based on PastPerfect’s long tenure as a museum collections tool and the many additions and support options that are available with it, we will be able to transfer our museum collections database into this software to make it more accessible, easier to use by our staff, and up to industry standards.
Additional Information
Tennessee State Library and Archives
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Virginia Humanities Rolling Grant Program Award
Date Awarded: July 1st, 2021
Award Amount: $10,000
Description This program, The Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s upcoming Women in Old-Time Music special museum exhibit, is sponsored by Virginia Humanities. The upcoming exhibit will feature several female musicians in the genre, past and present, and it will explore their impact and achievements, the challenges they’ve faced in a male-dominated field, their role in keeping the old-time music tradition alive, and the ways that they are innovating and pushing the genre’s boundaries. This grant will support phase one of the exhibit planning and content development. BCM staff will work with several external collaborators – scholars, historians, and musicians, and all mostly female – to develop the exhibit content and create an exhibit plan and script. The project will also include initial discussion of public programming, educational resources, and digital assets, along with the outline and sourcing of images, objects, and A/V elements, and early graphic design work. The Women in Old-Time Music special exhibit will benefit the museum’s local and regional community, scholars, visitors and tourists, and musicians, providing an engaging and meaningful opportunity to explore this important musical heritage and piece of women’s history. The exhibit is planned to open at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in December 2022 and be on display through September 2023.
Additional Information
Check out this article from Virginia Humanities to learn more about this phase of the exhibit. Exploring the Infinite Potential of Women in Old-Time Music: An interview with Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s head curator Rene Rodgers and grants coordinator Toni Doman about the upcoming exhibit Women in Old-Time Music
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Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant Program, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration
Date Awarded: July 2021
Award Amount: $70,000
Description On October 7th, 2020, Governor Bill Lee announced the creation of the Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program, a small business relief program designed to reimburse eligible business owners for direct expenses or business interruption costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. was generously funded in the amount of $70,000 through this COVID-19 business relief program.
Additional Information
Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant Program
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Nonprofit Security Grant Program 2021, Virginia Department of Emergency Services (VDEM)
Date Awarded: July 2021
Award Amount: $90,410
Description With this funding, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. is able to increase the overall security to better festival goers, patrons, volunteers, performers, contracted laborers, and staff for the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (BRRR) yearly music festival. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is an annual music festival that takes place in downtown Bristol VA/TN. The Festival, now its 20th year, has traditionally been held on the third weekend in September, but in 2020 and going forward, the Bristol NASCAR race that previously took place in August has been moved to the third week in September. The name of the Festival – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – is of great significance:
Bristol – The Festival is to celebrate and promote Bristol and Bristol’s role in the history of American Music
Rhythm – The Festival is focused on the rhythms of diverse, but nevertheless related, genres of music
Roots – The Festival celebrates and creates awareness of the deep musical roots established at the 1927 Bristol Sessions
Reunion – The Festival reunites Bristol families and friends, brings musicians from all over America together (with occasional performances by international artists),
and is an event that entices friends from various parts of the country to meet in Bristol to be together and enjoy the music
Additional Information
Virginia Department of Emergency Services
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The Massengill-DeFriece Foundation
Date Awarded: July 2021
Award Amount: $9,000
Description With this funding from the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation, a private foundation located in Bristol, TN, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. was able to support the residencies of VMFA on the Road: An Artmobile for the 21st Century and a special museum exhibit The Way We Worked, both at the museum in 2021. The VMFA Artmobile travels across Virginia each year, bringing paintings, photographs, woodblock prints, and engravings from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts’ permanent collection to venues throughout the state. The Way We Worked, an exhibit from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, explores how work became such a central element in American culture by tracing the many changes that affected the workforce and work environments over the past 150 years. With this support, BCM is enabled in bringing museum learning and outreach to an area that does not have many resources of this kind. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum is thankful for this generous continued support from the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation.
