Bristol Rhythm And Roots Reunion

I live on State Street in Bristol VA, having just moved here last July. As a member of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, I helped the Rhythm and Roots Reunion executive director, Leah Ross, prepare a PowerPoint presentation about the festival to show to at the chamber membership breakfast. After that project, I bought tickets and couldn't wait to attend. Putting the presentation together with Leah taught me how people come, and from all over - including several foreign nations - to listen to music and enjoy this festival. I also learned how the community deeply supports the event - with many corporate supporters, volunteers, in-kind service donors and musicians all chipping in to make the magic happen. When BRR threw out the welcome mat, my husband and I were there within the first hours, and we were blown away. BRRR is part block party, part hoe-down, part gospel revival, and ALL Americana roots music all the time. So many people crowded downtown, yet everyone was having a fun time. I saw no issues. That kind of success takes strong leadership and a core group of volunteers who share a clear vision. I cannot wait to get more involved this year and enjoy it all over again.

Last year was our first experience with BRRR and our experience with the event was excellent. We live out of town so we don't have access to the traditional media in the area but the organization has done a great job of keeping us informed. We are so pleased to see the positive effects that the September event and the other year round events are bringing to a wonderful downtown area that really needs a boost. We especially love how BRRR celebrates the pioneers who started Country Music with the Bristol Sessions yet really embraces music as self-expression that can take many forms. One of the best things about BRRR is how hard they have worked to make the festival accessible by keeping ticket prices low. It was such a pleasure to see so many generations enjoying the traditional and new music side-by side.

From the professionalism of the staff, to the friendliness of the volunteers, this event could not be better run. The choices of the artists is outstanding, all of them being so accessible to the general public. I discovered the festival in 2006, the year I moved to Bristol and have been going ever since. I, of course, have my favorites, but it is great to discover new talent. The weekend pass is a steal, some artists you can't even get a ticket for that price. Other festivals charge that much for one day. I hope this festival becomes number one in the country.

This year will be our 6th Bristol Rhythm and Roots. There is no doubt that we will attend, come hell or high water!
We love this festival for so many reasons. The many venues, indoor and out, offer the opportunity to see big name bands and smaller lesser known acts. That's often the best part, going home with new favorites that we have discovered for ourselves at BRR.
Weather is never a problem-if it's rainy, there are any number of places to duck into and still hear great music.
The vendors are great, we look forward to the food almost as much as the music! Fabulous barbecue for my meat eating husband and lots of vegetarian options for me.
It's fun, too to see the musicians at each others' shows. It really is a reunion for them and has gotten to be one for us when we meet friends we have seen year after year at BRR.
We go to the big expensive festival in N Wilkesboro every year, too and Bristol has just as much to offer as far as talent and non stop music-at a fraction of the price. But we would go to BRR at any price, it's just a great festival.

This festival and it's beyond-belief talented band line-up will BLOW YOUR MIND! The first time I went, it was with a 'sure, why not?' attitude. Now, I wouldn't miss it!

Bristol Rhythm and Roots is one of the most family friendly music festivals around. What other festival has a place for families to stop in and rest for a while before heading off to the next venue! The Baby Comfort Station, hosted by La Leche League of the Mountain Empire, is such a fantastic place for families to stop in to nurse, change, or simply rock and rest while enjoying the amazing musical offerings at RRR.

I have worked closely with Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion for the past two years, producing the "Virginia Folklife Stage." I work with about 10-15 festivals per year. This is clearly one of the very best. It showcases a wonderful creative and diverse array of musical styles, and succeeds in reaching a broad audience. The programming at the festival is consistently top notch, and there is a real, concerted and thoughtful effort to compliment the music with educational initiatives, providing a truly intimate experience for the visitors.
To me, though, the greatest thing about this festival is the way it engages the entire business community, with stages in practically every restaurant, coffee shop, storefront, and tavern. It truly is a festival for and by the community!

