NASHVILLE, Tenn., January 31, 2012 - The Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum set an all-time attendance record in 2011, museum officials announced today.  The 2011 attendance total of 507,510 people is the largest in the institution's 44-year history.

     "We would like to thank our local, national and international visitors for such strong support," said Museum Director Kyle Young.  "Our attendance revenue last year increased nearly 30% over 2010, and our Museum Store and events revenues were up by 18% and 23%, respectively, over the prior year, as well.  In today's challenging economic climate, we don't take this for granted.

     "We attribute the strong year to multiple factors," Young continued.  "It was the final year of our major exhibition Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Presented by SunTrust, the most popular and acclaimed exhibit in our history.  And it was a very good year for Nashville tourism in general.  There's really a fantastic synergy happening with the city right now.  Music City is centrally located, a manageable drive from many parts of the U.S., and a great value.  And, it's an exciting city, alive with music and boasting an array of cultural offerings found nowhere else.  We're proud to be one of those 'can't-miss' Nashville experiences."

     Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum's mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture.  With the same educational mission, the foundation also operates CMF Records, the museum's Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print^®.

     More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.

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