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Downtown traffic and road closures are expected Thursday, June 4 through Sunday, June 7, due to CMA Fest. Please plan your visit accordingly.

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Press Photos

Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970

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Downloadable Artifact Photos

  • Bobby Hebb “Sunny” sheet music cover

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    Bobby Hebb joined Roy Acuff’s Grand Ole Opry troupe at age twelve, and later wrote and recorded the million seller “Sunny,” which earned him a spot on the Beatles’ 1966 tour.

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  • Joe Simon “The Chokin’ Kind” sheet music cover

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    “The Chokin’ Kind,” original sheet music, with Joe Simon on cover.

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  • Sam Cooke Nashville ticket

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    Rhythm & blues great Sam Cooke was in his prime when this ticket for a Nashville show was printed.

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  • Club Del Morocco (Nashville, 1944)

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    Photograph by George Anderson. Courtesy of Theodore Acklen Jr.

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  • Frank Howard & the Commanders

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    (Left to right) Charlie Fite, Frank Howard, and Herschel Carter at Club Stealaway, c. 1964. Courtesy of Frank Howard

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  • Ray Charles and band at Maceo’s (Nashville, c. 1959)

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    (Left to right) Edgar Willis, Ray Charles, Milt Turner (obscured), David “Fathead” Newman, Hank Crawford (looking back), Marcus Belgrave and the Raelettes (Margie Hendrix, Pat Lyles, Gwendolyn Berry and Darlene McCrae).

    Courtesy of Larry Taylor

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  • Marion James and band (Hopewell, Tennessee, c. 1971)

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    (Left to right) John Helms, James Stuart, Marion James, (unidentified) and Billy Cox.

    Courtesy of Marion James

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  • Clifford Curry at Nashville’s Centennial Park (c. 1968)

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    Clifford Curry is backed by (left to right) Wade Conklin, Buzz Cason and guitarist Mac Gayden, co-writer of Curry’s beach music favorite “She Shot a Hole in My Soul.”

    Courtesy of Clifford Curry

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  • Morgan Babb

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    Lead voice in the gospel group the Radio Four and program director at WSOK/WVOL, disc jockey Morgan Babb broadcasts under his R&B moniker “Happy Jack” from Ernie’s Record Mart, located in downtown Nashville, c. 1954. Courtesy of Dr. Morgan Babb

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  • Jimmy Sweeney

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    Jimmy Sweeney stands center among several of Music City’s recording session elite, c. 1958. (Left to right) guitarist Hank Garland, bassist Floyd “Lightnin’” Chance, Jimmy Sweeney, songwriter Boudleaux Bryant and pianist Floyd Cramer.

    Photograph by Elmer Williams

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  • Hendrix amp

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    While learning their trade in Nashville, guitarist Jimi Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox practiced at home through this Gibson amplifier. Cox rigged the amp so they could play together, and during these practice sessions they originated songs they later recorded, such as “Freedom” and “Dolly Dagger.”

    Courtesy of Billy Cox

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  • Hatch Show Print poster

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    Hatch Show Print poster announcing Earl Gaines and Jimmy Beck at the New Era Club, c. 1959.

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  • Jimmy Church, mid 1960s

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    Courtesy of Jimmy Church

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  • Peggy Gaines

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    Courtesy of Peggy Gaines Walker

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