State Line Music

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion
This past weekend State Street in Bristol VA/TN shook with the sounds of feet hitting the pavement and bluegrass crawling around every hole in the area. Bluegrass techniques ranged from traditional, to old timey, to progressive and every one of them sounded just right under those clear blue mountain skies. I think this venue is probably the perfect place if you want to get down to the grit of music. Since Bristol was the first place to record country music and since groups like the Carter Family likely walked through those same rickety doorways there is no other perfect place to gather and celebrate the true spirit of a song. We sang, danced, drank, ate, listened, bought carving boards, and celebrated with the winner of the great chili cook off. By the way we should congratulate some of our fellow hillbillies for their help in one of the chili booths. How did you guys do? As the day grew with a crisp mountain night chill and the sun setting perfectly at the end of State Street the festivities grew even louder. Artists like Seldom Scene, Darrell Scott, The Del McCoury Band, and one of my best friends Ron Dunbar climbed onto the stage with a fire lit under them. The energy of the weekend could not have been better and the music was gasoline.




I do have to say that I missed seeing Old Crow Medicine Show this year. Last year was a special time for me.