My first day at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion began with a history lesson, a legendary burger and a full afternoon and evening of music that reminded me why Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, holds such an important place in American music.
The 2026 festival, held September 11–13, marked the 25th anniversary of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. The annual event celebrates Bristol’s musical heritage and the legacy of the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions, while bringing more than 85 artists to stages throughout historic downtown Bristol.
What makes the festival particularly unique is its setting. State Street serves as the border between Tennessee and Virginia, meaning festivalgoers can literally cross state lines while walking between performances. Instead of being confined to a traditional festival field, the music spills into the streets, theaters, parks and historic spaces of downtown.
Starting the Day With Bristol’s Music History
Before heading to the stages, I spent Friday morning at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. It was the perfect way to begin my first Bristol Rhythm & Roots experience.
The museum explores the story behind the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the landmark recordings produced by Ralph Peer that featured artists including the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. After learning about that history, walking through downtown Bristol felt completely different. Everywhere I looked, there seemed to be another connection to the music that helped shape country and roots music.
Next year’s festival will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the original recordings so the lineup is sure to be one for the books.
I stopped for lunch at the Burger Bar, a Bristol institution with its own piece of music lore. There is a long-standing rumor that Hank Williams Sr. was last seen there before his death, so I decided a burger and fries were the appropriate fuel for a long day of music.
Laid Back Country Picker Steals the Show
Laid Back Country Picker was the first act I caught on the Lauderdale Stage, and I immediately became their biggest fan. David Prince, the Country Picker, handled guitar and vocals while his wife, Honey, played drums wearing pink curlers. Yes, pink curlers. I was immediately obsessed.
The husband-and-wife duo are retired teachers from the area, and Prince has an impressive connection to one of country music’s biggest current stars. He was a mentor to Tyler Childers, and Laid Back Country Picker has gone on to open for Childers at both Red Rocks and the Ryman Auditorium. Their set was one of those unexpected festival discoveries that makes spending an entire day moving between stages so rewarding.
The Corklickers Continue Their Festival Tradition
Friday also included performances from Momma Molasses and The Corklickers, one of the few acts to have performed at all 25 editions of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.The Corklickers played the Country Music Mural stage in front of the painting that features producer Ralph Peer alongside early legends like Jimmie Rodgers, The Carter Family, and The Stoneman Family.
Madeline Edwards & Meals Stands Out in the Crowd
Madeline Edwards was another standout. Her powerful vocals were impossible to miss, particularly during “How Strong I Am.” The song has recently received renewed attention after being featured in the Prime Video film Ride or Die, starring Hannah Waddingham, Octavia Spencer and Bill Nighy.
I also caught Meels, a newer Americana artist who immediately landed on my list of artists to watch. She is scheduled to perform at Bourbon & Beyond, and her Bristol set made me understand why she is one to keep an eye on.
Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo Reunite
One of Friday’s special moments came when Jim Lauderdale and Donna the Buffalo joined forces on the State Street Stage for a 25th anniversary celebration.
The performance included “Life By Numbers,” “Wo Wo Wo” and “Headed for the Hills,” giving fans a chance to hear music from artists who have been part of the festival’s history. Lauderdale also played one of his biggest songs written for George Strait “The King of Broken Hearts.”
Lauderdale has a long relationship with Bristol Rhythm & Roots performing during 14 of the previous year. That energy was easy to understand as the day progressed.
Toby Gad, Los Lobos and The War & Treaty
Inside the historic Paramount Theater, songwriter and producer Toby Gad teamed up with cellist Dave Eggar for one of the most fascinating performances of the day. Eggar was dressed in a eye-catching red coat with tails and the duo were backed by a full band onstage.
Gad has written or produced some of pop music’s biggest songs, including John Legend’s “All of Me,” Fergie’s “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and Beyoncé’s “If I Were a Boy.” Rather than simply performing the hits, Gad and Eggar shared the stories behind the songs, with Gad at the piano, Eggar on cello and guest singers bringing the compositions to life.
It was the kind of set I could have stayed for all night, but Los Lobos were waiting on the Piedmont Stage. The legendary group delivered a set filled with fan favorites, including “La Bamba.”
Later, The War & Treaty brought enormous energy to State Street. Michael and Tanya Trotter opened with “Darlene and Gene” and “Shouldn’t Have” before Michael, a veteran, reflected on the significance of September 11 and honoring those who lost their lives 25 years earlier. The duo’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the most emotional moments of the night.
St. Paul and the Broken Bones Close the Night
I ended my first day with St. Paul and the Broken Bones on the Piedmont Stage. Paul Janeway appeared in a sparkling gold cape and matching gold spike shoes, looking every bit like the larger-than-life frontman he is. His powerful vocals and nonstop energy kept the crowd engaged through the final songs.
“Sanctify” provided the perfect finale to a day that had taken me from the roots of country music to contemporary Americana, rock, blues and soul.
After one day in Bristol, I already understood why people return to this festival year after year. The music is only part of the experience. The history, the people, the unexpected discoveries and the fact that the festival is woven directly into the fabric of two-state downtown Bristol make it unlike anywhere else I’ve covered.
And Friday was only the beginning.