Ashley McBride
Plan your strategy for the 23rd annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival. The event’s free mobile app has dropped, along with the full schedule, and single day passes are on sale. The three-day event is slated for Sept. 13-15 along State Street, where Tennessee and Virginia meet in celebration of the 1927 Bristol Sessions which are credited with creating the “big bang of country music.” Produced by the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music and presented by Ballad Health, Bristol Rhythm is among USA Today’s top 10 music festivals in the country.
Friday headliners Ashley McBryde, The Red Clay Strays, Wilderado, Jaime Wyatt and Bella White take the main stages following an afternoon of bluegrass, under-the-radar indie-rock, and zesty Zydeco Ya-Ya. Stamina is required to navigate Saturday’s marathon of music, which features 49 Winchester, The Wallflowers, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Brittney Spencer, Drayton Farley, Silverada and Hannah Dasher - plus WBCM Radio Bristol’s Farm & Fun Time live variety show. The good vibes continue on Sunday with Sam Bush, The Steel Drivers, Grace Bowers,The Waybacks, Stephen Day, the return of Hoot & Holler Storytelling, and much more.
Festival goers are invited to visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Located just steps away from festival gates, the museum hosts the special exhibit “Songwriter,” a “documentary of portraits” featuring artists such as Willie Nelson, Taylor Swift, John Prine, George Strait, Jelly Roll, Keb Mo and many more. Museum tickets sold separately.
Children’s Day is a family affair on Saturday morning with games, crafts, live entertainment and activities. Held at Anderson Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., kids of all ages are invited to take part in Art the Dude’s Hohner Harmonica Workshop and Anne Buckle’s “Firefly” book reading and song. Enjoy special performances by Bristol Academy of Music, Bristol Ballet Company, Junior Appalachian Musicians (JamKids) and more. Children’s Day is free and open to the public; you do not need a festival pass to attend.
Single day passes are $80 (+ tax/fee), Weekend passes are $145 (+ tax/fee). Prices go up at the gate. VIP passes offer an array of exclusive perks such as private brunch performances, VIP lounge access, special seating and more. Choose from glamping at Nicewonder Farm & Vineyards, lodging packages at The Bristol Hotel, rustic glamping at Stickley Farm - complete with a corn maze - or RV camping at Hicks White Top Campground. Lodging VIP packages at The Sessions Hotel are sold out. Purchase while supplies last at BristolRhythm.com.
Applications to become a volunteer at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are online. To sign up, purchase tickets, or for more information, visit BristolRhythm.com or download the free festival mobile app.