Rhythm and Roots is one of our favorite weekends in Bristol! The talent is always tremendous. The vendors are fantastic. We always show up first thing Saturday morning and have more than once closed it down after midnight! Even my kids enjoy the long day! If you have never attended the Rhythm and Roots Reunion, do yoursef a favor and plan to show up this year. You will not be sorry!

The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion continues to exceed my expectations and the expectations of all in attendance. Each year provides the best in Roots and Americana music with a focus on local, regional and national performers. The multi-venue scheme is a non-stop entertainment weekend with a surprise around every corner.
If you have not been to Rhythm and Roots you are missing the perfect opportunity to experience small town America at it's best in the official birthplace of country music.

i live in bristol,tn. and have attended this event ,it is a great time for all..

Since the festival began, I have only missed 2 years of the most incredible music and adventure I could have had those years. Rhythm and Roots has brought to light a generation of singer/songwriters that very well could have been looked over. The venue is set up in expertise, with everything happening on one main strip of the downtown Bristol area. The rustic antiquity of the stores and corner pubs being exploited in the utmost fashion, the feeling is always bright and enjoyable. Rhythm and Roots always brings the best of talents to the table, such as Del McCoury, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ricky Skaggs, and the list goes on. Also to be mentioned, the increpurest piedible one-of-a-kind food, arts and crafts, and microbrewery vendors. This festival puts a spotlight on the history and existence of Appalachian culture and heritage, but also brings a variety of rock-a-billy, southern rock, and other types of great music to the lineup. Also, if you get just plain tired, you can visit one of the many businesses and bars that not only serve you food and drink, but hold entertainment all day long. I have personally discovered many new artists here that I may have never heard, and many fond and dear memories that I never would have had. If you are up for gettin' down on a piece of America's finest land, then Rhythm and Roots is the place for you. I hope to see you there in September.

The BEST music festival we have attended! In addition to the main stages there are different varieties of Traditional, Bluegrass, and Progressive music in the main street businesses. Local talent and world-known talent all for your listening pleasure, located right in the heart and soul of where this music first evolved, "The Crooked Road, Virginia's Musical Heritage Trail". The Roots! Got to go to the Reunion at Bristol!

This is an awesome music event.Attending since the third year. The reunion has music fo everybody(at least I think so) always open it up on Friday evening ,close it down Sunday.Can't imagine not being there.

I attended Bristol R&R back in 2005. It was great. The musicians really mingle with those in attendance. Old Crow Medicine Show was there that year and they really rocked out the place. It is a nice family atmosphere as well. The street vendors are neat too. I highly recommend it.

What a fantastic place to meet some of the most talented musicians in the world! Where else could you walk up to someone like Darrell Scott, have a conversation with him, shake his hand and then him go on stage and put on a performance that will bring tears to your eyes?

Hands down this is the best music festival you will find in the Southeastern United States, possibly even the entire country (though I can't speak from personal experience on that.) The tickets are entirely affordable and the variety of the venues offers something for every type of individual and mood. Since the inception of the festival, organizers have consistently offered a lineup featuring the absolute best in Americana and Roots music (with up and comers and legends alike.) I would recommend this festival to any music lover and have actually done so in a review of last year's festival on my blog: redeyedrooster.com/tenthannualrhythmrootsfestival/

One of my favorite festivals. There are so many things I love about this festival...the variety of music, venues, and people to start. Cozy pubs, beautiful old auditoriums, and open air concerts attended by people of all ages. Impressive main attractions, with many returning favorites (Holy Ghost Tent Revival, oh yeah!). Best of all...it's a great atmosphere for meeting new friends, and looking forward to those reunions.

