My wife, Peggy, and I recently took a trip to the Birthplace of Country Music. For those of you who are thinking Nashville, Tennessee, think again. Nashville may be Music City USA, but it ain't where the music started. While Country's roots can be traced back to folk and Celtic music originating in Europe, the official birthplace of Country music is Bristol, Tennessee.
The right answer is Bristol, Tennessee. Bristol is on the Tennessee and Virginia border, where Appalachian mountain folk music has been popular for generations. Many of the fiddle tunes and song styles came over from the British Isles in the 1700s.
In 1927, Ralph Peer of Victor Records...went to Bristol, Tennessee, to record local musicians. He thought that old-time and "hillbilly" musicians could be found there. Two local acts signed recording contracts -- the Carter Family from Virginia and former railroad worker Jimmie Rodgers of North Carolina.... They both became successful nationwide. The Carter Family formed the core of several generations of popular country musicians, and Rodgers's 1928 recording of "Blue Yodel" became one of the first country records to sell a million copies!
These early Bristol recordings laid the groundwork for much of the country music that followed. Because Bristol is not usually thought of as the place where country music began, it was especially important that the U.S. Congress recognized Bristol's contribution to music history. In 1998, Congress passed a resolution recognizing Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music."
Driving through Bristol, especially through the center of town, where you can literally put one foot in Tennessee and one foot in Virginia, gave us a sense of history. We didn't visit the museum, but we did make the trek on Saturday night to the Carter Family Fold where we heard some great music performed by The Jeanette Williams Band.
One of the most enjoyable features of the Carter Family Fold performance center is the dance floor. I don't dance, but it was quite an experience to watch the folks who do. Down there, they call it "flat foot dancing." More common names are "buck dancing" and "klogging."
As you can see in the photo, this is beautiful country and it was hard to leave. I felt like I had come home. The highlight of the trip for me was an offer (which I declined, due to being out-of-practice) to perform on the stage as a guest artist. But, I made arrangements for an appearance the next time I'm in town.
And it won't be long before my next visit.
