Last week I had lunch with Leah Ross, the director for the 2006 Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion . This annual music festival is in its 6th year and as the event grows it continues to become one of the highlights of the South as over 100 original musicians and recording artists perform on over 30 stages right in the heart of the city.
We met with Leah because GoTriCities is a media sponsor and will begin to give away tickets this week to the 3-day event on September 15, 16th and 17th. It was exciting to talk to her about the evolution of the organization of volunteers and sponsor who have worked so hard on this event. It truly is the best musicial event in Northeast Tennessee so look for your chance to win tickets because the entertainment is going to be better than ever.
Whether you win tickets or not, the entry fee for each day is only $15 and you’re guaranteed to have a great time listening to multiple artists and milling around downtown Bristol, shopping, eating and drinking at many restaurants that will be open for the weekend. There are streetside vendors and around every corner you’re certain to find a picker or small trio playing traditional roots music on the streets of Bristol, TN/VA – the birthplace of Country Music.
There is an incredible lineup of talent this year too including Marty Stuart , Darryl Scott , Del McCoury Band , Railroad Earth , Seldom Scene , The Biscuit Burners and my dad’s favorite Junior Brown . I caught the Junior Brown show last year and his trio of low-toned texas blues and country boogie is a phenomenon compared to some of the status quo you hear today.
You’ll see plenty of regional talent too that represents some of the best in the singer/songwriters and bands in the area including The everybodyfields , The Divine Magees , Reagan Boggs , Blue Rapture and the reunion of Janie Gray and Clear over the weekend.
This year, I’m privileged to perform with Jared Bentley and Clear on Saturday afternoon and another gig at “rock-thirty” at the State Line Bar and Grill . This 10.30 showtime will be one of the final shows of the evening and knowing The Stateline, this is gonna be a wall-to-wall gig and I’m looking forward to the official reunion and kick-off for this new project.
So make your plans now and get ready for a great weekend at Bristol Rhythm and Roots! Our ticket giveaway starts this week and make plans to join us with Clear on Saturday as we throttle up the new band at The State Line Bar and Grill .