ALONG THE Crooked Road

A Toe Tappin’ Good Time

Whether you’re a fan of country music or tend to shy away from the genre, The Crooked Road is a quintessential part of Southwest Virginia. This heritage music trail celebrates the incredible talent that has shaped country music into what it is today. Follow your ears as you sashay down the bends and turns of scenic byways to your next destination with these top stops along The Crooked Road.

GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE CROOKED ROAD

It may seem daunting to know where to start your journey along The Crooked Road, as it covers over 480 kilometres of picturesque countryside. So for your intro, head to the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace in Abingdon. This cultural venue, which is the Crooked Road HQ, has unique trail exhibits and is staffed by knowledgeable music lovers loaded with insider tips. If you’re planning on spending some time in Abingdon, make room in your itinerary for their open jam nights on Thursdays.

BOOGIE THE NIGHT AWAY AT THE FLOYD COUNTRY STORE

If there is any way to ring in the weekend in Southwest Virginia, it’s with the Friday Night Jamboree at the renowned Floyd Country Store. The live bluegrass performers will mesmerize you as they strum effortlessly to create melodies you feel in your bones. It’s not long before the wooden frame of this quaint dance hall reverberates with foot stomping by enthusiastic locals—and don’t be surprised if they charm you into a jig like Randy did to me! This friendly gesture may surprise you but through these unscripted experiences you will be connected to the heart and soul of Appalachia.

EXPERIENCE WHERE COUNTRY MUSIC WAS BORN

Virginia probably isn’t top of mind as the country music birthplace. But back in 1927 during the Bristol Sessions, a field unit from the Victor Talking Machine Company arrived for the first recordings of country music (think “The Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers, and the Carter Family), which ultimately transformed the genre. In Bristol, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum dives deep into these iconic sessions with interactive exhibits. Feel the goosebumps as you don headphones listening to the melodies of bluegrass bands. You can even try yodelling so belt it out at the top of your lungs but remember— everyone in the museum can hear you!

The Crooked Road is the mesh that binds the old and new, creating a circle that won’t be broken. The heritage drive along US 58 is a living history trail of inspiring locals, who will entice you to slow down and linger for a while. Whether you stop in for a jamboree or to try your hand at fiddle making, The Crooked Road will connect you to the heart and soul of Southwest Virginia. DS