The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate the opening of American Currents: State of the Music on Wednesday, February 28th. American Currents is presented annually to explore musical developments, artist achievements and notable events. The exhibit runs until February 2025 in the museum’s ACM gallery.
“Through the 8th annual American Currents exhibit, the museum looks at the country music landscape through a wide-angle lens — encompassing developments in mainstream country, Americana, bluegrass and related roots music,” said Kyle Young, chief executive officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “Our curators and historians examine the year’s major events and achievements, allowing the museum to assemble an exhibit that reflects the genre’s current impact, history and continued evolution.”
This year’s installation features a variety of artists, musicians, songwriters and initiatives that were prominent in country music in 2023. The exhibition includes Oliver Anthony, Kelsea Ballerini, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Luke Combs, S.G. Goodman, Nat Myers, Nickel Creek, Joy Oladokun, Jelly Roll, Allison Russell, Shucked (the Broadway musical scored by Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally), SistaStrings, Billy Strings, Taylor Swift, Molly Tuttle, Morgan Wallen, Kelsey Waldon, The War And Treaty, Lucinda Williams and Lainey Wilson.
In addition, the exhibit also features “Unbroken Circle”, which highlights the musical connections between artists. For some, it is through shared musical perspectives, while others are musicians that have influenced one another. The featured pairs are Jessie Jo Dillon and Cindy Walker, C.J. Lewandowski and Bobby Osborne, Megan Moroney and Kacey Musgraves and Hailey Whitters and Martina McBride. A video compilation of important music moments from 2023 is also on display. The exhibit also features a recap of the year’s chart-topping albums, singles and highest-grossing tours.
The museum will host a Songwriter Session with Kelsey Waldon on March 2nd and a Musician Spotlight with C.J. Lewandowski on March 3rd to celebrate the exhibit. For additional information about museum programming, tickets and more visit www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.