About Paramount Bristol
Paramount Bristol is a multi-use performing arts center in the heart of downtown Bristol presenting music, dance, comedy, film, theater and family entertainment. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its lavish interior and iconic marquee are characteristic of Art Deco movie palaces built in the 1930s. The Paramount Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates the theater.
Our Mission
For more than 90 years, Paramount Bristol has been a local landmark and cultural anchor of the twin cities of Bristol TN/VA. Paramount Bristol’s richly embellished interior and iconic marquee are characteristic of Art Deco movie palaces built in the 1930s. In 1989, a group of concerned citizens who understood The Paramount’s unique value in the community, raised the funds to bring it back to life. Today Paramount Bristol attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, fulfilling the founders’ vision of the theater as a community-gathering place and “a center for expansion and enrichment of every art form.” The Paramount Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, owns and operates the theater, continuing its stewardship of enriching the community by preserving this precious heritage.
OUR MISSION: To preserve and enhance our historic landmark theater as a gathering place for entertainment, inspiration and education through the power of live performance and film.
Our History
Bristol in the early 20th century was a bustling industrial and commercial center with a flourishing arts scene, with the Paramount on State Street right in the center of it all. Opening day for the theater was February 20, 1931 at 8:00 pm with the showing of “It Pays to Advertise,” a romantic comedy starring Carole Lombard and Norman Foster. The prices were set at 50 cents for a night showing, 35 cents for a matinee, and 10 cents for children. The opening night was a tremendous success, and the enormous crowd blocked traffic for five blocks.
The Paramount’s unique architecture along with its state-of-the-art “refrigerated” air system drew enthusiasts from all over to marvel at the new theater and escape from the heat. In its heyday, The Paramount featured live performances of vaudeville shows, the Big Band sounds of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Charlie Spivak, Harry James, and Grand Ole Opry stars Tex Ritter, Ken Maynard, Johnny Mack Brown, Ernest Tubb and Cowboy Copas, but made its mark presenting Hollywood blockbusters. It rapidly became the hub of entertainment for the region. More than 1,200 boys and girls, members of The Popeye Club, came to The Paramount for Saturday morning cartoons and talent shows.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, times and tastes changed and downtown Bristol fell into decline. The Paramount’s owners tried to encourage business by offering admittance to the theatre in exchange for ten coke bottle tops. Unfortunately, attendance was not high enough to keep The Paramount in business.
The last movie, “Beyond the Poseidon Adventure” was shown in 1979 and The Paramount went dark and fell into disrepair. Thanks to the determination of several Bristolians with vision, The Paramount was saved. When the building’s fifty-year lease expired in 1981, the property reverted to the Daniel family, who then donated it to the local community theater, Theatre Bristol. Understanding the need for a downtown cultural arts center and a multi-million dollar investment, Theatre Bristol’s leadership recognized the importance of creating a larger organization to operate it. A year later, in 1982, Theatre Bristol deeded the property to a newly formed non-profit, The Paramount Foundation.
The original seating capacity of the theater was 1,200, but in order to build a performing stage house, the entire proscenium of the stage was brought forward which left the theatre with 750 seats. The chandeliers are the original fixtures, but the marquee is an exact replica of the original, holding 1,967 bulbs. Fully restored and ready for all manner of live performance, The Paramount reopened in 1991 with a gala event featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford, a native son of Bristol.
Paramount Bristol’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ was originally installed in the Charlottesville, VA Paramount Theatre. It eventually became the property of the Piedmont Theatre Organ Society, a branch of the American Theatre Organ Society, which installed the organ in Bristol’s Paramount for a $1 a year lease. On April 18, 1993, renowned organist, Mr. Lee Erwin, introduced it to the public with a performance of “Phantom of the Opera”. It is a prized feature of Paramount Bristol! A precious heritage to longtime residents, Paramount Bristol still shows movies, and the venue has once again become a top destination for live entertainment. In recent years, Paramount Bristol has presented major touring artists in country, Americana, roots, jazz, folk, rock, chamber music, world music, bluegrass and gospel, as well as hosting many of the country’s best-known comedians.
The Paramount Foundation spent the next 10 years conducting feasibility plans and evaluations for the possible restoration of the theatre. In 1985, the theater was recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. A challenge grant was obtained from the State of Tennessee for $1 million, which required matching local funds. More than 1,000 contributors rose to the State’s challenge and restoration work was begun. Restoration architect, Bill Price, worked with contractor Associated Construction Services, Inc. from December of 1989 until April of 1991 to restore Paramount Bristol to its original glory. The opulence of the original art deco and Italianate interior was painstakingly preserved, the facility was upgraded to present-day standards, and four stories of dressing, rehearsal and storage space were added. A new Mighty Wurlitzer organ was secured.
A vibrant center for the arts in the Mountain Empire, Paramount Bristol serves as a stage for world renowned artists as well as for local arts and civic organizations. Our talented community members relish the chance to perform on its stage and they shine in musical productions presented by local arts partners Theatre Bristol (Beauty & the Beast, Les Misérables, The Music Man, ANNIE), Bristol Ballet (The Nutcracker), Symphony of the Mountains, Bristol Music Club, Barter Youth Academy, The Paramount Chamber Players, and Senior Show Choir. Paramount Bristol also provides a performance home for the Birthplace of Country Music’s annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion and Believe in Bristol’s PUSH! Film Festival.
Our Board of Directors
OFFICERS
David Grace – President
Matthew Riggins – Vice President
Ed Balaban – Outgoing President
Tracie Jones – Treasurer
Elise Taylor – Secretary
DIRECTORS
Matt Bolas
Shirley Carrier
Paul Conco
Kelly Graham
Sam Hall
Jeff Jones
Jon Luttrell
Logan McCabe
Mary Beth Rainero
Blake Ray
Rob Simis
Barbara Smith
Ty Warren
EMERITUS
EX-OFFICIO