Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134

Birthplace Of Country Music Museum

Firstly this podcast is about music and specifically the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Bristol Virginia earned that title way back in 1927. Learn more in Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134

Walk and Talk

Secondly we’ll walk and talk through the Birthplace Of Country Music Museum.

Musical and Historical

Most importantly much of the museum is musical and historical.

And it is focused primarily on audio.

Featured Sounds Headphones On

So those sounds are featured in this podcast.

How Did Bristol Earn The Birthplace Of Country Music?

Undoubtedly Bristol earned this title in the summer of 1927 when record producer Ralph Peer arrived in town to record 19 artists from Appalachia.

Greater Impact

Equally important is the fact that the so called Bristol Sessions had an impact far greater than anyone could have predicted in 1927

This Museum Is A Gem

Thirdly my listeners know I like to roll through places rather than stop. But I made an exception for this. Above all this Smithsonian museum in Bristol is a gem.

Influential Recordings

Because recording what was called Hillbilly music then has proven influential in so many music genres today.

Arrived Through The Mist Of Time

Another key point is how this music made its way to these hills.

And the songs go back to the Lowlands of Scotland, Wales and England.

Bristol Boom

Significantly Bristol was booming back in 1927

It was unquestionably a very active town of railroads, new industry, agriculture, retail commerce and logging.

Big Bang

Scholars call the Bristol Sessions analogous to the Big Bang.

Johnny Cash

Accordingly Johnny Cash called the Bristol sessions the single most important event in the history of country music.

Resonates

With this mind this subject resonates with me because music, history, and radio are brought together here.

Carter Family

From the Carter family with their photographic memories and in effect revolutionary style of playing..

All The Original Stars Of Country

To the already reigning stars of the genre in 1927 such as Earnest Stoneman.

Radio History Too

Of course by 1927 The Big Barn Dance was already on WLS from Chicago…

And the Grand Old Opry on WSM aired regularly on WSM in Nashville.

Therefore a brand new radio and record industry were just beginning to change American Culture forever.

Time Changes Everything

Finally the small towns have become cities the enclaves have become suburbs.

On The Crooked Highway The Past Is Present

But every now and then the traveler can still see places that people back in 1927 might have called home.

Up to the present time the best place to see it is The Crooked Highway.

That is to say Highway 58 Virginia which takes the traveler to Bristol, Virginia…

But, we’re all lucky they made the trip in 1927.

Sponsored by 36LYN The Independently Owned and Operated Refueling Station and Convenience Store

Birthplace-Of-Country-Music-Museum-Bob Davis Podcast 1134

 

 

 

Podcast 464

Welcome to Tennessee. Live from Bristol, Tennessee – The Birthplace Of Country Music. New Hampshire’s primary is history. Flush with new data and fresh story lines, every satellite news truck and reporter is rolling out of the Granite State headed for South Carolina, the third primary in election 2016. The Bob Davis Podcasts are already in the south, taking a break from the political craziness. Welcome to Tennessee, and to one of the coolest towns in Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia: Bristol. Part of Bristol is in the Volunteer State of Tennessee and the other part is in the Old Dominion. This is a great introduction to South Carolina, because this part of Tennessee and Virginia are in the Appalachian Mountains, first settled by the Scots-Irish, English and Germans over two hundred years ago. They brought their culture with them including stories and music dating back centuries. Industrial growth from the late 1800’s and beginning of the twentieth century brought change to the people who call this part of the country home. In 1927 a Bristol area musician and performer recommended the town to a recording engineer and talent scout. The scout brought the latest recording technology to town, set up shop in a hat factory, placed an ad in a local newspaper and prepared to record. Ralph Peer’s Bristol Sessions turned out to be seminal in the development of American Roots music and the careers of artists who later became major country music stars. The Bristol Sessions are often referred to as ‘The Big Bang of Country Music’. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol celebrates the Bristol Sessions and so much more. Take a break from the endless political nonsense going on, to get a sense of the influence this part of the country has had on the rest of the United States, and the gift the people of Appalachia have given us all. Today the south is a major economic, social and political influence, equal or greater to any other part of the country. Get set for surprises after South Carolina votes, and after the mid south primaries on Super Tuesday. (Big Thanks to Renee Rogers and Charlene Baker for meeting me at the Museum office back door on a snowy Monday, and for doing an interview for this podcast.) Sponsored by X Government Cars, Pride of Homes and Luke Team Real Estate.