The 1927 Bristol Sessions and Beyond
An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the award-winning Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia tells the story of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions – the event in history scholars refer to as the “big bang” of country music – and their lasting impact on the music of today.
About the Museum
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum explores how evolving sound technology shaped the success of the 1927 Bristol Sessions and highlights how this rich musical heritage still thrives in the Appalachian region and beyond. Through multiple theater experiences, interactive and stationary displays – along with a variety of educational programs, music performances, and community events – the exciting story of these recording sessions and their far-reaching influence comes alive. Rotating exhibitions from guest curators and other institutions, including the Smithsonian, are featured throughout the year in the Special Exhibits Gallery. The museum also houses a collection of related objects, photographs, ephemera, and a digital archive.
From Pick Along Summer Camps and student field trips to online activities and classroom resources for teachers, the Museum offers a wide variety of educational and outreach programming for the community year-round.
The story of the 1927 Bristol Sessions comes alive through our interactive permanent exhibits, and the Museum also features a wide range of temporary exhibits in our Special Exhibits Gallery.
The collections at the museum—including documents and ephemera, photographs, recordings, instruments, and recording equipment—extend far beyond the artifacts currently displayed in our exhibit space.
An online museum experience that includes fun virtual tours, student activities, and other video content that’s not only educational, but also entertaining.
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Logan Fritz
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Instrumental History: Inspired by Jimmie Rodgers Martin 000-45 Guitar
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Radio Bristol’s Top Albums of 2022
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Florencia & the Feeling
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Radio Bristol Book Club: Songteller – My Life in Lyrics
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The Root of It: George Jackson on Ed Haley
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A Big Festival ‘Thank You!’: Gratitude Playlist Included!
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Ed Snodderly
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Radio Bristol Book Club: Hear My Sad Story: The True Tales That Inspired “Stagolee,” “John Henry,” and Other Traditional American Folk Songs
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The Root of It: Brad Kolodner on Clyde Davenport
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Anya Hinkle
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Radio Bristol Book Club: The Carter Family – Don’t Forget This Song
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Tintype Photography: A Bridge from the Past to the Present
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The Root of It: Nora Brown on Lee Sexton
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From The Vault: The 1927 Sears, Roebuck Catalogue
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Shay Martin Lovette
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Radio Bristol Book Club: Weaver’s Daughter
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Radio Bristol Spotlight: Adam Bolt
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Radio Bristol Book Club: Sharyn McCrumb’s Appalachia
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Will the Circle Be Unbroken? A Personal Commentary on the Cycle of Various Changes in Country Music
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June Carter Cash: A Life in Country Music
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International Guitar Month Part 2: Jimmie Rodgers’ Oscar Schmidt Guitar
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International Guitar Month Part 1: Guitars of the Carter Family
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Meet the women behind the Birthplace of Country Music
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The Importance of Intergenerational Learning
