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8th Annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion Music Festival This Weekend in Bristol

Story by David Brewer

A member of Alison Krauss & Union Station and the voice of “Man of Constant Sorrow”, singer and guitarist Dan Tyminski and his band will be just one of dozens of acts at this weekend’s Rhythm & Roots Reunion in Bristol, Tenn./Va. Dozens of performers will descend on the twin cities of Bristol, Tenn./Va. this Friday through Sunday, September 19 to 21, as the Birthplace of Country Music hosts the 8th Annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival.

Unlike MerleFest, which revolves around outdoor locations at Wilkes Community College, Rhythm & Roots Reunion takes place at stages all over downtown Bristol. Like MerleFest however, Rhythm & Roots features a vast array of roots-based musical talent ranging from bluegrass, old-time, classic country, folk, alt. country, Americana, blues, Cajun swing and as plenty of variations on nearly each of those styles.

This year’s headliners include Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, Cherryholmes, Scott Miller & The Commonwealth, Darrell Scott, Langhorne Slim, Sam Bush, Mike Marshall, The Red Stick Ramblers, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, The Dan Tyminski Band, the everybodyfields, Wayne Henderson and dozens more.

In 1927, record producer Ralph Peer of Victor Records began recording area musicians in Bristol to attempt to capture the local sound of traditional folk music of the region during the relatively embryonic stages of the recording industry. Among the acts “discovered” by Peer was the Carter Family, which got its start on July 31, when A.P., Maybelle sand Sarah Carter journeyed from Maces Spring, Va., to Bristol to audition.

The Carters received $50 for each song they recorded. That same visit by Peer to Bristol also resulted in the first recordings by seminal country star Jimmie Rodgers.

In 1998, the United States congress passed a congressional resolution officially recognizing Bristol as the “Birthplace of Country Music.”

For a complete lineup, ticket info and directions to Rhythm & Roots Reunion, click to www.bristolrhythm.com.

Want To Go?

Date: Friday to Sunday, September 19 to 21
Location: Bristol, Tenn./Va.
Cost: Friday $20/Saturday $20/Sunday $15/Weekend pass $40