Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion This Weekend!
This is it, folks. Another year has passed and Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion time has come again! Rhythm & Roots is a music festival held on State Street in Bristol to celebrate the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the musical heritage of Southwest Virginia and the musical legacy of The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and the like.  This year, in its 9th year, the Rhythm & Roots Reunion will prove to be better than ever, boasting several incredible acts. Sure, they’re all incredible, but I’m going to highlight some of my personal favorites and maybe you’ll get a hankering to head on down…I know I’m going.
First up is Patty Loveless. She’s one of the featured performers and I have no doubt she’ll be fantastic. She’s taken a departure from traditional country music and is now leaning toward bluegrass and music reminscent of her Kentucky home. Next up on my visual and audio wishlist is Darrell Scott. If you can see only one performance, see this one! Mr. Scott is incredible! He has more soul in his pinky than I ever hope to have in this whole body of mine. This is my pick of the weekend…that is, unless he plays with Tim O’Brien. If that happens, you MUST GO! Consider it an early Christmas present. If you find yourself taking my advice skeptically, then check out their album Real Time…No matter what, if he plays Jesus was a Capricorn, you’ll be a believer.
 Others you need to see? Holy Ghost Tent Revival, John Cowan (always a rip roaring good time to be had there), Southwest Virginia Darling Martha Spencer, Pokey Lafarge, and Celtic Adrenaline itself, Scythian.
It’s September 18-20, so make sure you get your tickets now! Stop everything you’re doing and go to http://www.bristolrhythm.com/. You can pick up weekend passes or just go for a day…whatever your choice, just make sure you don’t miss it!
Shai Cullop