Here’s a round-up of news briefs from around Southwest and Southside. Send yours for possible inclusion to news@cardinalnews.org.
* * *
Son of Bristol Sessions producer to speak remotely
In celebration of the 95th anniversary of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will host a virtual Speaker Series with Ralph Peer II, the son of the legendary producer of those seminal recordings and entrepreneur Ralph S. Peer.
The online event will take place at 7 p.m. EDT, July 18 via Zoom and is free and open to the public. During the event Peer will discuss his late father’s career, technology, the legacy and impact of the 1927 Bristol Sessions, and the music industry. There is no in-person option for this month’s Speaker Series, and pre-registration is required.
Ralph Peer II grew up in a household long familiar with country music. He remembers attending Jimmie Rodgers Days in Meridian, Mississippi as a boy and, later in life, a number of visits to the Carter Fold and Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia.
Numerous recognitions for his service to songwriters and publishers have been awarded to him including those from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, National Music Publishers Association, Music Publishers Association (USA), and International Confederation of Music Publishers (Brussels).
In 2018 Peer was presented with France’s top cultural honor, “Officier dans Ordre des Arts et des Lettres” (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters”).
To register for the Speaker Series (Virtual): Ralph Peer II on the 1927 Bristol Sessions, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.
Peer is now the executive chair of peermusic, a global network of music publishing and neighboring rights companies operating from 38 offices located in 31 countries, which was founded by his father in 1928. peermusic owns or administers over one million copyrights. The company’s library includes hits by artists across a wide range of genres including The Carter Family, Rolling Stones, David Foster, Beyonce, Katy Perry, and Drake.
* * *
Giles County has new music venue
Giles County has a new music venue. The Spot On Snidow hasopened in Pembroke. The venue can seat up to 80 people, sitting and standing 125+.
Dean & Boone along with County Connection on will perform on Saturday, July 16th. Tickets are $5 at the door entry and doors open at 5pm. Music starts at 5:30pm. Food is available for purchase from Bluegrass BBQ and beer is available for purchase from the Rotary Club of Giles County.
* * *
Hard Rock announces Dealer School hiring event in Bristol
Hard Rock International has announced the date for a Dealer School Hiring Event for its temporary casino in Bristol. This Dealer School is open to new dealers, however, there are still open positions available for dealers with prior experience. The Dealer School will start on July 25 and will run for four weeks. Additional information on the hiring event is included below:
WHAT: Dealer School Hiring Event
WHEN: Monday, July 18
4pm – 8pm
WHERE: Bristol Mall – Site of the Casino
500 Gate City Highway
Bristol, VA 24201
Follow the signage around to the entry to the event.
To register for this hiring event, please visit https://hrhcbristol-hardrock.icims.com/jobs/23522/dealer-training—table-games/job?hub=13&mobile=false&width=1903&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-300&jun1offset=-240.
* * *
New Roanoke County roundabount to open Friday
The new roundabout at the intersection of Route 311 and Route 419 in Roanoke County at Hanging Rock is expected to open to traffic on the afternoon of Friday, July 15. Prior to the detour being removed, flaggers will control traffic at the intersection to install pavement markings, according to a release from the Virginia Department of Transportation.
* * *

Friendship holds first in-person graduation since COVID
Friendship Retirement Community in Roanoke has held the first in-person graduation class of Student Nursing Assistants (SNA) since COVID.
Friendship had 12 students graduate from an in-house four-week class starting on May 23rd. After graduation, each student was placed at either Friendship Health and Rehabilitation Center North (FHRC-N), Friendship Health and Rehabilitation Center South (FHRC-S), or Salem Terrace. After successful completion of the SNA class, Friendship pays for State Board Testing to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).