Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Ralph S. Peer
(1892 - 1960)
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 26, 2009
1. Ralph S. Peer Marker
Ralph S. Peer was born in 1892 in Independence, Missouri. He grew up in the record business, working in the shop where his father sold phonographs and recordings for the Columbia Graphophone Company.
After service in WWI, as a talent scout for the Okeh record label during the early 1920's, Peer made the landmark recordings of Fiddlin' John Carson, Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, Al Hopkins' Hill Billies, and others. In late July and early August of 1927, shortly after he joined the Victor Talking Machine Company, he discovered and recorded the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers in Bristol, Tennessee, producing what is now referred to as the "Bristol Sessions".
Those sessions, which were recorded just east of here in the 400 block of State Street, led to the designation of Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music" by both houses of the United States Congress in 1998.
Peer formed the first major country music publishing firm, Southern Music Publishing Company, Inc. in 1928. Subsequently called peermusic, the firm now operates worldwide.
Erected by Matthew & Kay Mills.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in
this page online
Location. 36° 35.701′ N, 82° 11.265′ W. Marker has been reported damaged. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is at the intersection of State Street and Ralph S. Peer Street on State Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 830 State Street, Bristol TN 37620, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in the Tri-Cities Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, the State of Franklin, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Bristol, Tenn-VA/Birthplace/Country Music
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024
2. Ralph S. Peer Marker showing extensive deterioration
The marker has weathered significantly but remains generally legible.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Birthplace of Country Music (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 26, 2009
3. Ralph S. Peer Marker
Photographed by Mark Parker, October 4, 2024
4. Ralph Peer Street sign in front of the marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,335 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on October 4, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. Photos: 1. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 2. submitted on October 4, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. 3. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. 4. submitted on October 4, 2024, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
