Border Bash

Celebrating 23 years in Historic Downtown, Border Bash—Bristol’s premier summer concert series—is back for another amazing season! Hosted by Believe in Bristol and the Cities of Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee, Border Bash is about fun, family, great music, and creating memories to last a lifetime.

“Border Bash is a tradition that showcases everything that makes Downtown Bristol special, and that includes great live music,” said Maggie Elliott, Executive Director of Believe in Bristol.” Bristol’s downtown is definitely a hub for a wide variety of food, unique shopping, community events, and an all-around great place to come together with friends and family. This year Border Bash will introduce audiences to a whole new roster of talented, emerging acts as well as a few familiar favorites.”

AUGUST 11TH — DOWNTOWN CENTER
6:30pm — Hawkins French
7:30pm — Ben Sollee & Dave Eggar

Ben Sollee & Dave Eggar
Ben Sollee’s music is often characterized by his soulful voice and his ability to infuse elements of folk, bluegrass, and pop into his compositions. He is renowned for his virtuosic cello playing, which adds a distinct and captivating layer to his songs. Sollee’s lyrics often tackle social and environmental issues, reflecting his deep commitment to activism and using music as a platform for change.

Dave Eggar is an exceptional cellist and pianist who has established himself as a versatile musician in both classical and contemporary music. His performances seamlessly traverse various genres, including classical, jazz, rock, and world music. Eggar has collaborated with numerous renowned artists and has made significant contributions to film soundtracks, adding his distinctive sound and musicality to the compositions.

Together, Sollee and Eggar have collaborated on various projects, showcasing their mutual passion for creating innovative and boundary-pushing music. Their performances often combine Sollee’s rich vocals and cello playing with Eggar’s dynamic and expressive cello and piano performances. The result is a captivating fusion of sounds that transcends traditional genres and captivates audiences with its depth and artistry. Whether performing as a duo or as part of larger ensembles, Ben Sollee and Dave Eggar continue to captivate and inspire music lovers with their exceptional talent and unique musical vision.

Hawkins French
Hawkins French is a singer-song writer as well as the front man for his band. He exploded onto the live music scene in Connecticut in the spring of 2019 and quickly established a large fan base due, in part, to his infectious energy on stage, a warm demeanor, and a powerful and soulful voice. He has played some of the most prominent venues in the state including The Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Casino, FTC in Fairfield, and the Toyota Oakdale Theater in Wallingford. Hawkins has recently moved to Nashville, Tennessee to write, record, and perform in “Music City.” However, he plans on returning regularly to Connecticut for live performances with his band. He is in the process of releasing singles on Spotify from his debut album entitled “Wounds Unseen” which is due for release in the summer of 2023. The songs on the album are diverse in tempo and style, yet all are characterized by a passionate, raw, and honest vocal performance. All songs on the album are written by Hawkins French and several songs feature performances by the world-renowned, virtuoso cellist, Dave Eggar. Hawkins’ songs have been recorded and produced by either Mikhail Pivovarov or Vic Steffens.

Border Bash is hosted by Believe in Bristol and would not be possible without our community sponsors. Our sponsors in 2023 include City of Bristol, Tennessee, City of Bristol, Virginia, Anne and Ben Cowan, ETSU, Robin and Margaret Feierabend, John and Brenda Fincher, Holston Medical Group, Kil’n Time Contemporary Ceramic Studio c/o Terri Gregory, Northeast State Community College, The Sessions Hotel, Tom and Barbara Smith, Audrey Zaidi, 99.3 The X

Hospitality Sponsors: The Bristol Hotel, Delta Blues, Machiavelli’s, Quaker Steak & Lube, Southern Craft, Stateline Bar & Grille