The Birthplace of Country Music Allaince is a nonprofit grassroots organization established to preserve and promote the rich musical heritage of our region. The group was first formed through cooperation of civic, educational, tourist, governmental, and music related interests on April 7, 1994 and was established as a non-profit organization in 1996.

Brief List of Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Accomplishments - –

• 2007-The Birthplace of Country Music Allinace contracts local fundraising consultants to help plan a $2.5 community fundraising campaign.
• 2007 – Celebrated the 80^th Anniversary of the Bristol Sessions by partnering with the Bristol Convention and Visitors Bureau, Main Street Program, and Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival to highlight the on-going activities and events in historic downtown Bristol
• 2006 – A national fundraising firm conducts a feasibility study to determine the level of local support BCMA can expect for the Cultural Heritage Center capital campaign. It was found that the Alliance can raise at least $2.5 million in local funding for the project.
• 2005 – The Alliance unveiled the conceptual plan for the Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center and relocated its offices to downtown Bristol
• 2005 – The Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service conducts an economic impact analysis of the Cultural Heritage Center and finds that it, at a minimum, will have an economic impact of over $43,232,806 to the region and generate $1,041,253 in direct tax revenue.
• 2004 – LaPaglia & Associates assesses the feasibility of using the donated building as a Cultural Heritage Center and finds it to be an appropriate site for helping BCMA accomplish its goals and “serving as a focal point for the community.”
• 2004 – The Alliance announced the donation of building and land to serve as the future home of the Birthplace of Country Music Cultural Heritage Center
• 2003 – The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance is announced as one of the six major venues along the Crooked Road: Virginia’s Music Heritage Trail, a major economic development initiative.
• 2003 – The Alliance serves as the lead organization presenting performances at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the mall in Washington, DC. The theme for the performances was the musical heritage of the “Heart of Appalachia.”
• March, 2002 - The BCMA celebrates the third anniversary of its museum by announcing that it will expand to a larger location within the Bristol Mall. The BCMA also kicks off the 75th anniversary celebration of the Bristol Sessions by announcing the artists, venues, and sponsors for the event
• October, 2001 - The BCMA announces that Media General Properties, through the Bristol Herald Courier and WJHL Newschannel 11, will provide a $100,000 matching grant to help fund the 75th Anniversary of the Bristol Sessions.
• September, 2001 - The BCMA announces an advisory council consisting of elected officials, entertainers, and other prominent individuals to assist with the 75th Anniversary of the Bristol Sessions and the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.
• August, 2001 - The BCMA returns live country and bluegrass music to the region’s radio airwaves by partnering with WGOC radio to broadcasting its Thursday night BCMA Pickin’ Porch shows.
• June, 2001 - The BCMA hires its second staff member to assist with grant writing, maintaining the website, assist with the newsletter, and other administrative duties.
• May, 2001 - The BCMA increased the number of recipients of the Benny Sims Scholarship in the Country Music and Bluegrass Program at East Tennessee State University to two awards each year.
• April, 2001 - The BCMA announces that it will be the lead organization presenting performances at the 2003 Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the mall in Washington, DC. The theme for the performances will be the musical heritage of the “Heart of Appalachia.”
• March, 2001 - The BCMA celebrates the second anniversary of its museum and gift shop with performances at the Bristol Mall. The BCMA also announces the launch of its website at www.bithplaceofcountrymusic.org [0]
• August, 2000 - The BCMA hires its first full-time staff member to coordinate and plan activities, write grants, and fulfill other administrative duties.
• March, 2000 - The BCMA celebrates the first anniversary of its museum and gift shop with a performances at the Bristol Mall. February 2000 The BCMA became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution [1], which will allow for partnership with one of the largest preservation systems in the world.
• February, 2000 - The BCMA became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, which will allow for partnership with one of the largest preservation systems in the world.
• November, 1999 - The BCMA completed a six-month strategic planning session and the board of directors approved the strategic plan, which outlines goals for the next 5 to 10 years.
• Summer 1999 - The All-American Cities Award [2] was given to the Tri-Cities region. This award highlights the best civic achievements in America each year. The 1999 bid by the Tri-Cities included recognition to the BCMA for their contributions and achievements in promoting cultural musical heritage. Each city participating presents three projects of which the BCMA work was one. By winning one of the ten awards the BCMA was recognized as one of the top thirty civic programs in America by the National Civic League.
• March 9,1999 - The BCMA celebrated the grand opening of the BCMA Museum [2]. The museum serves as an artifact display and information center, meeting room, gift shop, and distribution point for literature. The museum features live music on the "Pickin' Porch" and lectures on the history of country music.
• December, 1998 - The first "Benny Sims" Scholarship [2] was awarded to a deserving student in East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass and Country Music Program [3]. This scholarship is now awarded annually and pays tribute to the wonderful fiddler and teacher Benny Sims.
• October, 1998 - The BCMA was instrumental in the passage of U.S. Congressional Resolution H.R. 214 [3], which formally designated Bristol, TN/VA and the surrounding region as the "Birthplace of Country Music."
• May, 1998 - The BCMA made a presentation to the assembly at the Tri-Cities TN/VA Economic Summit and spread the story of our colorful past and our hopes to use that heritage as a building block to a brighter future.
• February, 1997 - The BCMA sponsors the first "Leon Kiser" memorial concert at the Paramount Theater [4]. This show has been a complete sell-out every year since its inception. The show recognizes individuals in the local area who have made great contributions to music. Each year the entertainment includes the region's finest "local bands" (which in our region includes extremely high quality musicians) and the Train Station Cloggers. Proceeds from this show go to the "Benny Sims" scholarship at ETSU.
• 1997 - The BCMA concert series was highlighted by two celebrations of historic milestones including the 70th Anniversary of the 1927 "Bristol Sessions," [4] which reunited the Carter and Stoneman Families on stage together for the first time since their pioneering recordings. The 50th Anniversary of WCYB's Farm & Fun Time radio shows highlighted that program's crucial role in the evolution of bluegrass music as a distinct art form.
• Since Spring 1997 - The BCMA has organized and sponsored Field Trips and classroom shows for local school students that focus on the region's cultural music heritage. These programs have included numerous classroom lectures, demonstrations and performances by local and national musicians.
• 1997 - The seed for our organization was established as a result of the mural on State Street. The BCMA realizes the national recognition that such works of art can bring to our efforts. As a result a sketch by Willard Gayheart was commissioned in the fall of 1997. The main characters from the 1927 sessions as well as downtown Bristol are represented in the artwork. The prints are available from the BCMA and have been an overwhelming success. Currently plans are underway for another larger mural.
• 1996 - The BCMA started sponsorship of the WETS [5]-Public Radio program "Studio One" which continues today and offers the only live acoustic radio show in the region.
• 1995 - The BCMA was instrumental in the passage of a proclamation by the State of Virginia [5] and the Virginia General Assembly [5] recognizing Bristol and the surrounding region the "Birthplace of Country Music."
• 1994 - The formation of the BCMA started the presentation of live music in the region which continues today. These concerts have brought the finest talent in the world to our region to present music that inspires, entertains, and educates.