Appalachia on Record – The Rich-R-Tone / Folk Star Story Panel Discussion

Radio Bristol is excited to present the Radio Bristol Record Expo on April 11, 2026, hosted at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in downtown Bristol. This event is a celebration of radio culture, community broadcasting, music discovery, and independent voices. During the event, we will be holding a special panel discussion titled Appalachia on Record – The Rich-R-Tone / Folk Star Story, moderated by Kris Truelsen.

Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Location: Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Address: 101 Country Music Way, Bristol, Va.
Panel Discussion: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

About the Panelists:

Matteo Ringressi was born in the small town of Forlì, Italy. He has performed in 17 different countries all over the world, from Europe to the USA and even Russia, and played the major festivals and events of the Country and Rock-A-Billy scene.  Matt’s interest in mid-century Country music isn’t limited to performing. He has dedicated himself to in-depth research in the field, with a focus on lesser-known, regional Blue Grass bands of the 1940s and 1950s, and the labels that preserved their music. Matt is an avid record collector with one of the most complete collections of small-label Blue Grass 78RPM records in Europe, and he’s in the process of completing a discographical work on the subject.

Dr. Ted Olson is a professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University. A nine-time Grammy nominee as a music historian, he has produced and curated approximately 25 albums that document and celebrate Appalachian music.

Lonnie Salyer, a.k.a. Big Lon, discovers the musical heritage of Appalachia one dusty old record at a time. He collects 45rpm and 78rpm records from the independent studios and record labels in East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and the surrounding region. He hosts “Diggin’ With Big Lon”, a weekly vinyl record show, on WBCM Radio Bristol as well as the Kingsport Fun Fest Big Lon’s Vinyl Record Expo. He was pivotal in helping gather rare records, information and financial commitments to make the Bear Family Rich-R-Tone Box Set a reality.

Abe Partridge is a heralded musician, singer/songwriter, visual artist, storyteller and documentarian based in Mobile, Alabama. Since the release of his debut album Cotton Fields and Blood for Days in 2018, Partridge has toured relentlessly, including several tours throughout Europe. He is a regular at several great music festivals such as the 30a Songwriters Fest, and the Laurel Cove Music Fest as well as listening rooms across the country including the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, Eddies Attic in Atlanta, and Duke’s in Indianapolis. Recently, he toured extensively with Matthew Sweet, Drivin’ N Cryin’, and Dar Williams in support of his latest release Love in the Dark. He has performed on several syndicated NPR radio programs including, Mountain Stage and Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. 

Following the panel discussion, there will be live music featuring regional artists Lightnin’ Charlie, Abe Partridge, and Bailey George. Musicians will be playing music from the Rich-R-Tone catalog.

ABOUT RADIO BRISTOL

Radio Bristol is a community‐powered public radio station dedicated to celebrating and preserving the roots of American music while amplifying new and diverse voices. Broadcasting
from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Radio Bristol serves the region and listeners around the world through FM and online streaming.

Questions or Sponsorships?
Contact: Kris Truelsen, Radio Bristol Program Director
Email: KTruelsen@BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org

Sign Up to Vend at the Record Expo here.