Most music that is uniquely American has its roots in Africa. Even as early as the 19th century, minstrel music and Ragtime both drew from and were heavily influenced by the African-American community. In later years, Blues was born in the hearts of poor, black southerners. At the same time, Jazz sprung forth from black urbanites. Blues and Jazz then paved the way for Rock ‘n’ Roll, which in turn opened the floodgates for many of the modern music styles we have today.
These connections did not escape the keen eyes, or ears, of one Kris Hodges. Kris believes music is the soundtrack of experience. Indeed, for many of us, there is a constant playlist of songs that has followed us through our lives; sharing our victories, echoing our own thoughts, and empathizing with our sad times. Because so many of life’s events are common and shared, music also creates a cohesion that binds us.
With the new millennium, however, Kris felt cultural gaps were becoming more and more prevalent in our society. In the face of mounting frictions, Kris decided to create an event that was cohesively diverse, that would exemplify how to coexist in a community of diversity. An event that would celebrate two very different cultures by showing them what they had in common.

In 2001, Kris went to Africa expressly to find African musicians. He wanted to bring them home to Floyd where they would join Floyd-based musicians in the very first FloydFest, so as to demonstrate how similar we are as people and bridge the cultural gap between west Africa and Appalachia.

The first edition of this now-iconic music festival featured the likes of Doc Watson, The Neville Brothers, Sam Bush, John Scofield, Rhonda Vincent, and the African Showboyz. The event attracted 2600 people and planted a seed that has grown into a phenomenon that attracts thousands, every year, from all over the world. With multiple stages featuring rock, bluegrass, reggae, folk, Yiddish, Cajun, or Zydeco, African, Appalachian, and world music performers, FloydFest is mecca for people who appreciate music in all its forms.

FloydFest has not only hosted big names like Blues Traveler, Alison Krauss, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Gregg Allman, Levon Helm, and The Neville Brothers…they also select up-and-coming bands for an on-site competition. FloydFest is proud that many of its winners over the years have gone on to make it big. Their line-ups and rosters have grown from just a handful in 2002, to over ninety acts in 2018. 2018 also hosted over 14,000 patrons on its expansive location at 894 Rock Castle Gorge Road in Floyd.

To keep the festival fresh each year, says Kris, a new theme and focus is introduced. They create everything around that theme so people who come again and again can still be surprised and delighted. Those themes have included “Out of This World Music”, “Midsummer’s Dream”, “Rock of Ages”, and “Fire on the Mountain”. They have continued this annual reinvention to the present day, with 2017’s theme, “Freedom”, and 2018’s theme, “Wild”.
“If you’re not changing,” says Kris, “you’re not growing”. Six years ago, Sam Calhoun joined the FloydFest team as Chief Operating Officer. Together with Kris and the rest of the team, Sam has brought sustainability and longevity to the event by understanding the soul at its core. Sam has also ushered in the next generation of FloydFest. He goes above and beyond to make sure every patron and person onsite feels cared about. Kris believes if they hadn’t adopted that philosophy, they might not be where they are today. Creating this event is an annual, full-time labor of love for the whole team. It takes an entire year to give birth to each and every five-day baby. In a flash of music, lights, camping tents, laughter, and love, however, the moment is gone and it’s time to begin work for the next. They do it all, however, each and every year, for the patrons who have come to love it. In a world obsessed with digital life, FloydFest is a celebration of community.

A once in a life time experience, every year. In addition to all the wonderful things that happen each year onsite, Kris, Sam, and the whole team are proud of the economic development the festival has brought to Southwest Virginia. Between a need for accommodations, food, and supplies, as well as a desire for souvenir hunting, businesses across the region see a boost in their bottom line every July. The local economy, however, isn’t the only legacy.

FloydFest has influenced countless other events and music festivals with their exemplary methods. They have also significantly influenced the music industry by showing how independent artists can still be successful: by embracing and celebrating acts that create their own art, instead of conforming to the top-forty format.

Looking ahead, the folks at FloydFest want to maintain what they have built. They want an event that is diverse and that has longevity. They want it to be a family reunion for many generations to come. To make that happen, they will continue offering new and exciting experiences. Kris believes that the spirit of diversity which inspired the festival remains at its heart. The thought that we can all coexist peaceably, with appreciation and enlightenment, is just as strong today as it was nineteen years ago. Spanning cultures and lifestyles, FloydFest will continue to embrace this ideal; encouraging others to do the same.
Kris and Sam would like to thank the town and county of Floyd, as well as the greater community, for the love and support they have received over the years. “You’ve been great neighbors, and we couldn’t have done it all without your support.” The theme for FloydFest 2019 will be “Voyage Home”.

For more information, directions, or to buy tickets, visit online at www.floydfest.com. You can also check them out on Facebook at FloydFestVA. Get your tickets quickly before they sell out!