February 1–24, 2020 @ Birthplace of Country Music Museum
BRISTOL, Va./Tenn. — Congratulations are in order for 13 songwriters who will participate in theTennessee Songwriters Week Qualifying Round at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Historic Downtown Bristol Feb. 1.
Songwriters from across the region have submitted their original songs to the Birthplace of Country Music for judging in the first qualifying round for Tennessee Songwriters Week. A few of these artists will be chosen to move up to perform during one of six Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases. Finalists from the showcases get the opportunity to share their music on the historic stage at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Tennessee Songwriters Week Qualifiers from Bristol are as follows:
Everyone is invited to view the competition to be held in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1 p.m. Tickets are$15 to the public and available through the Events page atBirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
The second annual Tennessee Songwriters Week will take place Feb. 23-29.For more information about Tennessee Songwriters Week visittnvacation.com/songwriters-week.
Wayne Henderson & Presley Barker and The Kody Norris Show are slated to perform at Radio Bristol'sFarm and Fun Timelive variety show Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., with a pre-show listening party for the recently restoredFarm and Fun Timeradio transcription disc scheduled for ticket-holders at 6:30 p.m.
After the museum received preservation support from theVirginia Association of Museums, theNortheast Document Conservation Centerhas spent the past year engaged in the delicate task of putting aFarm and Fun Timetranscription disc back together, using their technology and expertise to extract the songs and sounds of this original live recording of the Stanley Brothers with the Clinch Mountain Boys from the 1940s or 1950s.
Hosted by Kris Truelsen and his house band Bill and the Belles,Farm and Fun Timeis a celebration of Appalachian music and culture.
At just 14 years old, Presley Barker is a guitarist from Traphill, North Carolina, who has performed on NBC'sToday Showwith Al Roker,Little Big Shotswith Steve Harvey, and the Grand Ole Opry. He joins National Heritage Fellowship recipient and renowned luthier Wayne Henderson on stage for a finger-pickin' good time.
The Kody Norris Show, theretro-rockabilly ensemble with colorful rhinestone-encrusted suits, will also perform, tipping a hat to vaudeville with humor and the same traditions created by Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers and Jimmy Martin.
Tickets to be part of the studio audience for this fun and entertaining program are $30, on sale atListenRadioBristol.org.
Musicians of all ages and skill levels gather at the museum for a livelyCommunity Jamsession Saturday, Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. There is no cost to participate. Later that evening everyone is invited to an old-fashionedSquare Dancein the Special Exhibits Gallery with live music and led by caller Tyler Hughes. This is a free event, but those interested in attending are asked to RSVP through the Events page atBirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
On Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. the museum will host a screening of the Smithsonian Channel documentaryLegend of Lead Bellyas part of its 2020 Film Series. The screening is free and open to the public, but guests are asked to RSVP online through the Events page atBirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Additionally, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum needs volunteers Several times a year the museum hosts volunteer training sessions so potential volunteers can explore their individual areas of interest. Volunteers are needed in a number of behind-the-scenes and front line roles. The next museum Volunteer Training session takes place Monday, Feb. 24 from 2-5 p.m. For more information, emailvolunteercoordinator@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.
Category: Music