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Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant Program (SERG), Tennessee Dept. of Finance & Administration
Date Awarded: July 2021
Award Amount: $30,500
Description On October 7th, 2020, Governor Bill Lee announced the creation of the Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant (SERG) program, a small business relief program designed to reimburse eligible business owners for direct expenses or business interruption costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Birthplace of Country Music has received $30,500 from this fund in support of COVID-19 recovery efforts.
Additional Information
Supplemental Employer Recovery Grant Program
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, Artist in Education Grants FY22
Date Awarded: June 28th, 2021
Award Amount: $2,813
Description This funding was granted by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Virginia Commission for the Arts Artist in Education FY22 grant program will benefit the Birthplace of Country Music’s Pick Along Summer Camps at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in June 2023. Pick Along Summer Camps deliver music and museum education through engaging educational camp sessions aimed at beginner and intermediate musicians ages 8—16. In addition to learning about Bristol’s important role in the history of country music, campers learn the basics of traditional stringed instruments and apply the skills they’ve learned with live and on-air performances. Children receive instruction on several of the same style instruments that were used in the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings (including banjo, acoustic guitar and fiddle), explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, learn about the music of Bristol and our region, receive instruction in singing and dancing, get an introduction to our working radio station, and learn about other concepts and disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts Website
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, General Operating Support Award 2021-22
Date Awarded: June 28th, 2021
Award Amount: $59,000
Description This general operating support funding was granted by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Birthplace of Country Music’s yearly programming and services includes preserving and promoting the region’s music heritage and its impact and legacy; educating audiences through engaging learning experiences; providing resources and opportunities for our local and regional communities; advocating on arts impact; reaching new and underserved audiences; developing partnerships with other organizations; and creating economic benefit for Bristol. This generous funding from Virginia Commission for the Arts is important and will assist and enable BCM to more fully focus on fulfilling our mission, in turn allowing us to continue to deliver and bring significant opportunities and resources to our community and to assist in providing a lasting economic impact.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts Website
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Arts Project Support, Tennessee Arts Commission
Date Awarded: June 23, 2021
Award Amount: $9,700
Description Support from the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Arts Project Support grant program was originally awarded to support artist’s fees for the 20th annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival (BRRR) planned for September 11th – 13th, 2021. Funds were used for artists who performed on stages located in Bristol, Tennessee and for the school
performance for Bristol, TN elementary and middle school students on Friday during school hours. The performances for students are provided at no charge to the school or students. BCM is grateful for this generous continued support from the Tennessee Arts Commission.
Additional Information
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Charites Aid Foundation American Donor Fund (Gentlemen of the Road Fund)
Date Awarded: June 6th, 2021
Award Amount: $7,256.15
Description The Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. was excited to have been contacted by and learn about the CAF American Donor Fund and Gentlemen of the Road Fund. This service has been a welcomed and valuable benefit to our organization in the wake of the pandemic is integral to our sustainability and success enabling us to create and deliver a wide variety of programs that have direct impact to our audiences.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Virginia, FY22 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: Spring 2021
Award Amount: $7,500
Description The City of Bristol, Virginia has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY23 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Tennessee, FY22 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: Spring 2021
Award Amount: $20,000
Description The City of Bristol, Tennessee has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY22 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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IBMA Foundation, Project Grants
Date Awarded: February 1st, 2021
Award Amount: $2,000
Description The Birthplace of Country Music’s Pick Along Summer Camp program is funded in part by the IBMA Foundation’s project grant program. Due to COVID-19, BCMM had to cancel summer camps in 2020, and planned for camps in 2021, but ultimately due to the COVID again had to cancel. The IBMA Foundation has graciously allowed BCM to allocate this funding to support camps in 2022. BCM has excitedly welcomed the return of our unique “Pick Along Summer Camps” at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum held in June and July 2022. Pick Along Camps provide a fun educational experience like no other in our region. In addition to learning about Bristol’s important role in the history of country music, kids learn the basics of traditional stringed instruments and apply the skills they’ve learned with live and on-air performances. Children receive instruction on several of the same style instruments that were used in the historic 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings (including banjo, acoustic guitar and fiddle), in addition to learning fundamental skills in music styles including bluegrass, old-time, and country. Campers explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, learn about the music of Bristol and our region, receive instruction in singing and dancing, get an introduction to our working radio station, and learn about other concepts and disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.
