BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC, INC.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The 1927 Bristol Sessions resulted in Bristol TN/VA being designated the “Birthplace of Country Music” by the US Congress in 1998. The history, importance, impact, and legacy of those Bristol Sessions need to be promoted, perpetuated and celebrated for the general benefit of the people of Bristol and the surrounding region, and for the general understanding of the role of the Bristol Sessions in the history of American music.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
An music festival held annually during the third week-end of September. Downtown Bristol is open only to foot traffic, while 50,000 music lovers listen to over 120 bands on 21 stages.
The award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival celebrates 18 years September 21-23, 2018 in Historic Downtown Bristol, VA-TN, the birthplace of country music!
Bristol Rhythm isn’t just a music festival. It’s an infectious, three-day music experience, bursting with creative passion, electricity, and soul. It’s an annual celebration of Bristol, VA-TN’s rich history as the place where the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings created the “big bang” of country music; they were the recordings that brought early country music to the mainstream and were the first recordings of The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
The influence of the 1927 Bristol Sessions can still be heard in the soundtrack of today. It’s the roots and far-reaching branches of those seminal recordings that fuels the lineup of each Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion takes place in Historic Downtown Bristol, VA-TN on State Street and the surrounding area. Located on the Virginia and Tennessee border with 20 outdoor stages and indoor venues and more than 120 acts of live music, Bristol Rhythm takes visitors on a journey through Appalachia’s musical past, present, and future.
Past performers at Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion include Dwight Yoakam, The Avett Brothers, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Doc Watson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Moon Taxi, Steve Earle & The Dukes, Patty Loveless, Lucinda Williams, Emmylou Harris, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, Corey Harris, Colin Hay, and many, many more.
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
The 24,000 sq. ft. museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. It houses numerous interactive and digital video experiences regarding Bristol's place in the history of American music. It Includes an operating radio station (Radio Bristol), a 100 stadium seating performance theater, a special exhibits gallery for rotating exhibits, and a museum store with handcrafted items from over 55 juried artisans.
Radio Bristol
Radio Bristol is a network of channels that showcase the diversity of American roots music from the early recording era to today. Reaching the world through its online media center, Radio Bristol produces original programming through recordings and live sessions from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the region.
WBCM-LP Radio Bristol is our local channel broadcasting from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in historic downtown Bristol. WBCM provides an eclectic mix of American roots music centered upon live performances like the Radio Bristol Sessions and Farm and Fun Time. WBCM Radio Bristol airs locally in the Bristol-area on 100.1 FM, streaming four channels worldwide. Listeners in over 130 countries.
Where we work
External reviews
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of Print Ads
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of press releases developed and distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of website sessions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of Facebook followers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Museum Volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Volunteer Docents
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Festival Volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Festival Attendance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Live Radio Programs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Radio Bristol
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Members of the 1927 Society
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
1927 Society Annual Member Contributions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Unbroken Circle Society Members (Have given more than $5000 cumulative giving)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Grant Dollars Received
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Museum Attendance
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Through its three branches – the Smithsonian Institution affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival, and Radio Bristol radio station – the Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. (BCM) aims to: 1) promote and celebrate the 1927 Bristol Sessions as well as the broader musical heritage of Bristol and its surrounding region; and 2) to educate both children and adults as to the detailed history, legacy, and impact of the Bristol Sessions. By accomplishing these objectives we will increase pride in our community, create recognition and a positive economic impact for Bristol and its surrounding region, and cement Bristol as an “epicenter” of American music as currently designated in the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Create a Strong Organization - We acknowledge that our people are our most important resource.
Create Financial Security -Financial viability is essential to our success and our sustainability.
Create Outstanding Museum, Festival and Radio Experiences - Provide our visitors, listeners, and general audiences with experiences that teach, entertain, delight, and spark curiosity.
Create Awareness and Demand - We will create awareness, interest, and excitement with regard to who we are and what we have to offer.
Achieve Programming Excellence - We will develop and present programs, publications, and events that engage our audiences.
Utilize Best Practices - We will incorporate recognized and generally accepted best practices and concepts into our policies, procedures, and plans for all elements of governance, operations, and programming.
Be A Resource - We will serve as a community resource and leader in interpreting the history, impact, and legacy of the 1927 Bristol Sessions.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
BCM is well positioned to implement its strategies. We have a dedicated staff focused on achieving excellence and continuously improving. We have a well-functioning Board of Directors who are executing their fiduciary responsibilities to the organization and adhering to best practices in nonprofit governance. Additionally, we have an appreciative community that supports us and provides hundreds of volunteers to help us achieve our mission. Our capabilities are enhanced due to our 24,000 sq. ft. state-of-the art interactive, Smithsonian affiliated museum, our fast –developing radio station, and our well-known festival.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our organization came about through the merger in late 2012 of two prior 501c3 organizations – one that dealt with the music festival which was first held in 2001, and the other that was focused on building and operating a museum. Since our founding in 2012 we have:
- Built the 24,000 sq. ft. Birthplace of Country Music Museum which opened August 2014.
- Launched Radio Bristol, a radio station with 4 channels including one FM channel, and three other channels (streaming)
- Managed and successfully executed all Bristol Rhythm & Roots Music Festivals starting in 2013
- Built a streamlined organization with the proper plans, protocols, and procedures necessary to comply with nonprofit best practices.
- Developed educational and outreach programs
- Our current focus is on continuously improving all aspect of how we operate our organization, establishing a firm financial footing for the future through well-planned development programs, and continuing to strengthen our staff and volunteer base.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC, INC.
Board of directorsas of 11/15/2022
Edd Hill
Dan Bieger
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No