Museum

Author Deborah Evans Price will discuss her new book, The CMA Awards Vault, and the annual CMA Awards show with video director and CMA Awards Executive Producer Robert Deaton. The book documents the forty-three-year history of "country music's biggest night," from its beginnings as a one-hour radio broadcast to the elaborate three-hour television special it has become. Evans Price takes readers behind the scenes, sharing memorable moments and backstage stories. In addition to his work on the CMA Awards, Deaton and partner George Flanigen have created dozens of country music videos, including "Temporary Home" (Carrie Underwood) and "The Truth" (Jason Aldean). Following the program, Evans Price will sign her new book in the Museum Store. Click here for autograph signing guidelines.  Included with museum admission.  Free to museum members.

November 6, 2010
When Hilary Williams, daughter of Hank Williams Jr. and granddaughter of Hank Williams, recalled the accident that almost took her life in March 2006, the details came spilling out in a rush.

Josh Kear wrote "Before He Cheats" (Carrie Underwood); "Forever Seventeen" (Tim McGraw); "I Need You Now" (Lady Antebellum); "It Takes a Man" (Chris Young); "Set This Circus Down" (Tim McGraw); "That's How They Do It In Dixie" (Hank Williams Jr.); and songs recorded by Gary Allan, Garth Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, and others. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made Possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

The documentary Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison explores Johnny Cash's landmark 1968 performance that resulted in one of the greatest live albums ever. Known for his excellent biographies of Cash and Eddy Arnold, scriptwriter Michael Streissguth co-produced the film with director Bestor Cram. Using photos, archival footage, and exclusive interviews, he charts Cash's path toward a concert that propelled him to superstardom and kept him at the center of political and social controversy. Streissguth will offer comments and answer questions. 96 minutes. Presented in conjunction with LeMoyne College. Free.  Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.

Roy Harper is a singer and guitarist who performs traditional country music, preserving the work of Uncle Dave Macon, Sam and Kirk McGee, Riley Puckett, Jimmie Rodgers, and Arthur Smith. In 2003, Harper received a prestigious Tennessee Folklife Heritage Award. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Chris Young will be signing his new CD The Man I Want to Be. Young's first single "Drinkin' Me Lonely," has been an exciting song for crowds and audiences, ringing true to the popular themes of country songs. Click here for autograph signing guidelines. Live From the Museum Store, Presented by CMT.

Montgomery Gentry will be signing their new CD Back When I Knew it All. They have had over 20 charted singles and three songs hit the top of singles charts. Click here to view autograph signing guidelines. Live From the Museum Store, Presented by CMT.

Jerrod Niemann will be signing his new CD Judge Jerrod & the Hung Jury. He is influenced by artists such as Lefty Frizzell, Conway Twitty, and Keith Whitley. Click here for autograph signing guidelines. Live From the Museum Store, Presented by CMT. 

Craig Morgan will be signing his new CD That's Why, his fifth album which includes the single "Love Remembers." Click here for autograph signing guidelines. Live From the Museum Store, Presented by CMT.

Josh Thompson is giving an acoustic performance, followed by an autograph session where he will be signing his new CD Way Out Here. The CD includes songs such as "Way out Here," "Name in This Town," & "I've Always Been Me." Click here for autograph signing guidelines. Live From the Museum Store, Presented by CMT.

Verlon Thompson is a songwriter, traveling troubadour, and the longtime, trusted sidekick of Guy Clark. Thompson's songwriting credits include "Bad Angel" (Dierks Bentley with Miranda Lambert and Jamey Johnson); "Boats to Build" (Guy Clark); "The Ballad of Stringbean and Estelle" (Sam Bush); "Lucky Dog" (Keith Whitley); "Men Will Be Boys" (Guy Clark, Keith Whitley); "Ol' Joe Clark" (Sam Bush); "Wild Horses" (Suzy Bogguss); and others. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made Possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

Pete Finney is a pedal steel guitar player who has worked with Trace Adkins, Bobby Bare, the Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, Josh Rouse, and Pam Tillis. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation

November 16, 2010
In her long and distinguished career in the entertainment business, Bonnie Garner made sure the spotlight was on the artists, not on her. Turning the tables, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored the former record executive and artist manager during the fourth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, on November 16, 2010.

Becky Hobbs, wrote "Angels Among Us" (Alabama); "I Want to Know You Before We Make Love" (Conway Twitty); and songs recorded John Anderson, Glen Campbell, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, and Loretta Lynn. Duane Sciacqua will sit in on guitar. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made Possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

Explore the stage wear of the Williams family and learn the basics of costume design in this hands-on workshop. Participants examine the clothing on display in our featured exhibit before designing their own costume on paper using fabric swatches, glitter, sequins, ribbons, and fringe. Led by Katy K, nationally recognized western-wear designer and owner of the Nashville boutique Katy K's Ranch Dressing. Offered in support of the exhibit Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Presented by SunTrust. Ages 5 to 15. Space is limited. No Reservations. Free. Families are encouraged to tour the museum at a discounted rate following the program. Visit the information desk or ticket window for more information.  

Andy May is a guitar and mandolin player as well as a singer, songwriter, and music educator. May is a past winner of the guitar grand championship at the Old Time Fiddler's Convention (Union Grove, North Carolina) and he has appeared with Brownie McGee and Sonny Terry, Merle Haggard, Nickel Creek, Mike Seeger, Pete Seeger, and others. Kenny Malone is a percussionist who has performed or recorded with Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Alison Krauss, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and others. Included with museum admission. Free to members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Wil Nance wrote "Cool to Be a Fool" (Joe Nichols); "Hard to Say Hello" (Brad Paisley); "Round about Way" (George Strait); "She's Everything" (Brad Paisley); and songs recorded by Diamond Rio, Tracy Lawrence, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan, Gene Watson, and others. Byron Hill wrote "Born Country" (Alabama); "Fool Hearted Memory" (George Strait); "Nothing on but the Radio" (Gary Allan); "Size Matters" (Joe Nichols); and songs recorded by Ray Charles, George Jones, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, and others. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made Possible by Ford Motor Company Fund.

Steve Bryant leads a demonstration of electric bass in the studio and beyond. Bryant has toured or recorded with Jerry Reed, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taylor Swift, Gretchen Wilson, Trisha Yearwood, and others. Jon Conley will sit in on guitar. Conley is a member of Calico Trail, whose session and touring experience includes work with Johnny Cash, Terri Clark, LeAnn Rimes, Marty Stuart, Wynonna, and others. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.