Country Music Hot Spots in the South

Country music is all about roots, and in Southern USA they run deep. A country music trip is about more than just great entertainment. With these destinations, you’ll take a closer look at how country music came to be. Learn about its roots in folk music and bluegrass, commemorate musical legends and discover up-and-coming artists.

Nashville, Tennessee – Popular Country: This is the city where country legends are born. New stars such as Taylor Swift and Jason Aldean come together on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium, home of the famed Grand Ole Opry, and you can trace the legends of yesterday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Johnny Cash Museum. Broadway boasts legendary honky-tonks (Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge), traditional country clubs (Robert’s Western World) and shops selling Western apparel (Boot Barn). For six years, the city was also home to the hit TV show “Nashville.”

Bristol, Virginia/Tennessee – Birthplace of Country Music: Straddling the border of Virginia and Tennessee, the city of Bristol was the site of the first country recordings. The 1927 Bristol Sessions are among the moments and artists captured at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. For live music, there’s the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, which takes over chunks of both sides of the state border every fall. For some eats, check out the Burger Bar which, according to legend, was the site of the legendary Hank Williams Sr.’s last meal. The U.S. Congress officially declared Bristol the birthplace of country music in 1998.

Owensboro, Kentucky – Bluegrass Roots: The birthplace of bluegrass hosts the annual ROMP Festival, which features all-time greats such as Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss and new acts such as Fireside Collective. If you want to get schooled on the history, check out the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. You can also see live shows at the museum or the Owensboro Sportscenter, which has hosted numerous concerts by legendary performers, including country greats Merle Haggard, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

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