Rhythm & Roots Reunion Set To Kick Off Eighth Annual Music Festival

T.G. Sheppard hails from West Tennessee, but taking the stage tonight at the Rhythm & Roots Reunion will still be something of a homecoming.

The eighth annual music festival – expected to draw a total of 20,000 to 25,000 to downtown Bristol –  kicks off its three-day run this evening with shows in downtown Bristol.

Sheppard, whose three-decade recording career includes 20 No. 1 singles, is scheduled to sing at 9:30 p.m. on the State Street stage.

Besides performing at Bristol’s Viking Hall several years ago, the 66-year-old Sheppard said he has some fond memories of the Twin City for another reason – NASCAR.

For eight years during the 1980s and early 1990s, Sheppard served as the spokesman for Folger’s Coffee and was involved with NASCAR teams owned by Morgan-McClure Motorsports, Rick Hendrick and Jack Roush. 

He also previously operated a bed and breakfast, a restaurant and a music theater in the Gatlinburg area.

“My roots run very deep in Bristol,” Sheppard said this week during a phone interview. “I’ve got a lot of fond memories. With Gatlinburg being just a hop, skip and a jump down the road, I feel like we’re coming home.”

Sheppard’s friend and Nashville attorney, Gary Baker, previously owned Bristol Motor Speedway and the country singer was a regular visitor to the “World’s Fastest Half-Mile.”

“Bristol is still the greatest race track on the NASCAR circuit,” Sheppard said. “I was able to come to Bristol when it didn’t have nearly as many seats as it does now. I love NASCAR and if you haven’t seen it in person, you haven’t seen it.”

Despite a touring and recording schedule that hasn’t lost any steam, Sheppard said he remains friends with many in the sport, including Mark Martin, Darrell Waltrip, Ken Schrader and Geoff Bodine.

Much like Waltrip dominated races at Bristol, Sheppard seemingly owned the top spot on country recording charts in the late 1970s and early 1980s. During one stretch, he posted 10 consecutive No. 1 singles and a string of gold records.

Despite not currently receiving much airplay on country radio, Sheppard said his career continues unabated.

“I’m working as much as I ever did,” Sheppard said. “Not being on the radio really hasn’t affected me at all. I find interest in classic country is on the upswing and a country crowd is not fickle. They still enjoy the music, even if it’s not played on the radio every day.”

With a string of hits like “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I Loved Them Every One,” “Party Time,” and “War is Hell on the Homefront Too,” Sheppard has plenty of material for his live shows.

He also recently completed recording his 56th album, a series of duets with Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, the Oak Ridge Boys and others.

While none of his duet partners will be in Bristol, the festival’s opening night lineup includes plenty of talent. Other headliners are The Dan Tyminski Band, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Darrell Scott, The Infamous Stringdusters, Mike Marshall and Big Trio, Reagan Boggs and Robinella.

Three scheduled acts have cancelled, festival Executive Director Leah Ross said.

Texas-based country rockers The Mother Truckers, Josh Green and the Kamikaze Hearts won’t appear at this year’s festival and those slots will be filled in the lineup.

Shows are scheduled throughout the weekend on three outdoor and 12 indoor stages along State Street. State Street and most of its adjoining side streets between the Volunteer Parkway and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard will remain closed to traffic through Sunday night.

Today’s performances are set to begin at 5 p.m. and continue past midnight. The Paramount Center for the Arts again will stage the Midnight Super Jam, hosted by Mike Marshall and featuring many other festival performers.

Tickets for all events are still available. A weekend pass costs $40, while individual tickets for Friday or Saturday are $20 each and Sunday costs $15. Children ages 12 and under will get in free.

The Midnight Jam costs an additional $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

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