While visiting my BIL in Bristol TN/VA (the state line runs down the middle of main street) we happened by on the weekend they have the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Huge country music festival with over 20 venues and over a hundred bands. And lots of street food. Emmylou Harris was the headliner this year, but most were local or regional groups ranging from folk to bluegrass to gospel to high power country rockers. Music started at 10:30 am and ran until after midnight. http://www.bristolrhythm.com/

In 1927 a New York music producer placed an ad for local music artists to come to Bristol for a week of recording sessions, which became known as the Bristol Sessions. Until that point, there was really no recordings of that genre of music. Most recognizable was the Carter Family and Jimmie Rogers. Johnny Cash called the Bristol Sessions “the single most important event in the history of country music". Also known as the Big Bang of Country Music. In August 2014, the local organizers opened the "Birthplace of Country Museum" in Bristol. We visited there ($13 admission) and were really impressed with the museum. The museum is centered on the Bristol Sessions, but displays and videos are more wide ranging, but in general focus on more traditional country music, not today's modern popular country genre. Stop by if you are going to be in the area, you won't be disappointed. Sorry if this sounds like an ad, but we were really impressed.