Foundation’s logo use is provided by the IBMA Foundation
Additional Information
IBMA Foundation Website
Press Release
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Virginia Commission for the Arts, General Operating Support Award 2021-22
Date Awarded: July 30th, 2020
Award Amount: $57,020
Description This general operating support funding was granted by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. The Birthplace of Country Music’s yearly programming and services includes preserving and promoting the region’s music heritage and its impact and legacy; educating audiences through engaging learning experiences; providing resources and opportunities for our local and regional communities; advocating on arts impact; reaching new and underserved audiences; developing partnerships with other organizations; and creating economic benefit for Bristol. This generous funding from Virginia Commission for the Arts is important and will assist and enable BCM to more fully focus on fulfilling our mission, in turn allowing us to continue to deliver and bring significant opportunities and resources to our community and to assist in providing a lasting economic impact.
Additional Information
Virginia Commission for the Arts Website
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The Massengill-DeFriece Foundation
Date Awarded: June 23rd, 2020
Award Amount: $5,000
Description With this funding from the Massengill-DeFriece Foundation , a private foundation located in Bristol, TN, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. was able to make technology and equipment purchase a replacement projectors needed for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s performance theater.
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CARES ACT, Humanities Tennessee
Date Awarded: June 24th, 2020
Award Amount: $5,000
Description Humanities Tennessee is pleased to offer assistance to humanities organizations in Tennessee as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) passed by Congress in March of 2020. These grants are intended to provide general operating support during a period of financial hardship caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic. This relief funding assisted in supporting administrative costs during the pandemic.
Additional Information
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Rural Business Development Grants 2020, USDA
Date Awarded: June 5th, 2020
Award Amount: $38,500
Description This program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas which will employ 50 or fewer new employees and has less than $1 million in gross revenue. With this funding through the USDA, the Birthplace of Country Music was able to make extensive updates and launch a new organizational website. BCM has grown and evolved as an organization since launching its current website five years ago, as well has its marketing messaging, imagery, and brand. The BCM website boasts a wealth of information and is subdivided into several categories. The museum section engages with heritage site travelers from all around the world and details hours of operation; driving directions; admission rates; exhibit information; event schedules; etc. The festival section features a ticket sales platform; artist lineup with band bios and schedules; things to do at the festival; places to eat and stay in the region; how to sign up to volunteer; and plenty more. The Radio section of the website allows users to stream Radio Bristol content from anywhere and promotes upcoming events and live on-air programs.
Additional Information
USDA Rural Business Development Grant
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Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative
Date Awarded: June 4th, 2020
Award Amount: $500
Description With this funding, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will apply the funding to host a Smithsonian speaker in support of the American Women’s History Initiative and the companion publication, Smithsonian American Women.
Additional Information
Smithsonian: Because of Her Story
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CARES ACT Funding, Virginia Humanities
Date Awarded: May 14th, 2020
Award Amount: $10,000
Description In the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Congress allocated $75 million to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to help buttress the economic health and viability of our nation’s cultural institutions. Thanks to the NEH and NEH Chairman Jon Peede’s belief in the importance of the public humanities and the kind of work you do, they distributed over $600,000 to Virginia Humanities, most of which will be awarded as general operating support grants to cultural non-profits in the Commonwealth.
