Birthplace of Country Music
In 1927 Ralph Peer from the Victor Talking Machine Company traveled to Bristol on the advice of early mountain music recording artist Ernest “Pop” Stoneman. During his stay in Bristol, Peer recorded 76 songs by 19 artists in one of the most significant field recordings of early country music. These historic “Bristol Sessions” launched the careers of the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, the Stoneman Family, and other pioneers of the modern country music movement. The event has been called by historians the “big bang of country music.”
Because of that event, in 1998 the U.S. Congress recognized Bristol as the official Birthplace of Country Music. Today the Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is helping keep the area’s musical traditions alive by planning for a new cultural heritage center in historic downtown Bristol. Bristol remains true to its roots with live music performances through out the year.
