Crooked Road: Venues, Fests, and Enjoyable Stops Alongside the Means

The backroads of Americana music crisscross Southwest Virginia, from Rocky Mount to Pennington Gap. Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail—the Crooked Road—winds by means of Appalachia and leads from venue to pageant, to the birthplace of nation music and previous houses of legends who cast a sound by mixing gospel, African rhythms, and Western European folks traditions. In the late 18th century, immigrants from Ireland, England, and Germany arrived within the “new lands” of North America. Africans had arrived on slave ships nearly two centuries earlier. Eventually, the newcomers unfold into the mountainous west. The convergence of customs, particularly in music, blended to create a novel Appalachian id. 

Referred to because the Traditional Appalachian Music interval, music from the 1700s to early 1900s handed from participant to participant. Ballads had been oral traditions, and instrumental tunes inspired dancing. Also presently, Europeans launched the fiddle to American music. Africans introduced the banjo, fashioning gourds into replicas of their native lutes (known as akonting and ngoni). 

As the nation grew, historians acknowledged the significance of cataloging American tradition. Old-time music developed as a revered style that included the wealthy sounds of Southwest Virginia. In this new period, Appalachian music unfold by radio, and in 1927 by way of the recorded disk. The Bristol Sessions, which included performances by A. P., Sara, and Maybelle Carter from Maces Spring in Scott County, totally captured the rhythms of old-time music. It was the “big bang” of nation music—rapidly, the Carters turned the style’s First Family. 

The bodily migration of Appalachian music runs veins by means of each hole and hillside of the Commonwealth. But its roots are deepest in Southwest Virginia. In 2004, Virginia’s musicians, public officers, and residents generally looked for a strategy to showcase this musical heritage. The Crooked Road, a driving path connecting venues, historic sights, and memorable locations of Appalachian music historical past, was born. 

For greater than 22 years, the 330-mile street has grown right into a cultural assertion, a dwelling testomony to the previous, and a titan of preservation. Even Eleanor Roosevelt tried to protect a little bit of the path earlier than it existed; a truth guests can study extra about on their travels by means of Southwest Virginia. This primer will get you rolling by means of the 19 counties alongside the Crooked Road. 

Major Venues

Carter Family Fold, Hiltons

Tucked into the hillside of Clinch Mountain, this legendary venue retains the spirit of the “First Family of Country Music” alive. Today, the 800-seat venue—run by Rita Forrester, Janette Carter’s daughter—hosts bluegrass, folks, and nation performances year-round.

Rex Theatre, Galax

Every Friday evening, WBRF Classic Country 98.1 listeners tune in to listen to Blue Ridge Backroads Live from the Rex. Upcoming acts embrace Becky Buller, the Jeff Little Trio, and The Broken Hearts. Originally opened in 1940 as the world’s first film home, the City of Galax restored this 475-seat gem within the ’90s, and it now anchors Historic Downtown. Don’t miss the free films each Wednesday.

SIDE STOP: Creek Bottom Brewing Co.

A burger of the month, a collection of commonplace and seasonal beers, and dwell, native music make Creek Bottom a well-liked spot for Crooked Road vacationers.
307 N. Meadow St., Galax

Other Major Venues

Southwest Virginia Cultural Center & Marketplace, Abingdon

Country Cabin II, Norton

Blue Ridge Music Center, Galax

Affiliated Venues

Big Walker Lookout, Wytheville

Back when roadside sights reigned, Stuart Kime constructed a 100-foot commentary tower atop Big Walker Mountain. Since 1947, vacationers alongside the scenic byway cease to marvel at sweeping vistas of patchwork farms and spectacular views of the Jefferson National Forest. From May–October, the family-run nation retailer doubles as a music venue, internet hosting free Mountain Top Music concert events by native artists.

SIDE STOP: Skeeter’s

After visiting Big Walker Lookout, swing into downtown Wytheville to seize a scorching canine at Skeeter’s, a lunch counter lovingly caught within the ’50s.

165 E. Main St., Wytheville

Lincoln Theatre, Marion

With its uncommon Mayan Revival structure, the Lincoln Theatre is a showstopper
even earlier than the curtain rises. It is the filming web site for Song of the Mountains, “the official TV series of Virginia,” which options bluegrass, Americana, and old-time legends like Steve Earle and Lorrie Morgan. Airing nationwide, the collection invitations vacationers to catch a dwell taping the primary Saturday of every month.

SIDE STOP: Better Coffee Co.

After an evening on the Lincoln Theater, get a pick-me-up at Better Coffee Co., identified
for his or her nitro creations and critically good donuts.

111 Broad St., Marion

Other Affiliated Venues

Lays Hardware Center for the Arts, Coeburn

Lloyd’s Barber Shop and Banjo Museum, Rural Retreat

Blacksburg Market Square Park, Blacksburg

The Historic 1908 Courthouse, Independence

Festivals

Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, Bristol

This is the large one. Each September, tens of hundreds flood the dual cities of Bristol for a three-day celebration of roots, rhythm, and every thing in between. 

FloydFest, Check

Flatfooters pack the Floyd Country Store year-round for Friday evening jams, however July belongs to FloydFest. This five-day fest blends southern rock, bluegrass, and international grooves—from southern rockers Gov’t Mule to the Afro-Cuban Grammy nominee Cimafunk. Camp beneath the celebs, glamp in consolation, or park your RV. The family-friendly fest retains little ones entertained with the Children’s Universe.

Old Fiddlers Convention, Galax

Galax is the fashionable epicenter of roots music, and since 1935 the Old Fiddlers Convention has summoned toe-tappers to this small city close to the North Carolina border. Hundreds come to choose, bow, and sing, from fresh-faced fiddlers to veteran bluegrass bands. No amps allowed, anyplace. Camping is first-come, first-served, and run by the Galax Moose Lodge.

Museums

Birthplace of Country Music Museum, Bristol

In 1927, the Bristol Sessions modified the recording trade—and this Smithsonian-affiliated museum tells the story. Interactive shows, uncommon recordings, and a working radio station carry the historical past of nation music to life. Monthly speaker collection, concert events, and particular reveals preserve it contemporary.

“These recordings in Bristol in 1927 are the single most important event in the history of country music.” —Johnny Cash

SIDE STOP: Union 41

Celebrity Chef Torrece ‘Chef T’ Gregoire (Hell’s Kitchen, Big Restaurant Bet, Yes, Chef!) made a house in Bristol by adapting a circa Nineteen Thirties bus station right into a culinary expertise.

171 Piedmont Ave., Bristol

Ralph Stanley Museum, Clintwood

Ralph Stanley is bluegrass. Just 8 miles from his birthplace, this museum charts his life from Appalachian roots to international fame. Two flooring of pictures, devices, and tales hint Stanley’s legacy, together with his Grammy for “O Death” from the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? The museum additionally companions with the Jettie Baker Center to carry dwell music to Main Street Clintwood.

Other Museums and Centers:

The Blue Ridge Institute and Farm Museum, Ferrum

Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts, Marion

Southwest Virginia Museum State Park, Big Stone Gap

---

Featured photograph of Mt. Joy acting at FloydFest 2025 by Lexi Simcic. This article initially appeared within the December 2025 situation.