Faith Hill's 1960 convertible Corvette (photo provided)
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Bristol, Virginia, offers much more than gaming to the community. The company operates more than 300 venues in more than 70 counties, including cafés, hotels, casinos, rock shops and performance spaces.
“Everything we do is grounded in music and memorabilia, guided by our mottos: ‘Love All, Serve All,’ ‘Take Time to be Kind,’ ‘Save the Planet’ and ‘All is One,’” says Darin Cralle, director of entertainment.
Visitors who want to view the memorabilia collection or eat in any of the restaurants can explore without visiting the gaming room. The memorabilia is open to everyone, like a self-guided music museum. Guests can explore displays in the hotel lobby, Marketplace, Constant Grind, Rock Shop and other public areas at no cost. Some displays are in areas designated for 21 and older individuals per Virginia regulations, but there’s plenty for all ages to enjoy in non-gaming spaces.
There are two Rock Shops open to the public. One Rock Shop is downstairs and is open to all ages. The other is on the gaming floor for ages 21 and older. Each features Hard Rock merchandise, collectible pins and gifts. Hours are posted on the website, casino.hardrock.com/Bristol, and guests are welcome during operating hours.
Hard Rock’s memorabilia collection began when Eric Clapton donated a guitar to the first Hard Rock Cafe — starting a tradition of freely-donated memorabilia from artists worldwide. Today they have 87,000+ pieces and keep adding more all the time, so there’s always something new to discover. The memorabilia is curated and preserved by Hard Rock’s team in Hollywood, Florida, who oversee rotation and care for the collection worldwide.
A few of the favorites in the Bristol casino include Dolly Parton’s custom Trang Phung dress (Wendy Williams Show), Johnny Cash’s “Man in Black” ensemble, Lady Gaga’s London appearance dress, Stevie Nicks’s autographed pearl-trimmed glove, Farm Aid XI guitar signed by Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, Steven Tyler’s Back in the Saddle Tour outfits, Elvis Presley handwritten set list and Faith Hill’s 1960 convertible Corvette. “State Stree” is a corridor with artists from Tennessee on one side and those from Virginia on the other. The portraits are accompanied by memorabilia, such as gold records, set lists and more.
