Country Stars Preview New American Currents Exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
American Currents (The Music of 2016) officially opens Friday, March 17, 2017.
March 14 marked a memorable evening for some of country music’s brightest acts when they visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN to get a preview of the new American Currents (The Music of 2016) exhibit.
Among the artifacts displayed behind glass were items from the careers of Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, RaeLynn, Mickey Guyton, Randy Travis and so many others. Many of those acts reflected on their past, having visited the museum before chasing their dream to stardom and embraced the full circle moment surrounding them.
“My favorite memory of this place is when my grandpa was still alive. He was in a wheelchair at the time and had just had surgery or something and I pushed him through the whole Country Music Hall of Fame and there is a picture of me jumping up and kicking my heels like I was loving it,” Eldredge told Sounds Like Nashville and other media prior to the exhibit’s preview. “I was showing him all of his favorite singers…he was a huge country fan. Showing him this amazing place and how much detail they go into here with the story about who paved the way for all of us to be part of this amazing thing that is country music. To be able to walk through and share that experience with him and now having an actual exhibit in here, wishing I could show him that piece now.”
“Heartbreak Song” singer Mickey Guyton was equally as reminiscent about her family, as her grandmother, who had taught her about music, had also recently passed away before having a chance to see the display. She did, however, get to tell her grandmother months earlier that she’d be featured among some of country music’s greats.
“My grandma passed away and she was the one that taught me music, so I found out right before she passed on,” Guyton shared with us. “It was like that bright light that we all kind of need. It was almost like a gift, I feel like, that was God, you know and she’s here. When I found out, it was just such a cool, cool thing to know. I couldn’t believe it.”
Thankfully, Guyton’s family was able to join her and see the exhibit together. The same goes for the family of rising star William Michael Morgan.
“They’re always there for me. They’ve always been there for me. They were the ones that were driving me to honky tonks when I was 15 years old, getting me in, sneaking me in to play,” Morgan told us of his family’s constant involvement in his career. “For them to be here… to say a dream come true is really an understatement and I’m glad that they get to share this moment with me or I get to share it with them rather, just because we’re so close. They’re my best friends.”
One thing everyone could agree on was how surreal the evening was, knowing that soon, fans from around the world would be able to enjoy the artifacts they contributed to the museum.
“I haven’t cried yet…I don’t know why it hasn’t hit me yet but maybe it’s because I don’t believe that it’s actually me. I’m like ‘Who’s dress is that,” reasoned RaeLynn, whose dress is displayed next to a dress Tammy Wynette once wore. “It’s definitely a really surreal moment and to be here with my family.”
“This is such a historical, amazing, country-rich place. I mean, for BK and I to even be in this place tonight is such an honor and pretty mind-blowing. We just walked up there and saw it for the first time and they did a great job,” added Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard. “…we look forward to our fans getting to check it out. I think it’s really cool, really special.”
The exhibit, which highlights the latest chapter in country music’s rich history, will also feature items from the Americana Music Association, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Ross Copperman, Earls of Leicester, Natalie Hemby, Sierra Hull, Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert, Jim Lauderdale, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Dolly Parton, Margo Price, John Prine, Chris and Morgane Stapleton and Randy Travis.
American Currents (The Music of 2016) officially opens Friday, March 17, 2017.
