Branson Music Fest
Branson, Missouri
For years, the local chamber of commerce in Branson, Missouri, hosted an annual spring festival to highlight the diversity of musical entertainers that work at the city’s many theaters. When the chamber ended its sponsorship of the event, the Branson Travel Planning Association (BTPA) took it over and reimagined it as the Branson Music Fest.
The two-day festival is held midweek in late April at the Welk Resort.
“We began five years ago, and the first one was lightly attended,” said Toyea Youngblood of Branson Ticket and Travel, who serves as president of BTPA. “But we’ve grown over the past five years. Last year, we had about 2,100 people in total.”
The celebration begins both mornings in a large tent set up just outside the resort theater. Local businesses set up booths in the tent and give away prizes, and performers are on hand to take photos and sign autographs. The tent also serves as the venue for some fun and friendly competitions, such as the Branson Celebrity Iron Chef Cookoff.
In the afternoon, the celebration moves into the resort’s Champaign Theatre.
“We have the big main-stage show there,” Youngblood said. “It goes about three hours, and there are anywhere between 10 and 12 different Branson entertainers who each do a 10- to 15-minute set. You get a nice sample of the entertainers, and each day we do a completely different lineup.”
The music festival is part of the See the World in Branson celebration, during which local businesses decorate and theme their services to honor different countries from around the world. It also coincides with World-Fest at Silver Dollar City amusement park.
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Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion
Bristol, Tennessee and Virginia
The town of Bristol straddles the small border between Virginia and Tennessee, and is noted by many music historians as the place where modern country music was created. Today, an organization called the Birthplace of Country Music commemorates the area’s role in the development of America’s signature musical style.
“The festival started as a way of celebrating Bristol’s heritage,” said Charlene Baker, director of marketing and communications for the organization. “A lot of people see ‘Roots’ in the title of the festival and think of it as a traditional American country and bluegrass festival. But it’s a roots festival that reaches out to the branches of many genres based in the roots of our heritage.”
Festivalgoers are likely to see acts that represent a variety of country, bluegrass, folk rock and Americana styles. The 2014 festival featured such luminaries as Emmylou Harris, Jeff Tweedy (of Wilco fame) and Willie Watson. They joined approximately 160 other acts that performed over the three-day festival, which takes place the third weekend in September.
In addition to the interesting lineup, the reunion has a number of other distinctive features.
“It’s a different feel from other festivals because we take over five blocks of State Street,” Baker said. “We have a number of outdoor stages, and people can walk the line between Tennessee and Virginia hearing different artists. It’s an intimate, downtown, homey atmosphere. You’re not out in a muddy field somewhere.”
The festival’s six major outdoor stages are all located near downtown landmarks such as a historic train station; a mural that depicts the “Bristol Sessions” that sparked modern country music; and Burger Bar, the restaurant where Hank Williams is believed to have eaten his last meal. Restaurants, clubs, a performing arts center and other venues also play host to smaller, indoor stages.
Groups that attend the festival should also make time to visit the newly opened Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
“Many artists who have played at the festival are featured in films and on the walls,” Baker said. “There are a lot of listening stations and ways that you can hear the stories of the Bristol Sessions.”
