Museum

Enjoy a performance by the Belmont University Bluegrass Ensemble, directed by Michael McLain. This student group will perform an acoustic mix of bluegrass, country, and other styles covering material from Bill Monroe to the Beatles. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum 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. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Dan Rather hosts this documentary, tracing the thread of faith that was a constant influence on Johnny Cash's life and music. The film includes interviews with family members and friends, rare video footage, personal photographs, and performances of over 20 gospel songs. Cash's Sun Records audition with the song "I Was There When It Happened," his pilgrimages to Israel, his committed participation with his wife June Carter in Billy Graham's Crusades, and other key spiritual moments in his career help give a more complete picture of the factors that shaped the music of this Rock, Gospel and Country Music Hall of Fame Member. 85 minutes. Free.  Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.

Fiddle player Eamon McLoughlin is a member of Josh Turner's band and also has worked with Mary Gauthier, the Greencards, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, Kim Richey, Bruce Robison, and Kelly Willis. McLoughlin will be joined by Jesse Lee Jones, leader of the band Brazilbilly and guitar player Brian Christenson. This demonstration will trace the evolution of fiddle playing from traditional Irish tunes through American folk, country, and western swing styles. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

April 10, 2012
Keith Urban kicked off his annual Nashville benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum by saying, "Third time's a charm, right?" More than three hours later, after a stunning parade of performers-ranging from Hall of Fame members to contemporary stars to hot newcomers-a rowdy sold-out crowd enthusiastically agreed.

Join us for Cookin' Out Country, an all-inclusive lunch including cookout favorites, live entertainment, autograph signings, and your chance to win a gas grill, courtesy of Embers Grill & Fireplace Store! Gene Watson will entertain the lunch crowd with a performance and autograph his CD, Best of the Best, 25 Greatest Hits.

April 12, 2012
Merle Haggard, at age twelve, attended a Maddox Brothers & Rose concert with his older brother Lowell. During the show, Haggard fixated on Roy Nichols, a young guitarist who coaxed a distinct, piercing sound from his Fender Telecaster guitar, the likes of which Haggard previously had never heard.

Bang a drum, strum an autoharp, and pick a banjo! Our Musical Petting Zoo offers budding musicians a chance to try new and familiar instruments. Instructors will be on site to offer guidance. This program is offered in conjunction with YMCA of Middle Tennessee's Healthy Kids Day/H.E.A.L.s for Kids Festival, encouraging healthy choices for kids and families. Centennial Park, West End and 25th Avenue North. All ages. Free.

Dave Turnbull wrote "Arlington" (Trace Adkins); "The Boys of Fall" (Kenny Chesney); "Lucky Man" (Montgomery Gentry); "Anything Like Me" and "Old Alabama" (Brad Paisley); "The More I Drink" (Blake Shelton); and songs recorded by Mark Chesnutt, Craig Morgan, Jake Owen, and Darryl Worley. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Dave MacKenzie is a blues guitarist and songwriter who has recorded four critically acclaimed albums and performed at major blues festivals across the United States and Europe. He is a two-time recipient of the Music City Blues Society's Acoustic Blues Act of the Year award and has opened for Muddy Waters, B.B. King, John Lee Hooker, and others. His songs have been recorded by James Armstrong, Microwave Dave, Maria Muldaur, and Johnny Jones. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Join us for Cookin' Out Country, a lunch experience including cookout favorites, live entertainment, autograph signings, and your chance to win a gas grill, courtesy of Embers Grill & Fireplace Store! Don Schlitz will entertain the lunch crowd with a performance and autograph his product.

Larry Weiss wrote "Bend Me, Shape Me" (The American Breed); "Rhinestone Cowboy" (Glen Campbell); "Your Baby Doesn't Love You Anymore" (Carpenters); "(You Got Me Over) A Heartache Tonight" (Billy Dean and Dolly Parton); and songs recorded by Jeff Beck, Neil Diamond, Michael Jackson, Barry Manilow, Dusty Springfield, Three Dog Night, and Dionne Warwick. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Sisters Tori and Kati Huntley hail from Loretto, Tennessee. Tori, age sixteen, is the reigning Mississippi State Champion in both fiddle and mandolin for her age group. She is also the current West Tennessee Fiddle Champion. Kati, age thirteen, is the current Mississippi State Guitar Champion and the National Flat Top Guitar Champion for her age group. Tori and Kati are also talented dancers, and have won numerous prizes for buckdancing/clogging and squaredance. This program is offered as part of Nashville's "Week of the Young Child." All ages. 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.  Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Bang a drum, strum an autoharp, and pick a banjo! Our Musical Petting Zoo offers budding musicians a chance to try new and familiar instruments. Instructors will be on site to offer guidance. This program is offered in conjunction with National Association for the Education of Young Children's Week of the Young Child Kickoff at the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, 3777 Nolensville Pike  Nashville, TN 37211. All ages. Free Admission to the Zoo for children 12 and under from 2-5 p.m.

Join us for Cookin' Out Country, an all-inclusive lunch including cookout favorites, live entertainment, autograph signings, and your chance to win a gas grill, courtesy of Embers Grill & Fireplace Store! Carlene Carter will entertain the lunch crowd with a performance and autograph her product.

Music executive Jerry Bradley learned to engineer and produce records while assisting his father, legendary Music Row producer Owen Bradley. After working as a publisher with his family's Forest Hills Music, Jerry joined RCA Records as Chet Atkins's assistant and succeeded Atkins as head of RCA Nashville from 1973 to 1982. In addition to signing acts including Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, and Eddie Rabbitt, he played a major role in country's Outlaw phenomenon. From 1986 to 2002, Bradley helmed the Opryland Music Group of publishing companies, while continuing his role as Music Row's merriest prankster.  In this public interview, Bradley will share some of his best stories with Museum Senior Historian John Rumble.  Offered as part of the special exhibition Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, Made Possible Through the Generous Support of the Gretsch Company. Included with museum admission. Free to members.

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, Kenny Rogers, and Randy Travis. Roxie Dean wrote "When I Think About Angels" (Jamie O'Neal), "Why They Call It Falling" (Lee Ann Womack), and songs recorded by Sara Evans, Reba McEntire, Lorrie Morgan, Julie Roberts, Chely Wright, and others. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Bang a drum, strum an autoharp, and pick a banjo! Our Musical Petting Zoo offers budding musicians a chance to try new and familiar instruments. Instructors will be on site to offer guidance. All ages. No reservations required. Free.

Pat Kirtley is a guitarist who blends the musical heritage of Merle Travis and Chet Atkins with an eclectic and contemporary repertoire, in genres from bluegrass to Brazilian. Kirtley has won the title of U.S. National Fingerstyle Champion, and in 2006, he was inducted in the National Thumbpicking Hall of Fame. 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.