Rocky Mount is the starting point for the The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.  Look for the signs around town.  Check out our list of local Wingdings below.  Wingdings are always family events - so you might see kids playin' the fiddle, grandpa's flat footin' and even an old hounddog.      

Sample the music you might have heard at a turn-of-the century party still played here in these hills.    Ever had breakfast of biscuits and gravy at dairy queen while listenin' to bluegrass?  Well we've got that too!  Take advantage of the list to hear some of the very best Bluegrass and Mountain music around!  So if you wanna jam, pick, toe tap, fiddle, or simply grin... 

A listener in bluegrass language is known as a "grinner".  (Probably because the music makes the listener want to grin!)  You can be a "grinner" or a "picker" or both.   Because bluegrass has its roots in gospel church singing, these jams provide a place to share the gospel music we all know and love.  Rocky Mount is the start of the Crooked Road Music Trail...the journey begins here.    TAP YER TOES IN BLUE RIDGE COUNTRY VIRGINIA!

USA Today Article Slideshow on The Crooked Road:   AUDIO/PHOTO SLIDESHOW: See the sights and sounds of the Crooked Road or Discover the Road where the music began - create your own bluegrass song at The Crooked Road Build-a-Lyric

We have some fantastic YOUTH Bluegrass musicians in Franklin County - here are a few you may have heard of:

1. The Wright Kids who made the top 5 in America's Got Talent - website here

2. The Clark Brothers who won The Next Great American Band - website here

3. Johnathan Dillon picking prodigy - multitalented kid! website here an article here

EVENTS THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!  2nd and 4th Fridays at The Depot.  Shows are 2 hours begins at 7pm $5 cover.  One block behind the B&B at The Depot.  Johnathan Dillon sometimes performs with musicians there.

Franklin County's Crooked Road Weekly Calendar

Monday - 77 Restaurant is in Ferrum on Timberland Rd off Rt 40 West. Jam Session from 7-9pm. No admission charge.

Tuesday -  J&J Hall is on Rt 116 one mile off Rt 122 at Burnt Chimney. The Blue Spruce Band performs 7-830pm. Band featuring 'sit-in musicians' from 9-10pm. Admission $5 includes meal. Mixed musical styles.

Wednesday - Green Acres Bluegrass, local jam in Rocky Mount featuring Johnathon Dillon - 504 Wrays Chapel Rd.  Route 40 East to Route 122, take first right to large cinder block building. Look for sign.  from 6-9pm, bring a chair. No Admission Charge.

Thursday – Dairy Queen on Rt 40 West in Rocky Mount.  Bands/Jam sessions perform from 9-10am. Other musicians welcome to participate. No Admission Charge. DQ has some great biscuits N gravy too! Sept to May.

Thursday - Waidsboro Ruritan Club just off Rt 40 West on Ruritan Rd. Jam sessions first and third Thursday’s from 7-930pm. No Admission Charge.

Thursday - Dairy Queen on Rt 40 West in Rocky Mount has 30 minute jam sessions from 6 - 9pm on the 2nd & 4th Thurs of the month.

Friday - J&J Hall is on Rt 116 one mile off Rt 122 at Burnt Chimney. The Blue Spruce Band performs 7-830pm. Band featuring 'sit-in musicians' from 9-10pm. Admission $5 includes meal.

Friday - Christian Heritage Academy is the site of “Heritage Hall Jamboree” the first Friday of each month from 7-9pm in the school’s auditorium. Donations accepted.

Friday - The Depot – Rocky Mount’s Community & Hospitality Center is located on Franklin St (one block from The Claiborne House B&B).  “Footlights of the Blue Ridge” is held the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of the month from 6-9pm.  Admission charge is $5-7.

Friday - Crossroads Ruritan Club is off Rt 40 West, about five miles west of Ferrum on Dry Hill Road and is held 709pm the 2^nd Friday of the month. No Admission Charge.

Saturday – Sheriff Shively Old Country Store is on Rt 40 West at Crossroads (5 miles past Ferrum College). Live bluegrass, tours of the mini-museum, arts and crafts plus tales every Sat through Nov 7.

Saturday – Redwood Ruritan Club is on Rt 40 East at Redwood. Live country and bluegrass music and dancing every Saturday night.

Sunday – Pigg River Community Center on Rt 220 South in Rocky Mount features Rev Rolando Twine and the Pigg River Baptist Association Singer at the 11am service the 5^th Sundays during the year.

Virginia Rocks is the current exhibit at The Blue Ridge Institute in Ferrum. 

Just 8 miles from the B&B along The Crooked Road.

Here is the write up on The Claiborne House in "A Guide to the Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail" by Joe Wilson

"The Claiborne House is a beautiful, historic Victorian home. The owners Tony & Shellie, are as enjoyable as their antique-filled bed-and-breakfast and the English gardens that surround it.  In addition to six comfortable rooms and free wireless internet access, The Claiborne House offers convenient parking and an ideal location for visiting surrounding sites."  pg 43   

MASTER MUSICIANS of THE CROOKED ROAD - Narrated by Joe Wilson. Short video documentary.

Visit Appalachia - National Geographic Driving Tour of The Crooked Road.

Crooked Road slideshow from the Richmond Times Dispatch

::Claiborne House COFFEE TALK - local events/blog ::

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