Northern Loop: Ferrum, Patrick, Floyd, Galax, Grayson/Carroll County

Entry point: Wytheville – I-77 or Roanoke

Music and Moonshine

Ferrum, Patrick County and Floyd County are homes to traditional old time and mountain music. Pick up some popcorn and lemonade at the Floyd Country Store while listening to music, or visit County Records to look through their music catalogs.  Also, there are numerous festivals around the year in Patrick County as well.  These areas are also known for their home brewed moonshine! 

Fiddler’s Fantasy, Picker’s Paradise

The fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar. . . . well, any instrument is welcome in Galax.  Home to the Old Fiddler’s Convention and the Rex Theatre, Galax is a Mecca for mountain musicians.  Also, visit the Blue Ridge Music Institute in Grayson/Carroll County for live performances. The New River Bike Trail is also located here.

Middle Loop: Abingdon, Damascus, Bristol, Hiltons

Entry point: Abingdon – I-81

One Crooked Road, Many Musical Mountain Trails.
In Abingdon, visit the Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia.  There you can see performances of classics, dramas, comedies and contemporary plays.  Also, swing into Damascus, “Trail Town USA,” where several trails converge, including the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail.

Music’s Fast Track

Come to Bristol TN/VA, a city full of history including railroads, car racing and music.  Designated the “Birthplace of Country Music” by Congress in 1998, Bristol is location of the 1927 RCA Victor recording sessions which produced stars such as the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. The Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum features memorabilia from Bristol’s musical past.

Family Ties That Bind

Travel to Hiltons and Clintwood Virginia and see The Carter Fold & the A.P.Carter Museum. Live music is played here every Saturday night, acoustic only, in the tradition of the Original Carter Family and the mountain music they made famous. The Ralph Stanley Museum and Mountain Music Center in Clintwood, VA is dedicated to the life of a great bluegrass pioneer.

Western Loop:  Bristol, Hiltons, Norton, Coeburn, Clintwood

Entry point: Bristol – I-81

History and Heritage

Bristol TN/VA is not only the “Birthplace of Country Music,” but is also a city that encourages the growth and performance of old time music. The Rhythm and Roots Reunion music festival is held every September, with music performances that include bluegrass, celtic, gospel and mountain music. Also, the Paramount Center features concerts year round.

O Brother and Beyond

In addition to The Carter Fold & the A.P.Carter Museum and the Ralph Stanley Museum and Mountain Music Center, there are additional festivals and live performances in this area.  Coeburn. . . . . Norton. . . . . 

Venues:

		The Floyd Country Store & County Records, Galax, VA
		Rex Theatre, Galax, VA
		Blue Ridge Institute, Ferrum, VA
		Blue Ridge Music Center, Grayson/Carroll County, VA
		Birthplace of Country Music Alliance Museum, Bristol, VA
		Carter Family Fold & A.P. Carter Museum, Hiltons, VA
		Ralph Stanley Museum & Traditional Mountain Music Center, Hiltons, VA

Attractions:

		Rooftop of Virginia Craft Shop, Galax, VA
		New River Bike Trail, Galax, VA
		Harmons Museum, The Heritage Shoppe & Front Porch Gallery, Galax, VA
		Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA
		Virginia Creeper Trail, Abingdon, VA
		William King Regional Arts Center, Abingdon, VA
		Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, TN/VA
		Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol TN/VA
		Bristol Caverns, Bristol, TN/VA