The Crooked Road!

I recently discovered this extraordinary 330 mile car ride that explores the culture, history and especially music of the southwest Virginia mountains!  If you are a fan of old-time music-bluegrass, traditional, country – this may well be something you will want to explore.  I know we are going to!  The Crooked Road starts in Rocky Mt, Virginia  and ends at Breaks Interstate Park at the Virginia/Kentucky border and  connects Appalachian music venues – and more. Here are just a few of the locations:

Floyd Country Store – Located in Floyd, Virginia, this is a great stop.  I was here a few years back and loved it!  In addition to music, it also features dancers-cloggers and flatfooters, carrying on the local traditions.  Wonderful concerts, a cafe and soda fountain and a handmade music school. Step back in history and enjoy!

Blue Ridge Music Center – Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Galax, there is a Visitor Center and Museum open May through October.  Summer and Fall concert series as well as Midday Music.  They also offer  great hiking trails-make a stop here and stretch your legs!

Blue Ridge Institute and Museum – Yep, it’s a college!  It provides galleries that explore folklife in general-music, crafts, food and more.  In addition to providing a weekly jam, they also have a folklife Festival every October.

Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace – Located near the Tennessee border, this large venue is a marketplace for local artisans.  This is a fabulous place to purchase traditional crafts including pottery and glasswork.  Yep, there is music too!

Old Fiddlers Convention – Every August, the Galax Moose Lodge presents the oldest and largest fiddlers’ convention in the world.  It just ended this year but  will be back on August ‘26!

This is a classic road trip, y’all and you can customize it to your tastes.  It also supports traditional music and musicians.