With 2026 marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum wanted to find a way to connect to that history through their favorite thing: music. The result is “Songs of the Revolution(s),” an original production created in partnership with the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy and Theatre Bristol.
“Songs of the Revolution(s)” explores revolutionary moments in America’s and Virginia’s history through song and spoken word – from the American Revolution and the struggles for civil rights and women’s suffrage, to the evolution of industry and innovation, to sacrifice and service in many spheres of American life, to the connections between people and communities that make our nation stronger and more vibrant.
For instance, Florence Reece’s “Which Side Are You On?,” a protest song written during conflict between mine owners and workers in 1930s Kentucky, is as relevant to the Pittston Strike in Southwest Virginia in 1989–1990 when workers, retirees and widows fought to retain health and retirement benefits. Blind Alfred Reed, a 1927 Bristol Sessions artist, recorded his original song “How Can a Poor Man Stand Such Times and Live?” in December 1929, reflecting the hard times of the Great Depression. One way we “stand such times and live” is through art and culture. Robert Porterfield’s founding of the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, in the 1930s, and his offering of theater tickets in exchange for food enabled hard-hit folks to find some emotional sustenance in the seats in front of the Barter stage. The fourth verse of “Highwayman” by The Highwaymen proclaims, “I’ll fly a starship across the universe divide,” giving the “Songs of the Revolution(s)” planners a chance to connect the song to the story of Katherine Johnson, one of NASA’s most brilliant “human computers” who taught math in a Marion, Virginia, segregated school before her days at the aerospace agency.
“With this concert, we were inspired to use music as a lens into history over the last 250 years,” said the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s Director Dr. René Rodgers. “We have been fortunate to work with amazing partners and artists to create an uplifting and engaging evening of storytelling and song.”
This performance has been in the works over the past year after the museum and its partners received a VA250 grant from Virginia Humanities, with further support coming in from Virginia Tourism Corporation, the City of Bristol, Virginia, and the United Company Foundation. Meeting regularly, staff from BCMM, the Crooked Road, MECCA and Theatre Bristol – along with community members and musicians – worked to weave together interesting history and inspiring songs into an impactful program. Needless to say, it was challenging to keep the show’s run time to two hours.
Along with the musical pieces noted above, “Songs of the Revolution(s)” includes a “Hamilton” mash-up with performers coordinated by award-winning cellist Dave Eggar, a rendition of “Kings Mountain” by the MECCA Men with banjo accompaniment by Tyler Hughes, “I’m the Man That Built the Bridges” by Freddy Heath, “Keep Marching” from the musical “Suffs” with MECCA’s Bella Voce, the YWCA TechGYRLS, and Floreñcia Rusinol, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by the Lee Street Baptist Church choir, “16 Tons” by Richard Albright, and many other beloved and powerful songs, stories and inspiring patriotic favorites. Spoken word narratives providing historical context have been written by former educator David Winship.
“Songs of the Revolution(s)” is held Friday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. at the Cameo Theatre, located at 703 State Street, Bristol, Virginia. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased via Theatre Bristol’s website.
