Museum

Richard Starkey is a flatpick guitar clinician for the C.F. Martin Guitar Company who plays in the style of Doc Watson and Clarence White. Starkey has recorded or performed with Vassar Clements, Skip Gorman, Bill Monroe, New Grass Revival, Roland White, and others. Included with museum admission. Free to members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Jerry Vandiver wrote "Always in the Band" (Lonestar); "Athens Grease" (Phil Vassar); "For a Little While" (Tim McGraw); and "It Doesn't Get Any Countrier Than This" (Tim McGraw). AJ Masters wrote "Change My Mind" (John Berry), "Love Ain't Like That"(Faith Hill), and songs recorded by Diamond Rio, the Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, and Gene Watson. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

HCA/TriStar and Nashville Opera On Tour present Sid the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing. Meet Sid, a dancing circus snake, who desperately wants to sing. In search of his voice, Sid and his friends travel to Rome, London, and New York to learn different singing styles. It isn't until Sid returns home that he discovers his own unique voice. Presented in English, this production features a full set, costumes, and audience interaction. No reservations required. 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.

Pam Gadd is the former lead vocalist and banjoist for Grammy-nominated country band Wild Rose. She also has worked closely with Patty Loveless, Porter Wagoner, and others. Gadd's demonstration outlines the history of the banjo, from its African beginnings to becoming one of America's most treasured instruments. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Billy Montana wrote "Bring on the Rain" (Jo Dee Messina); "Gloryland" (BlackHawk); "More Than a Memory" (Garth Brooks); "Not Every Man Lives" (Jason Aldean); "Seven Days" (Kenny Chesney); "Stuck" (Ash Bowers); "Suds in the Bucket" (Sara Evans); and songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Collin Raye, Kenny Rogers, Blake Shelton, Lee Ann Womack, and others. Mercury Nashville recording artist and songwriter Randy Montana is Billy Montana's son. He wrote his singles "1,000 Faces," "Ain't Much Left of Lovin' You," and other songs featured on his 2011 debut album Randy Montana. As a songwriter, he is currently on the charts with James Wesley's "Didn't I." Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Jack Pearson is a versatile guitarist who can demonstrate a variety of techniques. A personal  friend of Chet Atkins, Pearson is a gifted fingerstyle player. He performed regularly with the Allman Brothers Band throughout the 1990s. His session and touring credits also include work with Rodney Atkins, Jimmy Buffett, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Delbert McClinton, Ronnie Milsap, Lee Roy Parnell, Lee Ann Womack, and others. Presented in support of the exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, made possible by the Gretsch Company. Additional support provided by GAC. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

February 25, 2012
Pressure apparently inspires songwriter Sonny Curtis. The seventy-four-year-old native of Meadow, Texas, created two of his best-loved songs-the rocking "I Fought the Law" and the melodic "Love Is All Around" (the classic theme song for the hit television series The Mary Tyler Moore Show)-in a flash because of looming deadlines.

Georgia Middleman wrote "Dearly Beloved" (Faith Hill); "Don't Ruin It for the Rest of Us" (Mark Chesnutt); "Do What You Do" (Martina McBride); and "I'm In" (Keith Urban). Dave Berg wrote "Don't Make Me" (Blake Shelton); "If You're Going Through Hell" (Rodney Atkins); "Innocence" (Sarah Buxton); "Moments" (Emerson Drive); "Somebody" (Reba McEntire); "Stupid Boy" (Keith Urban); and "These Are My People" (Rodney Atkins). Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

The Dust Busters are a string band who preserve old-time songs, ballads, fiddle tunes, and jug band blues. The group draws influence and inspiration from the Scots-Irish and African music found in early Appalachian music and the South, from colonial times through World War II. Band members have performed with folk music legends John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers and Peter Stampfel of the Holy Modal Rounders. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.