Bristol, Tennessee

Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. Its population was 27,147 at the 2020 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. The boundary between the two cities is also the state line, which runs along State Street in their common downtown district. Bristol is a principal city of the Kingsport−Bristol−Bristol, TN-VA metropolitan statistical area, which is a component of the Johnson City−Kingsport−Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area − commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region. Bristol is probably best known for being the site of some of the first commercial recordings of country music. The U.S. Congress declared Bristol as the "Birthplace of Country Music" in 1998, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum is located in Bristol. It also is the birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford. Bristol is also the site of Bristol Motor Speedway, a NASCAR racetrack that is one of the best-known in the country. History Before 1852, Bristol was owned by Reverend James King. His son-in-law, Mr. Joseph R. Anderson, bought 100 acres of the plantation, and named it Bristol after Bristol, Connecticut. The G.W. Blackley House, one of the oldest houses in Bristol, was constructed in 1869. Climate Media Television: WCYB-TV (NBC Channel 5.1) WCYB-DT2 (CW Channel 5.2) WEMT-TV (FOX Channel 39.1) Note-WEMT is licensed to Greeneville, Tennessee, but co-located with sister station WCYB-TV. Notable people Clarence Ashley, old-time musician George Lafayette Carter, entrepreneur John I. Cox, Governor of Tennessee (1905−1907) Cara Cunningham, internet celebrity/blogger Tennessee Ernie Ford, singer, actor, entertainer Justin Grimm, professional baseball player for the Oakland Athletics Doyle Lawson, Grammy-nominated bluegrass musician and front man of Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Dave Loggins, songwriter, recording artist David Massengill, folk singer/songwriter Jayma Mays, actress Ricky Morton, professional wrestler and WWE Hall of Famer. One half of tag team Rock N Roll Express Chase Owens, professional wrestler Davyd Whaley, American painter References