Since I live in Bristol, I've been to every Rhythm and Roots Reunion from the beginning. Every year, this festival invents new and exciting things for us 'old timers' to see and hear. This past year we got to hear Joe Diffie and Ricky Skaggs and The Boxcars!!...(could be my new favorite group). The vendors and volunteers are great. (last year, one of the vendors came running over to tell me there were bees hovering around my lemonade glass while I set up my chairs..to be careful) The food stalls are wonderful. The crafters bring new and innovative products and there is music literally on nearly every corner and sometimes between street corners at the Busker Stops. For 3 days and nights, you can plan out your route to catch your favorites and hear new groups you've just heard about from friends. (won't ever miss another 'Sythian' appearance). If you've never been to Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion, you've missed the best of the best. Also...you'll never find another music festival that keeps it's ticket prices so reasonable that the whole family can attend.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is a wonderful event for Bristol and the Tri-Cities at large! The festival brought in over 45,000 people this year to the heart of our community, many of those from out of town, that's more people than the population of our 2 cities together. Bristol is known for the Bristol Motor Speedway and now we are making known our heritage as The Birthplace of Country Muisc! Thanks BRRR for promoting our culture and giving us great memories and awesome music to enjoy not only in September but year arround.

I look forward to Rhythm and Roots every year! The festival has truly transformed our city and offers great fun for locals as well as visitors. Good music, good food, and fun activities for children and adults make it a 'must do' every year. The coordination of the event is exceptional as are the hundreds of volunteers that help make it happen!

Hands down my favorite time of year. My whole family comes in for the reunion. Along with their friends. It is nice to see many familiar names of bands coming back every year. It is, however, more exciting to find the new groups that come and make you fall in love with their style of music. The saddest part is when you come out of one of the last concerts and people are taking down the vending tents, stages and cleaning up. It just makes me ready for the next year. Everyone should experience Bristol Rhythm and Roots at least once.

I love the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. The diversity of the music is wonderful. So many great bands to choose from. As a mother of three young children the festival is very family friendly. I feel very comfortable having my children with me and have no reservations about the things they are exposed to at this festival.

The best part of the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion is their ability to give local musicians and less well known musicians exposure to a large audience. This helps sustain our music tradition and encourages musicians to continue playing. Just ask Ed Snodderly, Frank Newsome, Michelle Malone or Junior League. Or Scotty Melton, Annie Robinette, The Drunk Uncles, Carson Peters & the Rockhouse Stringband, Kelley & the Cowboys.

I am a native of Bristol and have attended Rhythm and Roots Reunion for three years now, and it gets better every year. The variety of the music, the people you meet and the atmosphere cannot be beat. The only thing I would change is expand the festival beyond main street. I have already got my tickets for this year and cannot wait.

I've been attending BRRR for several years, the last 3 as a volunteer. The music is wonderful, the atmosphere festive, and the whole experience is a highlight of my year. BRRR has something for everyone, from families with young children to singles in search of a good time. The music also is eclectic, with something for nearly every taste. I can't wait for September to roll around!!

Bristol Rhythm And Roots Reunion Festival is so important to my musical education for several reasons. First, I always experience a type of music there that I am not familiar with. Second, the legends and professionals that fill the schedule are important contributors to music history. Third, discovery of the unknown is always the most valuable part of my festival experience every year.

I am a native of Bristol and have attended Rhythm and Roots Reunion every year. The festival continues to improve every year. The cost of the three day pass is beyond affordable considering the number of acts presented. I have compared to other festivals of this calibur and none can compare. I plan my schedule around RRR weekend!

I've been attending the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion for 7 years, the last 5 as a volunteer. It has provided me with many great memorable experiences. I've reconnected with old friends I grew up with here in my home town and met and made new friends literally from around the world down on State Street these last few September long weekends.

In addition I've enjoyed being a BR&RR Volunteer who helps with the Bristol Motor Speedway's annual Speedway In Lights through the Christmas holiday season. It's rewarding to be a part of this charity event which benefits 84 children's agencies in our region.

More than just a music event (which I enjoy immensely!), BR&RR has built a cameraderie among its volunteers which drives us to give our best for those days in September, the organization and the town. It's been a crucial element in the renewal of downtown Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee, as well as bringing relevant contemporary musical artists and musical industry recognition to The Birthplace of Country Music.

