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

Inscription. 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 these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • War, World I. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location.

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36° 35.701′ N, 82° 11.265′ W. Marker is in Bristol, Tennessee, in Sullivan County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Birthplace of Country Music (within shouting distance of this marker); The E.W. King Building (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Evan Shelby's Fort (approx. 0.2 miles away); Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bristol Tennessee Post Office & Custom House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Shelby's Fort (approx. ¼ mile away); Cathy DeCaterina (approx. 0.3 miles away); Jimmie Rodgers (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bristol.

Photographed By Stanley and Terrie Howard, September 26, 2009

2. Ralph S. Peer Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 925 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 26, 2009, by Stanley and Terrie Howard of Greer, South Carolina. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.