Los Lobos
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, a division of the nonprofit Birthplace of Country Music, returns to State Street in historic downtown Bristol, Sept. 11-13, boasting a stellar lineup including headliners Sierra Ferrell, Old Crow Medicine Show, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Los Lobos and The War and Treaty, plus legendary favorites Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives and The Del McCoury Band, and emerging artists Mon Rovîa, The Creekers, Trousdale and The Band Loula.
The festival showcases a large lineup of local artists as well. “Since the very beginning 25 years ago, the robust music communities of Bristol and the surrounding Appalachian region are the lifeblood of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion,” said Festival Director Richard Oakley. “From well-known hometown heroes, to regional up-and-comers that are ready to take-off, we take great pride in showcasing a diverse cross-section of the best and brightest artists that our mountains have to offer.”
Special collaborative performances help mark the festival’s 25th anniversary. On Friday afternoon, Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo open the State Street Stage together for a special Anniversary Jam. Friday evening, German music producer and songwriter Toby Gad and Bristol’s own cellist and composer Dave Eggar are at Paramount Bristol with The Hitmaker Sessions featuring many special guests. Also on Saturday evening, Big Daddy Love’s Mo-Grass takes the Country Mural Stage.
Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time takes over the Paramount Stage Saturday evening with house band Kris Truelsen & Country Casserole and special guests for a live recording. Hosted by Kris Truelsen, the popular re-imagining of the classic WCYB program serves as the official 25th Anniversary Celebration of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion during the festival, with musical guests Cruz Contreras & The Black Lillies, Trousdale and The Band Loula starting at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
Also returning to Bristol Rhythm, VMFA on the Road provides visitors the opportunity to see and experience authentic works of art from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This state-of-the-art experience is an Artmobile for the 21st century. By way of VMFA’s Statewide Partners program, which includes 1,000 community centers, small museums, colleges and universities, VMFA on the Road brings enriching art experiences to thousands — literally meeting people where they are. This state-of-the-art mobile museum and education studio is at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and open to school groups, drop-in visitors and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion festivalgoers for several days in September.
New this year to the festival offerings, The Bristol Roots Project promotes and supports folk arts and culture in the Greater Bristol community by providing targeted resources and support to area organizations, artists, artisans and collectives with the goal of dramatically increasing the sustainability and visibility of traditional practice, cultural knowledge and regional vitality. Ongoing traditional craft and artisan demonstrations by various Bristol Roots Tradition Bearer Fellows take place during the Bristol Roots Showcase at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion and include basketmaking, woodworking, weaving, broommaking demos and more. The showcase is held in front of The Bristol Hotel which is inside the festival perimeter.
The Birthplace of Country Music looks forward to welcoming members of the Bristol community and beyond back to historic downtown for the 25th anniversary of the award-winning music festival, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Sept. 11-13. Tickets and more info can be found online at www.BristolRhythm.com.