We've lived all over the world during a 25 year military career and have not had a better experience at a festival anywhere than we had at Bristol's Rhythm and Roots Reunion! This event is a winner in every sense. Where can you find a music/food/history/art entertainment event that is equally friendly to families with small children, teenagers, and young adults? The value is amazing also...for one low ticket price you can take in an infinite variety of shows. The variety of music is astounding...this is NOT just your father's Bluegrass! The venues are also amazing from the art deco Paramount Center to the huge Farmer's Market which accomodates over 1000 people (there seemed like at least 5000 there during the Ricky Skaggs night concert!). We discovered beautiful music from acts that we had never heard of before like Red Molly (bought 3 of their CD's). In short, this is an awesome event that needs to be on everyone's bucket list. Warning: this festival is addictive....come once, and you will want to come back each year!

Our family has been attending Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion for the past five years and we love it. My wife is a native Bristolian and every year she sees old friends she has not seen in years. The bands are outstanding. We already have our tickets for this years event. We usually go to the event with several other couples and have our performers we want to see made out in advance. It is a weekend event, Friday through Sunday. The entertanment keeps betting bigger and better each year.

We love Rhythm and Roots - already have my tickets for this years festival! Great bands- great music - fun for the whole family. We live in Bristol and we spend the entire weekend downtown enjoying the food, friends and great music.

This is such an incredible festival. I spend about a week prior to the event going through the line-up trying to figure out how I am going to be able to see everyone that I want to. The number of stages provides an opportunity to experience so many different styles of music and they are all outstanding. Ticket prices are such a bargain for the caliber of talent that they are able to attract year after year.

The Bristol Rhytym and Roots Reunion is a terrific festival. Each year it gets better and better.

We have never been to a better run, more efficient, and clean music festival than the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Every single person we met in the organization was EXTREMELY courteous and helpful in every way. There was absolutely no garbage that wasn't picked up and the clientele acted in a genteel manner throughout the show.

This is a great family experience and a tremendous opportunity to see close up and personal many of the performers who have shaped and are shaping American music. It's clean and well organized, and the rowdiness is restricted and generally confined to spontaneous responses to the music. Although it gets more crowded every year, the organizers are very receptive to feedback from people who attend and make obvious efforts to improve the experience. It's all round not to be missed; I don't intend to.

This year will make our 4th year attending BRRR. I can't tell you what an awesome experience it is. Each time my son and I leave, we can't wait till the following year. This past year we took my 6yr old grandson, who absolutely fell in love with the performers. There is quite a diverse collection of musicians, that everyone will be able to find a group or soloist they love. Even my grandson had a favorite and actually got to have his pic taken with them. Kuddos to the staff, board members and everyone who has a hand in making BRRR the best 3 days of music in one place. We have met people from all over the country that attend each and every year. It truly is for the whole family and along with the performers, you get some fantastic food also. I guarantee you will leave after 3 days, uplifted and motivated to tell and invite more and more folks to join you the next time. I can hardly wait for September. Thank you BRRR!!!!!!!

What a treat to have Bristol R&RR in our own back yard. The variety of music guarentees a little something for everyone. Bristol puts on a wholesome event that's great for the entire family. So bring the kids, the dog and a chair and get ready to enjoy the experience.

Bristol RRR has done as much to improve quality of life in the cities of Bristol as anything in my memory. It showcases our unique interstate downtown district, our place in the history of popular music in the United States, and the warm hospitality of our local populace.

A stage hand during three Reunions, and a dedicated attendee since, I can't imagine being anywhere else for the third weekend in September.

I've been told by one popular band that BRRR is there favorite festival, despite attending 40-50 each year. According to them, they are just as interested in attending the festival, seeing old friends, and catching other performers' acts as they are performing themselves. The festival has an inside-out quality that gives everyone a backstage pass. Performers wander the festival from gig to gig on the same streets as the audiences. They drop in on performances all over the festival, because they are fans as well as artists.

