ABC’s ‘Nashville’ to be Featured in Spotlight Exhibition at The Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will unveil a special spotlight exhibition dedicated to ABC’s hit television series “Nashville” on April 5. “Nashville”: Like a Country Song, which will feature costumes, props and more from the acclaimed drama, will be located within the museum’s permanent exhibition on the second floor; the exhibit will run through October 31, 2013.
“Nashville” airs on the ABC Television Network on Wednesdays, 10:00 – 11:00 p.m., PT/ET and is executive produced by Dee Johnson (“Boss,” “The Good Wife”), R.J. Cutler (“The September Issue,” “The War Room”), and Oscar-winning screenwriter Callie Khouri (“Thelma and Louise”). The weekly drama focuses on the lives and careers of country music rivals Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes, played by Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere, respectively; the show also features a supporting cast of industry insiders, musicians, fledging artists and politicians. Filmed on location in Music City, the series gives viewers a realistic look inside the music industry. Khouri says the show “plays out like a country song. There’s heartbreak; there’s cryin’; there’s drinkin’. The whole notion is to live in the world of country music, so you’ll get everything that goes along with that.”
Each episode also features original songs, such as “Wrong Song” and “If I Didn’t Know Better,” performed by the actors. Executive music producer, T Bone Burnett—in league with co-producer and musician Buddy Miller—keeps the show’s tunes sounding authentic. This winning mix of music and drama made the series the most anticipated new show of autumn 2012: Among its many accolades, “Nashville” was described by the Los Angeles Times as “big, bold, wildly ambitious and great fun”; and Entertainment Weekly declared it “the best new show of the fall season, boldly soapy, seamlessly musical.”
Artifacts on display in “Nashville”: Like a Country Song include:
A metallic-toned cocktail dress, with bronze paillette overlay and copper sequins and beading, and snakeskin-look platform peep-toe shoes, worn by Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) when she performed “Wrong Song” with Juliette Barnes.
A beaded, strapless mini-dress, worn by Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) when she and Rayna Jaymes performed “Wrong Song.”
A 2009 Gretsch G6121-1955 Chet Atkins solid body guitar and personalized strap played by Deacon Claybourne (Charles Esten) in the pilot episode of “Nashville.”
A Boho-inspired black lace dress with silky skirt, worn by Scarlett O’Connor (Clare Bowen).
A Gibson LG-2 guitar belonging to Gunnar Scott (Sam Palladio).
Framed art featured in the episode “You Win Again,” in which fictional record label Edgehill Republic throws a party to celebrate the platinum success of the Rayna Jaymes-Juliette Barnes duet “Wrong Song.”
A script of the “Nashville” pilot episode, autographed by cast members Powers Boothe, Clare Bowen, Connie Britton, Eric Close, Charles Esten, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Hayden Panettiere and Robert Ray Wisdom.
Spotlight exhibits are narratives that supplement themes or aspects of the museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. These short-term, informal displays either provide a closer look at a particular person, group or aspect of country music, or spotlight recently donated items or special anniversaries. Rotated often, spotlight exhibits also offer a glimpse into the museum’s unique collection, which includes recorded discs, historical photographs, films and videotapes; thousands of posters, books, songbooks, periodicals and sheet music; personal artifacts such as performers’ instruments, costumes and accessories; and more.
Other current spotlight exhibits focus on Garth Brooks, Jack Greene, Minnie Pearl, Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Connie Smith and Dottie West.
