July 22, 2022
Made In Bristol: Bristol Will Delight All Your Senses
Bristol Will Delight All of Your Senses
Straddling the Tennessee and Virginia border, Bristol is made by the people who call this slice of the mountains home. Whether you spend your days fly fishing for trout on the South Holston River, toe-tapping along to the sounds of the Birthplace of Country Music, or joining in with the roar of the crowd at Bristol Motor Speedway, memories are made in Bristol.
Meet the creative makers of Bristol, the ones who turn ordinary sights, sounds, and smells into stunning works of art. Their medium? Whatever catches their fancy. Discover a world of smooth tunes, hand-crafted goods, brilliant floral arrangements, and more as these artisans show you what Made in Bristol really means.
Continuing the Legacy
Ask anyone walking down State Street, and they will tell you Bristol is synonymous with music. As the site of the famous 1927 Bristol Sessions, considered the “Big Bang” of modern country music, and home to the annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, you can’t walk far in town without running into a piece of music history. These makers are continuing that proud tradition with a modern twist.
At The Earnest Tube, engineers Clint Holley and Dave Polster pay homage to that local history through their specialization in direct-to-lacquer recordings. Over the years, they perfected this pre-World War II craft to bring that classic sound of vinyl back into your home. Using a minimal number of microphones and a mastering lathe to cut a master record, this recording experience is all about capturing the raw magic of the music, from the high notes to the flaws and everything in between.
In addition to leaving with a 12-inch disc recording, ready to play on a turntable, musicians will also receive a high-resolution digital file to spread their sounds near and far. Holley and Polster will even travel with their portable setup to record the energy that you can only get at a live event. The studio has welcomed a wide variety of artists over the years, including Amythyst Kiah, Charles Hill Jr., and the Steel City Jug Slammers. When you visit The Earnest Tube, you know you are in for an experience you will not find anywhere else.
More Makers
Since it was established in 1982, Classic Recording Studio has helped launch local, regional, and national stars out of Bristol through quality engineering. Today, the entire production commercial recording studio is owned by three area engineers who can take care of the fine-tuning of digital and analog music production, clarity of voiceovers, smooth live recording, and more.
Musicians and artists of all types will find the professionals at AudiOasis ready to manage whatever comes their way. Handling everything from recording sessions and music videos to graphic design and photography, you can be sure this team has your back as you follow your dreams.
The folks at Bert Driver Nursery cultivated a gathering spot for all at the Burlap Room, a place where plants, live music, craft beer, and hemp come together. You will find people chilling by the fire pits, wandering the gardens, and filling up at a food truck all while listening to the sweet tunes of local musicians.
True Craftsmanship
When it comes to the arts, you will find Bristol is more than just music. Talented artisans working across a range of mediums design and create works of art to hang on your wall and functional pieces to fill out your home.
Freddie Sexton’s natural inclination for making things by hand evolved into a full-time endeavor at Bristol Artisan Co. After years of building things for himself and friends, he opened his physical shop in 2020 to take on more significant projects. Working with wood and metal, you will find everything from furniture restorations and shelving to intricate signs that make a statement on their own. You can find Sexton’s work all over town, from Michael Waltrip Brewing Company to Paramount Bristol.
Are you a maker in your own right or looking to get started on your own DIY projects? Follow along step by step with Sexton’s builds, found on the YouTube Got it Made channel, to learn new techniques and source inspiration for your own projects. Whether a piece is made through woodworking, welding, or a CNC router, you can be sure hours go into every project as pieces are measured, joined, and polished to achieve maximum quality. See the elevation of craftsmanship at Bristol Artisan Co.
More Makers
A Work of Art celebrates the artists of Bristol, featuring a gallery filled with the work of photographers, painters, and sculptors of all kinds. Keep an eye out for a variety of classes and events downtown to interact with the artists and maybe even create something of your own.
Discover your inner creative streak at Kil’n Time Contemporary Ceramic Studio. These makers have established a space where you can roll up your sleeves and lay down some serious paint. Choose from a wide selection of projects, including mugs, pots, and plates, as you create something to put on display.
A Statement Piece
There are countless spots to view wildflowers and native flora around Bristol, from the trails of Cherokee National Forest to the shores of South Holston Lake. These makers take inspiration from those natural elements to bring beauty into your life. Flowers never looked so good in these artists’ hands.
Add a pop of color to your home or special event with carefully crafted designs by Fina Florals. The floral bar allows you to pursue a unique design that fits your style as you breathe in the subtle fragrance of fresh flowers, pick out a succulent to give a friend, or frame a treasured dried arrangement.
More Makers
Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or want to give flowers just because, Pen’s Floral has a bouquet to fit the mood. These designs, delivered fresh in quality vases and planters, are guaranteed to brighten someone’s day. You can even add a little something special, like a box of chocolates or stuffed animals, to show how much you care.
Handcrafted with attention to detail, these artisans are leading the way in traditional methods and innovative mediums. It won’t take you long to discover great things are Made in Bristol.
Are you inspired to discover more? To learn more about the Made In Bristol program and all the fun and exciting things to do in our city, CLICK HERE to request a FREE Discover Bristol Visitor Guide, and plan your trip to Bristol!
