Highlights

We are happy to accommodate Groups who want to add a night or two, or further customize their trip.

StarrGroups Flexible Pricing:

• Customizable Comps
• Net Rates
• Luxury or First Class Hotels & Meals
• Starr Motorcoach Transportation & Professional Tour Managers are available

Whatever you want, StarrGroups will be happy to structure tour prices to match your needs. Just let us know!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Bristol, VA – Fort Porch Pickin’ – Today, travel to Bristol, VA.  Check into your hotel for a two night stay. We suggest the New Bristol Hotel located on the historic downtown beside the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.  This 65-room bou­tique hotel features a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains, street-front dining with family-style regional fare and guest rooms filled with feel good comforts.

Tonight you enjoy a country dinner and a little Front Porch Pickin’. A traditional Appalachian evening with musicians coming together for no other reason than the joy of playing. It’s through these impromptu gatherings that much of the old-time country, gospel and bluegrass music has been preserved. This is a very casual night.  (D)

Day 2 – Gospel Brunch – Birthplace of Country Music – Carter Family Fold – It’s Sunday Morning in Southwestern Virginia and it begins with a Gospel Brunch at Heartwood.  A modern artisan center in nearby Abingdon, Heartwood blends Appalachian heritage, local craftsmanship (arts) with culinary delights.  You will enjoy live Gospel Music from local mountain musicians and a beautiful buffet filled with farm fresh Virginia foods.  You will also time to shop for Virginia Mountain art and craft work.   Sightseeing in Abingdon will include other local sights as time allows.

The afternoon features the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. An affiliate of the Smithsonian this museum is dedicated to telling the story of the Bristol Sessions, an event that has become known as the “The Big Bang of Country Music,” perhaps the single greatest moment in recording history – it was the first commercially successful, music recording session.  In 1927 a talent scout for the Victor Talking Machine Company installed a portable recording device (it still took four men had to carry it) in a hat factory on State Street in Bristol. He advertised, inviting musicians to record the music of the Appalachians. Among the first few were The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, both destined to be legends. Through this museum the authenticity of that single moment and this region’s rich music legacy sing loud and proud today.  Included for every U S Tours Group is a private screening of the documentary “Born in Bristol.”

After the museum you have free time in downtown Bristol where State Street separates Virginia from Tennessee. There are many quaint shops, antiques, boutique clothing stores, fine art and more. You can take pictures with the famous Bristol sign, stand in Two States at once, and buy yourself a milkshake at the Burger Bar (rumored to be the restaurant where Hank Williams ate his last meal).

Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.  Following which your group has a 45 minute, country drive to Hiltons, VA for an evening at the Carter Family Fold. Dedicated to the First Family of Country Music, the legendary Carters (A.P. Sara and Maybelle), who were at the 1927 Bristol Session, and who have been given the greatest share of the credit for giving birth to commercial country music industry.

You will have time to visit the A.P. Carter Cabin, and the Music Center whose objective it is to promote the old-time music. You will see family artifacts and hear conversation from docents about them – including a famous son-in-law.  But the highlight is the Carter Family Fold music show. In keeping with their traditional music style, no electrical instruments are allowed (it’s all acoustic). This is not your typical Country Music show, it’s old time joyful music with local folks who come every week and dance for the sheer joy of it. (B,D)

Day 3 – Option:  Depart for Home – or – Day 3 – Nashville – Johnny Cash Museum – Ryman – Dinner at Ole Red’s

This morning you leave the mountains of Southwest Virginia either traveling home or following the route of many mountain musicians – to Nashville. You will spend two nights here in a first class hotel. Groups who want can upgrade to the Gaylord Opryland – ask us to price a better trip.

This afternoon you’ll find an immediate connection to Bristol, at the new Johnny Cash Museum. Johnny was, of course, that famous son-in-law, married to June Carter Cash the daughter of Mother Maybelle Carter.  This Nashville museum features the largest and most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts and memorabilia in the world. It chronicles the life of the “Man in Black” with interactive technology, artifacts, stage costumes, instruments and personal letters. You will walk away with a wonderful introspective on both Johnny and June.

Next on tour is the Ryman Auditorium, the “Mother Church of Country Music.” From 1943 to 1974 the Ryman was the home of The Grand Ole Opry. The legends of country music all played here, it’s a romantic and historic landmark that is often used today for concerts and movies.  After this tour you’ll be able to say, you too were on the Ryman Stage.

Tonight, get your Honky Tonk on one of Nashville’s newest restaurants and music venue, Ole Red’s. In the heart of Downtown Nashville, Ole Red is inspired by Opry member Blake Shelton’s clever, irreverent song about the Warden’s dog, “Ol’ Red.(B,D)

Day 4 – Troubadour Sightseeing Tour – Hall of Fame – Grand Ole Opry – This morning you meet our Troubadour, a Nashville singer / songwriter who is also your tour guide. Your sightseeing tour begins with the downtown area where you learn about its colorful history and beautiful architecture. You drive by the world famous Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Honky Tonk Row, the original Ernest Tubb Record Shop and more.  As you motor thru Music Row you learn about the recording industry.  You will hear insight from your Troubadour about what it is like to be immersed in the Nashville music scene, both the struggles and the victories!  This is an “Only in Nashville” kind of experience!

Then it’s off to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the keeper of priceless Country Music Treasures. Your self-guided tour is a walk through history, one that leads you from the earliest folk traditions to the music that thrills millions of fans today. Every tour ends in the Hall of Fame Rotunda, the never-ending Circle, and storied home of the inductees.

As time allows your group can explore the Downtown. Visit Ernest Tubbs, shop for Cowboy Boots, have a beer at Tootsies and soak in the atmosphere that is unique to Music City.

For dinner you’ll find that the most famous show in country music is now making its mark on Southern cuisine, in a new Nashville restaurant as uniquely entertaining as the Grand Ole Opry itself.  Your dinner this evening is at the Backstage Grill, where country cooking and music define the menu.

Next, it’s showtime.  For more than 85 years, country’s best performers have mesmerized audiences at the Grand Ole Opry – a continuously broadcast Live Radio Show. Each Opry features a variety of new stars, superstars and the legends of music. You’ll hear the very best in country with a little bluegrass and comedy added in.  This is live and unrehearsed, you never see the same show twice.

The 1927 Bristol Sessions were the ‘Big Bang of Country Music’ and you visited the birthplace, the very spot where the explosion first sparked; now tonight you find yourself seated in the center of this ever expanding Musical Universe filled with brilliant lights and glorious lyrics.  (B,D)

Day 5 – Departure – After breakfast this morning, you will depart for home.  (B)

Tour Map