Perhaps the best indicator of quality of the event is that nearly everyone is having a wonderful time. Smiles dominate. Neighborliness, good will and human kindness shine. People come once and are hooked.

Bristol's downtown has been undergoing a noticeable and remarkable resurgence over the past decade, and it's my opinion that the Rhythm and Roots Reunion has been the engine of that revival.

The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is one of the best music festivals in the United States for several reasons. The organizers recruit both established and up & coming artists, they keep the ticket prices extremely reasonable, and they manage the festival very well. There are plenty of options for dining, since restaurants in downtown Bristol are open during the festival. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed having a local festival like this. I look forward to attending again this year.

Very rewarding experience to be able to give back to my community. Excellent vendors.....food....and the most amazing and eclectic gathering of music in our area....Thank you BR&RR for the opportunity and experience!

The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is my hands down, favorite music festival of all that I have attended. I can't even begin to tell of the wonderful memories of family sharing and amazing music! When I lived in the Tri-cities, it was one of the events I scheduled my vacation time around. In 2005 I moved to New Jersey to live with my husband, and we were able to schedule 3 of the 5 years while there, for weekend passes at R&R. That's a 10 hour drive but it was worth it! My three grown children lived in the Tri-cities also, and music is one of the most important things in our lives. One of the highlights of my oldest son, Allun's life, was being able to perform with his band at the last two R&R Festivals. Some of my most precious memories of him are of him and FSR rocking the rafters at Omainnins, stomping to Chinatown on the Piedmont Stage, sitting beneath the speakers at the Mural Stage while Allun told me every Gillian Welch song she would sing next, and seeing his eyes shine as he sang the words and the fiddle player of OCMS played his fiddle with so much passion that the bow just peeled off. He was so happy and excited while he lived in Bristol, that so many of the bands playing the Festival went back to his apt to hang out and jam all night in between shows. I am so thankful for the joy that Bristol gave to him those few months while he lived there and especially for the R&R. It has always meant so much to our family and this next R&R will be difficult without Allun there. His great love for the music and the Festival were so important to him and I know he would want us to be there and hope that his daughter will be able to experience that incredible gathering of musicians and artists on the streets where her daddy sang and listened also as she grows up and dances her own dance. Thank you Bristol R&R!!!

I don't think I've ever missed a Rhythm & Roots and for good reason! This is one of the greatest festivals I've ever attended. RRR truly celebrates the musical heritage that is Bristol. I'm always amazed by the talent that is represented, both established and new. I discovered some of my favorite bands at Rhythm & Roots. I appreciate the diversity of genres and also appreciate the committee's efforts to keep ticket prices as low as possible.

In ten years of steady growth, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion has become the model of a successful small town event. Three days of music on more than a dozen stages all contined in a compact downtown location, with styles running the gamut from traditional old-time gospel and bluegrass to new-grass, jazz, folk, and rockabilly and hard to describe acts. A rock-bottom price that allows nearly anyone to enjoy the entire weekend, and opportunities to volunteer to work for half a day in exchange for one day's admission for those who can't afford the admission.

As a donor, the opportunity to support the festival and the community also for a low price is uniquely appealing. I've sponsored a stage for the last few years as an small business owner and feel great in being part of this labor of love.

The word is out, the festival keeps growing. Until you experience it, you have no idea what a music festival can be.

This festival continues to amaze me. For less than 14 cents per act, this festival delivers some of the best music you can find anywhere. From the up and coming to the legacies of the music world, you will not be disappointed. There is everything from rock to bluegrass to country to blues to jazz. The worst thing about the weekend is that I know that there is no way to see all of the acts I want to see...not a real problem.

