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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion facts for kids
| Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion | |
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Promotional poster for the 2009 Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival
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| Genre | americana, folk, blues-rock, folk rock, country, and bluegrass. |
| Location(s) | USA |
| Website | Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion |
The Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion is a super fun music festival! It happens every year for three days. This festival takes place in two cities at once: Bristol, Virginia, and Bristol, Tennessee. It's all about Americana music, which is a mix of different American music styles like folk, country, and blues.
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About the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
This festival is more than just music. It's a non-profit event, which means it's not just about making money. It aims to celebrate the rich musical history of Bristol.
What Happens at the Festival?
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion offers many cool activities. There's a special free Children’s Day event. You can also join a 5k run or a 2-mile walk. If you like to relax, there's Yoga in the Park. For aspiring musicians, there's even a Bluegrass Jam Camp. Plus, you'll find lots of unique food and craft sellers.
Bristol: The Birthplace of Country Music
The festival celebrates Bristol's special nickname: "Birthplace of Country Music." This name comes from important music recordings made here in the 1920s. These recordings are known as the Bristol Sessions. Famous musicians like Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family recorded their songs in Bristol. These recordings helped shape country music as we know it today.
The Festival's Growth and History
The Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion started in 2001. Since then, it has grown a lot!
How the Festival Has Grown
When the festival first began, it was smaller. Now, it has four main stages. Three of these stages are outdoors, so you can enjoy music under the sky. There's also a special dance tent. On top of that, there are 12 smaller stages. These smaller stages are inside local shops, restaurants, and bars. The festival area covers about four city blocks.
Festival Milestones
In 2008, the festival hosted over 50 different bands. More than 30,000 people came to enjoy the music! They traveled from all over the United States.
In 2009, the festival won a special award. The Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus named it the "Best Destination Event of 2009." Some of the main performers that year included Justin Townes Earle and Patty Loveless.
The year 2010 was a big one. It marked the festival's 10th anniversary! That year, the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion had its biggest audience ever. A record-breaking 45,000 people attended the event.
The festival took a break in 2020. This was supposed to be its 20th reunion. But it came back strong on September 10-12, 2021.
Famous Musicians Who Have Played
Many talented musicians have performed at the festival. Some well-known names include Ralph Stanley, Sam Bush, Doc Watson, The Avett Brothers, and Del McCoury. These artists represent the rich sounds of Americana music.