Additional Information
Announcing $599K in CARES Act Grants
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The Rea Charitable Trust, Wells Fargo
Date Awarded: May 5th, 2020
Award Amount: $5,000
Description The Rea Charitable Trust generously granted $5,000 to the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. in support of organizational operating expenses of the organization, which will continue to make a tangible difference to our work as we strive to enable our staff to better direct expertise, time, and resources towards fulfilling the our mission and delivering high-impact educational opportunities, meaningful programming, and engaging experiences to our community and visitors. The Rea Charitable Trust was created in 2009 with its primary purpose being the promotion of the arts.
Additional Information
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Arts Project Support, Tennessee Arts Commission
Date Awarded: May 2020
Award Amount: $6,089
Description This grant funding was originally awarded to Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) by the Tennessee Arts Commission to support artist fees for the 2020 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 festival was cancelled and therefore no artist fees have been incurred. At the time that the festival cancellation was announced, there were plans underway to hold a series of socially distanced concerts so that BCM could continue to promote and support the arts in Northeast Tennessee. With growing concern for the safety of anyone involved and after careful consideration of all possibilities, planning for this concert series was abandoned. Following the Tennessee Arts Commission guidelines, BCM used this grant funding to assist in covering costs accrued with technical services for the BCM administration building offices.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Virginia, FY22 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: Spring 2020
Award Amount: $1,750
Description The City of Bristol, Virginia has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY22 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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City of Bristol, Tennessee, Community Development Grant Division (CDBG)
Date Awarded: Spring 2020
Award Amount: $2,500
Description The Birthplace of Country Music is received $2,500 from the Bristol, TN Community Development Grant Division (CBDG) to be used for supplies necessary for the purpose of preventing, preparing and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. These supplies consisted of but are not limited to, face shields, disposable masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, microfiber cloths, screen cleaner, Stylus’s for touch screens, touchless thermometers, and additional cleaning supplies. These supplies were used by the Birthplace of Country Music at the Museum and the administrative offices. During this time, BCM has implemented a reopening planning and procedure plan to address items and steps needed to protect our employees and patrons as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional Information
Community Development Grant Division (CDBG)
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City of Bristol, Tennessee, FY21 General Operating Support
Date Awarded: Spring 2020
Award Amount: $30,000
Description The City of Bristol, Tennessee has supported the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. for FY22 general operating support. With the economic impact that BCM is able to provide to the entire region, this funding will continue to allow BCM to pursue our mission and continue to provide positive impact to our community and region. The mission of the Birthplace of Country Music is to perpetuate, promote, and celebrate Bristol’s rich musical heritage; to educate and engage audiences worldwide regarding the history, impact and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions; and to create recognition, opportunities, and economic benefit for our local and regional communities.
Additional Information
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Wayne Henderson Music Scholarships and Grants 2020
Date Awarded: March 14th, 2020
Award Amount: $1,000
Description This funding was awarded to support the Birthplace of Country Music’s Pick Along Summer Camp program in scheduled for June and July of 2020. Due to COVID-19, BCM had to cancel summer camps in 2020, and had planned for camps in 2021, but ultimately due to the COVID again had to cancel. The Wayne Henderson Music Scholarships and Grant program has graciously allowed BCM to allocate this funding to support camps in June and July of 2022,. BCM has eagerly welcomed the return of this enriching camp program.
