The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
Time Needed: multi-day
Experience Type: cultural heritage, scenic drive
Stretching 333 miles, The Crooked Road celebrates Southwest Virginia’s musical heritage. From traditional bluegrass and old-time music to folk, gospel, and Appalachian-influenced blues, the trail links historic venues, cultural centers, and lively performance spaces.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Visit the Blue Ridge Music Center – Enjoy daily noon to 4 pm performances of bluegrass, old-time, and folk music. Exhibits highlight the music’s European and West African roots.
- Step Inside Floyd Country Store – Experience live Appalachian and bluegrass music at the historic Friday Night Jamborees. Browse vintage records, musical memorabilia, and local crafts.
- Explore the Ralph Stanley Museum – Discover memorabilia, instruments, and audio recordings celebrating Ralph Stanley’s lifelong contributions to bluegrass music.
- Tour the Carter Family Fold – Attend authentic Appalachian music performances and explore a museum in A.P. Carter’s former general store, honoring the Carter Family legacy.
- Discover the Birthplace of Country Music Museum – Learn about the 1927 Bristol Sessions, view instruments, and explore early legends who helped shape country music.
Recommended Reading: Will You Miss Me When I’m Gone? offers a well-researched portrait of the Carter family—their lives, struggles, and musical innovations that shaped country and bluegrass. It’s a wonderful companion to enjoy before or after visiting the Carter Family Fold.
Photo Credit: Phillip Reed/Flickr