This past year was my first year to volunteer for BRRR and the team behind the scenes is tireless with one mission: provide high caliber music for a very affordable price to anyone who wants to come to town to visit. The festival is wonderful because the people behind it are wonderful and work harder than any group of people I have ever known.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots is SUCH a fun festival that truly has every type of music from rock, to bluegrass, to country, to jazz. It's a fun event for people of all ages! BRRR also showcases what a beautiful area northeast TN is and helps our local economy flourish!

My sister and I attended BRRR for the first time last fall. That weekend will stand out in my mind for a long time because of all the great memories we made. The festival seemed very well managed, for the number of people packed onto State St. for three days. I was always impressed with the cleanliness of the festival area and the level of courtesy and kindness displayed by volunteer staff. Though there are many stages, it is very easy to navigate from one place to the next. My only complaint about this type of festival is that it can force you to make some tough decisions about prioritizing one group over another if two of your bands end up playing around the same time on different ends of State Street. Though, if that's the worst thing that happens, I think its a pretty good problem to have. :-)

Brystol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is by far one of the best music festivals I have been to over the past 40 years. The talent is some of the best in the nation from national acts to local talent. Listening to the music both on outside stages and also in Brystol's indoor theatre's makes this festival stand out from all others. The admission is ther lowest I've ever paid recently for a music festival . The restaurants keep their prices very reasonable too.
I'll certainly drive the 900 miles to be at this festival this coming year.

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival is a fantastic weekend experience at an affordable price. The festival provides a lot of musical diversity with roots in acoustic music. Bristor TN/VA is often called the birthplace of country music, and is especially known for its role in bringing the music of the Carter Family into the public domain. BRR&R, however, is not just about old-time, country, and bluegrass music. While those styles are represented, many bands are in the acoustic rock or "folk core" genre. Very upbeat, driving rhythm, and highly dancable. You can also find blues and reggae, and much more. As with many festivals, there is plenty of festival food and festival crafts, and many local restaurants offer draft or bottled beer for your festival enjoyment. Many craft breweries are represented. All in all, it's just a great festival!

My boyfriend and I have been coming to BRR since 2008, we throughly enjoy the music from bluegrass to rock to country, we love it all, we have become good friends with some of the artists and have experienced a lot of new music, we had been going to Merlefest but throughly enjoy this venue a whole lot more. Keep it coming Bristol, looking forward to this years line up.

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is by far my favorite event of the year. I attended my first festival 3 years ago, and I have been every year since then. The festival provides more bang for your buck than any other festival in the country. Each year I look forward to seeing my old favorite bands, and opening my eyes (and ears) to new ones, and they never disappoint. The line up each year is always spectacular. The fiestival is marked on my calendar each year. #rd weekend is September is always set aside for Bristol Rythma nd Rots.

BRRR is a fantastic music festival. It gives people in the community the opportunity to experience music we might not have otherwise been exposed to. It is well organized, fun, and a great event for the Bristol community.

From bluegrass to blues, Bristol Rhythm and Roots has it all! A full weekend with over 100 bands within easy walking distance. We have enjoyed famous-name groups as well as lesser-known gems. Everything is fun and upbeat. We love it. A bargain for a weekend of entertainment!

Bristol Rhythm And Roots Reunion is by far the most reasonably priced event ever. The music is diversified, offering something for everyone to enjoy. I participate in many events each year and I can truthfully say that in my opinion, it's the best. My congradulations to the staff and volunteers for a job well done.

Doyle Lawson

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver

Where else would you be able to catch hundreds of bands, all within walking distance, for no more than 40 bucks for the entire weekend? You can't! The people of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion are truly doing this for the fans! It's not for profit, it's purely for people who love music, especially the kind of music that can trace it's roots, right to Bristol. IT's easy to navigate, you have plenty of options of food and many places to take in a cold drink! I've become a fan of hundreds of new people simply by placing myself downtown during that weekend in September. There is never chaos, plenty of people to guide you and really a great team working extremely hard to put on a such a GREAT event! Great music, great venue, great time!!!!!