Additional Information
Wayne C. Henderson Scholarships and Grants
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Nonprofit Security Grant Program 2020, Virginia Department of Emergency Services (VDEM)
Date Awarded: October 2020
Award Amount: $51,050
Description With this funding, the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. is able to increase the overall security to better festival goers, patrons, volunteers, performers, contracted laborers, and staff for the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (BRRR) yearly music festival. The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is an annual music festival that takes place in downtown Bristol VA/TN. The Festival, now its 20th year, has traditionally been held on the third weekend in September, but in 2020 and going forward, the Bristol NASCAR race that previously took place in August has been moved to the third week in September. The name of the Festival – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – is of great significance:
Bristol – The Festival is to celebrate and promote Bristol and Bristol’s role in the history of American Music
Rhythm – The Festival is focused on the rhythms of diverse, but nevertheless related, genres of music
Roots – The Festival celebrates and creates awareness of the deep musical roots established at the 1927 Bristol Sessions
Reunion – The Festival reunites Bristol families and friends, brings musicians from all over America together (with occasional performances by international artists),
and is an event that entices friends from various parts of the country to meet in Bristol to be together and enjoy the music
Additional Information
Virginia Department of Emergency Services
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The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
Date Awarded: December 26th, 2020
Award Amount: $5,000
Description The Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) was awarded $5,000 in grant funding to support and enhance the production and distribution of Radio Bristol’s Farm & Fun Time program, a musical variety program that introduces and familiarizes listeners with contemporary Appalachian culture and music through a variety of segments including storytelling, regional farms visits and live music. BCM used this funding to purchase much needed video recording equipment upgrades that is and will continue to enhance the overall production value and distribution capacity of the program.
The Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation was established in 1996 by Christian Frederick Martin IV to serve the charitable interests of the Martin Guitar Company. The Foundation’s core principles are to support Martin Guitar’s engagement with nonprofit music, arts, education, and environmental action organizations. The Foundation does not fund political or religious organizations or activity. The Trustees manage the Foundation’s assets conservatively to allow for long-term planning and seek best value from Foundation grant-making for the people and causes that their grantees serve.
Additional Information
Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation
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Rebuild Virginia Grant Program 2020, Virginia Small Business Financing Authority
Date Awarded: December 10th, 2020
Award Amount: $100,000
Description In July 2020, Former Governor Northam announced the Rebuild VA Economic Recovery Fund for small businesses and non-profits whose operations were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Commonwealth has awarded $140 million in funding to over 3,500 small businesses and non-profits. The Birthplace of Country Music has received funding in support of staff payroll expenses from this pandemic relief program.
Additional Information
Rebuild Virginia Grant Program
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Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust
Date Awarded: December 9th, 2020
Award Amount: $30,190
Description With this generous funding from the Richard & Caroline T. Gwathmey Memorial Trust, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum has created tan extensive educational resource that are shared with our local and regional school systems, used to supplement school visits to the museum, and offered as part of our outreach and public programming. The funding will supported the coordination of a planning group to develop and create several lesson plans along with related teacher resources, student activities, and materials; the development of virtual teacher “out-service” or on-site in-service opportunities to explain and share our educational resources with the local and regional educator community; and coverage of various budgetary needs geared toward the use of digital/virtual platforms and on-site costs.
Additional Information
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Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund, East Tennessee Foundation
Date Awarded: December 4th, 2020
Award Amount: $5,000
Description The Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund provides timely disaster grants to nonprofit organizations in our 25-county region in East Tennessee and is currently activated for the COVID-19 National Emergency. East Tennessee Foundation seeks to provide emergency funds to nonprofit organizations to meet some of the critical needs created by COVID-19. The Birthplace of Country Music has received $5,000 to assist in general operations from this fund in support of COVID-19 recovery efforts.
Additional Information
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Marketing Leverage Program, Virginia Tourism Corporation
Date Awarded: December 2020
Award Amount: $20,000
Description Grant funding from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s Marketing Leverage Program will enable BCM to develop our “Walk the Line” spring marketing campaign to support programming and events at the Birthplace of Country Music. The meaning behind the name Walk the Line in this campaign references the iconic country song “Walk the
Line” by Johnny Cash, as well as it references that Bristol is located in two states and visitors can walk the “state” line on State Street in Virginia and Tennessee in Downtown Bristol.
Additional Information
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Firefighters Charitable Foundation
Date Awarded: December 30, 2020
Award Amount: $300
Description The Firefighters Charitable Foundation’s primary focus is to provide financial assistance to individuals who have been affected by a fire or disaster, and to support other charities, institutions, and volunteer fire departments. This funding was used to assist in partial costs to purchase two AED machines for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum location.
Additional Information
Firefighters Charitable Foundation
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