Nathan Sykes, Author at Birthplace of Country Music

Blog Author: Nathan Sykes

Nathan Sykes

As Assistant Producer for Radio Bristol, I help to ensure that the programming on Radio Bristol is diverse, relevant, and informative. I graduated from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) with a B.A. in History, and I am currently continuing to dig into our region’s culture and heritage by pursuing an M.A in Appalachian Studies at ETSU.

With deep ties to early bluegrass and country music, I am proud to be able to share my lifelong passion for American roots music with a wide audience through Radio Bristol. I am also a connoisseur of gaudy western shirts and enjoy playing all eras of Johnny Paycheck entirely too loud in my 1970 C/10.

You can hear me on Radio Bristol from 1–2 pm on Mondays and from 12:30 to 2pm on Fridays; I am also the host of The Crooked Road Radio Hour on Tuesday evenings at 6pm.

Recent Posts by Nathan Sykes

Photograph of the display of books in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum store; several of the books noted in the blog are seen in this picture!

Reading is Music to the Ears!

September 6, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

Each year on September 6, bookworms across America celebrate National Read A Book Day. Though this is a fine thing to celebrate, reading is, of course, important and pleasurable every day of the year. If one wants to learn more […]

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Left pic shows Bill and the Belles on stage with a full audience in front of them; right pic shows Karen Hester in front of the microphone, cranking an old-fashioned ice cream maker.

Country Music from Far and Wide on Farm and Fun Time

August 16, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

Farm and Fun Time was back again on August 9 with another exciting installment! This month’s show featured music that connects our Appalachian musical heritage with country music in other parts of the United States and beyond! Thanks to our […]

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A shot of the Pick Along Summer campers on stage with Kris Truelsen; the kids are all wearing their red Pick Along logo shirts and have their instruments with them, ready to play.

Fiddlin’ Around on Farm and Fun Time

July 26, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

After taking a month off, Farm and Fun Time was back in full swing on July 12! From close sibling harmony to red-hot fiddling, this Farm and Fun Time showcased the diverse sounds for which the show has become known. […]

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Tall cacus with lovely white blooms at its top.

Pick 5: Spring is in the Air!

April 30, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

For our new “Pick 5” blog series, we ask members of the Radio Bristol team to pick five songs within a given theme – from heartsongs to murder ballads and everything in between! Once they pick their “5,” they get […]

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Right pic shows the full band; left pic focuses in on Ralph II singing with a couple of his band members nearby

Taking Farm and Fun Time Back to Its Roots

April 20, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

On April 12, Farm and Fun Time officially completed two years of shows, and to commemorate this monumental occasion, we had a bluegrass extravaganza for the ages! David Davis & The Warrior River Boys and Ralph Stanley II and The […]

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Two photos: Left, Martha and Larry singing together; Right, Martha flatfooting on the stage while Larry plays banjo.

Fall in Love with Farm and Fun Time

February 14, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

With today being Valentine’s Day, it’s also a great time to fall in love with Farm and Fun Time! Our February 8 show swept our captivated audience off their feet with that special blend of music, stories, and celebration that […]

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Left-hand photo shows a close up of the Uncle Shuffelo band members; right-hand photo shows one of the band members dancing on stage.

Ringing in the New Year with Farm and Fun Time

January 20, 2018

By Nathan Sykes

Farm and Fun Time started 2018 off on the right foot with another excellent installment on January 11th! The show was something of a family affair featuring two bands that began as family bands, a long and storied tradition in […]

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