The lesson explores Appalachian music within Virginia, focusing on simulating the acoustical recording process to convey technical challenges and artistic considerations. Modeled after the Bristol Sessions of 1927, conducted by Ralph Peer for the Victor Talking Machine Company, the session primarily used acoustical recording technology prevalent at the time. Performers sang or played instruments into large recording horns, transmitting sound vibrations to a cutting stylus, which etched onto a master disc. Despite limitations in fidelity and dynamic range, the Bristol Sessions captured the essence of early country, blues, and Appalachian music, significantly influencing American popular music's trajectory.

In this lesson, students will listen to early music used in Appalachia community gatherings and a part of the Bristol Recordings. Students will play various songs, describe the music, and define why the music was used or performed in community gatherings or small groups. Students will also recognize local community events and how music is used to bring people together.

This lesson will cover topics related to the musical traditions of Appalachia, including genres like old-time, bluegrass, and ballad singing. The lesson will emphasize the evolution of recording technology from acoustical to electrical methods in the late 19th to early 20th centuries and the profound impact of recording technology on the preservation and dissemination of Appalachian music, shaping cultural landscapes worldwide.

Students will explore Virginia’s musical heritage through discovery of the venues and cultural centers promoting traditional Appalachian, old-time, and Bluegrass music. After researching and exploring the resources along the Virginia’s Crooked Road, students will create a multi-media presentation describing one or more of the venues along the 333-mile Heritage Music trail including people that visited the area, musical styles, groups that performed, and the function of music in the cultural area. Students will create QR codes applied to an interactive map of The Crooked Road describing the over 50 venues that promote the milestones of Appalachian, old time, bluegrass, and country music. 

Students will gain an understanding of the vital role women have played in shaping the music of Appalachian Virginia. Students will be introduced to the contributions of women in early Appalachian music and their roles as musicians, composers, and cultural icons. They will examine the Carter family's influence on Appalachian music and explore and investigate the roles and contributions of women in bluegrass and old-time music and their influence on the preservation and transmission of traditional songs.