This festival is just simply amazing! It is so well run from the year help workers to the weekend of volunteers. It all comes together so smoothly. We love it! We bring in friends and family each year to show off how great Bristol and our music scene is!!

My experience with Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion has been nothing but great! I have both attended, and worked with the staff through our office. BR&RR is the most exciting music event we have in our area, and provides a wide-ranging selection of bands...something for everyone. The only "problem" I see is that I have trouble deciding which stage to go to because I want to see and hear all of the bands/performers, and I can't be in two places at once. This festival should be on everyone's "must attend" list! This festival is a true service to the music community, and lovers of music alike. And it's located in the Birth Place of Country Music to boot.

I had the pleasure of attending the 2010 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. It was extremely well run, with activities for a varied audience. The "logistics" of the event were first rate. The entertainment was top notch.

The most impressive aspect was how the BRRR team has engaged the City of Bristol. Throughout the City you would see "welcome" messages. And, the downtown business within the area of the event, we all participating through extended business hours, special storefront displays, and overall friendliness to the folks attending the event.

This is a great organisation. I am from Roanoke, a comparbale city to Bristol located two hours away, and I would love to have a similar non-profit in my area. They do things the right way.

2010 was the best Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion event in my experience, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys acoustic, Bluegrass, folk, gospel, or country music. The impressive list of performers from 2010 is available at http://www.bristolrhythm.com/artist.php. Acts range from hughly popular to hometown favorites to brand new performers, and venues range from small and intimate to large, with both indoor and outdoor performances.

During the festival Bristol closes a section of the main street -- State Street -- to provide outdoor performance stages. Restaurants host performers inside, and some set up outdoor food service areas close to outdoor stages. The wide proscenium stage at the restored Paramount Theater remains busy. We caught several acts at the Paramount, which is elegant and large enough for popular acts like the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

In addition to the wonderful music, there are street vendors and a general atmosphere of celebration on State Street as people take a break to walk among the vendors' booths, chat with friends and strangers, and rush from one event to the other.

Since Bristol is also home to the Bristol Motor Speedway and accustomed to large crowds on race day, there are plenty of accommodations reasonably priced, and Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is an event well worth the money it costs to attend. The event begins on Friday evening and continues all day on Saturday and Sunday. There is a children's event on Saturday morning which does not require tickets. You can purchase a ticket for a single day or a ticket for the entire event.

Approximately 12 years ago, a group of volunteers from the Bristol area came together with a vision of sharing with others the opportunity to promote Bristol's musical heritage since we were named, by Congress, as the Birthplace of Country Music. It is amazing that after 10 festivals, we are still able to meet that mission!! I can remember that first year we had approximately 5000 people. Then the 2010 festival hosted approx. 45,000 people!!! It has been a privilege to be a part of such a wonderful three day event. Our festival is family oriented, economically priced, and with the support of our community and financial sponsors, we open our arms to welcome all of our attendee's. The two cities of Bristol's support is unmeasurable. We are working hard on the 2011 festival and don't forget it is the third weekend in September!

Bristol Rhythm & Roots celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2010. This festival has grown by leaps & bounds in just a short period of time. It had an estimated crowd of over 40,000 people last year. Individuals from all over the United States, and even some from other countries, enjoy attending this event every year. Ticket prices are very inexpensive, since you can purchase a weekend pass for less than one concert ticket for see most bands. My husband and I have enjoyed volunteering our entire weekend for the past two years for this great event. This is a DON"T MISS!

We can't wait for this to roll around each year. This is the most fun we have all year of all the summertime music and festivals we attend. Young and old alike enjoy this in our community.

This 3rd week in September each year in Bristol is the HIGHLIGHT of the year. This coming year will be the 11th and each one gets better than the last one. Bristol is a friendly city and I guess country music justs makes you that way. Young talent is discovered each year and established singers always want to come back!