Selected by an expert panel and voted by readers,the annualBristol Rhythm & Roots Reunionmusic festival and theBirthplace of Country Music Museumare listed among the very best in the country in separate USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice travel polls. Located inhistoric downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee, these cultural touchstones have captured the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide.
"We are immensely proud to receive these prestigious accolades from USA Today and their readers," said Paula Hurt, Managing Director of the Birthplace of Country Music, the parent nonprofit of the festival and museum. "This recognition underscores our commitment to celebrating and preserving the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, ensuring that future generations continue to be inspired by our region's music heritage."
Here's a look at USA Today's 10Best polling results:
"Best Music Festival"
1. Joshua Tree Music Festival
2. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
3. CMA Fest
4. Island Hopper Songwriting Fest
5. Monterey Jazz Festival
6. Electric Forest
7. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival
8. Sea.Hear.Now Festival
9. Austin City Limits Music Festival
10. Newport Jazz Festival
"Best Music Museum"
1. Johnny Cash Museum
2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
3. The Museum at Bethel Woods
4. Woody Guthrie Center
5. Grammy Museum L.A. Live
6. Grammy Museum Mississippi
7. Patsy Cline Museum
8. Birthplace of Country Music Museum
9. Musical Instrument Museum
10. The Blue Ridge Music Center
USA Today has heralded Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion as one of the "Best Music Festivals" in the U.S. Drawing fans from all over the world each year, this acclaimed event showcases a vibrant tapestry of Americana, bluegrass, folk, and rock music, and more, illuminating the diverse sounds that define the musical landscape of the Appalachian region and beyond. Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion celebrates its 23rd anniversary in downtown this year, Sept.13-15.
Named among the Top 10 "Best Music Museums," the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and stands as a beacon of American music heritage. Exploring the legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings, this interactive museum offers visitors an immersive journey into the roots of country music through captivating exhibits, interactive displays, and multi-media experiences. The museum also features a working community radio station, WBCM Radio Bristol.
