Bristol in Sullivan County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Bristol, Tenn-VA/Birthplace/Country Music
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), July 2, 2026
1. Bristol, Tenn-VA/Birthplace/Country Music Marker
First Country Music Recordings
July August 1927
State Street, Bristol
Ralph Peer/Victor Carter Family
Stonemans Jimmie Rodgers
1927
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1927.
Location. 36° 35.693′ N, 82° 11.233′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. It is on State Street east of Ralph Peer Street, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 810 State St, Bristol VA 24201, 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,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ralph S. Peer (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line in Virginia); 629 State Street (about 700 feet away in Virginia); Evan Shelby's Fort (about 700 feet away); The E.W. King Building (about 800 feet away); King/Lancaster/McCoy/Mitchell House (approx. 0.2 miles away in Virginia); Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) (approx. 0.2 miles away); WCYB's "Farm and Fun Time" (approx. 0.2 miles away in Virginia). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Birthplace of Country Music (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Kathy Walker, October 19, 2009
3. Mural and Stage
This stage formerly stood in front of the mural.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on November 3, 2009, by Kathy Walker of Stafford, Virginia.
