In the summer of 1927, Victor Records talent scout Ralph Peer set up a temporary recording studio in Bristol, Tennessee, and changed American music forever. The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers walked in unknown and walked out as the founding artists of country music. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum — a Smithsonian affiliate — tells this extraordinary story through immersive exhibits, rare recordings, and interactive experiences that put you in that makeshift studio where it all began. Whether you're a country music devotee or a curious traveler, this museum will move you.

The 1927 Bristol Sessions are widely recognized as the 'Big Bang of Country Music.' Ralph Peer, a talent scout for Victor Talking Machine Company, conducted recording sessions in Bristol from July 25 to August 5, 1927. Among the artists recorded were the Carter Family (A.P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter) and Jimmie Rodgers. These sessions are credited with launching the commercial country music industry and establishing Bristol as the Birthplace of Country Music, a designation recognized by the U.S. Congress in 1998.

Visitor Tips

• ›Allow at least 90 minutes — the interactive exhibits deserve your full attention
• ›The listening stations with rare recordings are the hidden gems
• ›Walk across State Street after your visit — you'll be standing on the Tennessee-Virginia state line
• ›Visit during Bristol Rhythm & Roots for the ultimate country music immersion
• ›The gift shop has unique vinyl and music memorabilia you won't find anywhere else

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