It’s a year of anniversaries in southwest Virginia, home to the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail which marks a dozen venues that feature bluegrass and old-time music on a regular basis. The Crooked Road turns 20 and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol hits 10 years, both destinations helping to promote Appalachia’s authentic musical traditions that have launched country music, not to mention other genres. Topping the list is the 50th Anniversary of the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, a concert venue named in honor of the original Carter Family. A.P., Sara and Maybelle Carter are among the earliest recording artists in country music and the trio is considered the “First Family of Country Music.”
Floyd Country Store
In the quaint small town of Floyd lies an old-fashioned country store that proudly hangs a sign outside its front door stating, “Loitering Allowed.” The store began in 1909 as a farmer’s supply shop and locals would gather here to socialize and play music, the latter attracting an audience.
“People would play around the pot-belly stove and people started showing up,” said Dylan Locke, the store’s current co-owner.
The music became such a draw that when Locke took over the store and renovated the structure, he built a stage in back for regular concerts and the weekly Jamboree that turns 40 this year. Today, visitors from around the world gather to enjoy authentic American music that’s a combination of many cultures, including Scotch-Irish (fiddle), African (banjo) and Spanish (guitar).
“Our culture is everyone’s culture, Locke said. “People all over the world want to find that source.”
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Ralph Peer recorded American music in New York before heading to Bristol to search for “hillbilly” and “race” music, but he brought advanced technology for a large commercial audience. He recorded numerous groups from southwest Virginia and surrounding regions, including the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. They were known as the 1927 Bristol Sessions and considered the birth of country music. Congress declared Bristol ground zero in 1988.
The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol explores this history, showcasing early recordings, instruments and other memorabilia. Visitors may even try their hand at recording a song of their own.
The Carter Family Fold
It’s a crooked road through the Blue Ridge Mountains that takes you to the Carter Family Fold in Hiltons, a venue run by Rita Forrester, granddaughter of A.P. and Sara Carter, two of the three members of the original Carter Family who recorded such classics as “Keep on the Sunny Side” and “Can the Circle Be Unbroken.” On Saturday evenings since 1974, bands perform in a venue that seats hundreds inside and out, with a dance floor, of course. Before performances, and during intermission, A.P. Carter’s grocery store that’s now a museum, and one of the family’s original log cabins, are open to the public.
Crooked Road Events
The Crooked Road is a 330-mile driving route through Southwest Virginia that includes 19 counties, four major cities, major music venues and more than 60 affiliated venues and festivals.
There will be several events to commemorate the anniversary year, including June 15 at the Country Cabin II in Norton, July 12 at the Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, Aug. 2 at the Rex Theatre in Galax and Aug. 3 at the Carter Fold. The annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion Festival will be held Sept. 13-15 in Bristol. For more information, visit thecrookedroadva.com.
