The Crooked Road has accepted six new Affiliate Venues onto Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. The 2026 Affiliate Venue additions include the Newport Community Center, the Flat Ridge Community Center, the Fancy Gap Country Store, the Chilhowie JAM-Boree, the Fries Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention and Blue Highway Fest.
The Crooked Road’s Affiliate Venues showcase the finest in traditional music and present a unique experience based on their historical and cultural significance. There are currently 46 Affiliate Venues along The Crooked Road, representing a collection of venues, festivals, jams and concert series across Southwest Virginia. As part of their recognition onto Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, each venue is presented with an official banner, marking its place along The Crooked Road. All presentations are open to the public as The Crooked Road celebrates these milestones.
The Newport Community Center in Giles County hosts a biweekly jam, welcoming local and regional musicians. “The tunes and stories woven through generations here are lifted up and carried forward through this recognition and through the beloved bluegrass and old-time jam sessions,” says Cora Gnegy, tourism director of Giles County. The Newport Community Center is presented with their banner on Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m.
The Flat Ridge Community Center in Grayson County hosts a weekly meal and jam, from April through December. For 21 years, the Flat Ridge Community Center has provided family-friendly fun for the community. “Being welcomed into The Crooked Road means more than a place on the map for Flat Ridge Community Center. It honors the musicians who share their talents freely, the volunteers who serve with open hearts, and the neighbors and visitors from far and near who gather here each Saturday night,” says Michelle Galyean, Flat Ridge Community Center board member. The Flat Ridge Community Center will be presented with their banner Saturday, May 9 at 6 p.m. `
The Fancy Gap Country Store in Carroll County hosts a weekly jam, as well as operates an old-time country store. The Fancy Gap Country Store is owned and operated by Mark Gaydos, who opened the store to share his love of mountain music “We are honored here at The Fancy Gap Country Store to be an affiliate of The Crooked Road and for helping us put Fancy Gap back on the music map,” says Gaydos. The Fancy Gap Country Store banner presentation is to be announced.
The Chilhowie JAM-Boree in Smyth County is a weekly jam hosted by The Chilhowie Lion’s Club. The Chilhowie JAM-Boree banner presentation is to be announced.
The Fries Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention is an annual convention held in Grayson County. Kevin Combs, Fries tourism director, describes joining The Crooked Road as “another way to share the music, peopleand sense of place that have shaped this community for generations.” The Fries Old-Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention are presented with their banner during the convention, which is to take place Aug.13-15.
Blue Highway Fest is a music festival held annually in Wise County. The festival brings world-class musicians together in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Ked Meade, Big Stone Gap tourism director, says joining The Crooked Road, “helps bring more visitors to Big Stone Gap, supports local musicians and businesses, and highlights our town as a place where live music and tradition are still very much alive.” Blue Highway Fest is presented with their banner during the festival, which is to take place Oct. 8-11.
Applications for affiliate status along The Crooked Road open in August. For more information about The Crooked Road, visitwww.thecrookedroadva.com, call (276) 492-2400 or emailcontact@thecrookedroadva.com.
