String City

A unique way to introduce students to their city, String City brings history, visual arts, and music together on a single stage. Over thirty country music artists appear in puppet form, and every one of them had a hand in helping Nashville become Music City.

Museum Gallery: Artifact Bytes Videos

Designed with focus on Tennessee, these two-minute videos introduce country music performers and/or objects important to the country music story.

Museum Gallery: Lessons

Prepare for a field trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. These lessons provide the opportunity for classroom collaboration about country music innovators DeFord Bailey, Mother Maybelle Carter, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Nudie Cohn, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl, Elvis Presley, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, and Hank Williams.

Exhibit-Based Lessons

Take a deep dive into country music history through these resources that explore the art, music, and time periods explored in our temporary exhibitions. Lessons include Outlaws and Armadillos: Country's Roaring '70s, Dylan Cash and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City, and more.

Discover DeFord Bailey

DeFord Bailey was an influential harmonica player in both country music and blues, one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular early performers, and country’s first African-American star.

Discover Ray Charles

Ray Charles was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. In the 1950s, he pioneered soul music. He also embraced many other styles of music, including jazz, blues, pop, and country music.