Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

06/18/2026

Robert Lee Parton, Dolly Parton's father, grew up in a time when Appalachian children went to work instead of to school. Because he never learned to read, he insisted that his children become readers. In 1988, Dolly launched the Dollywood Foundation, and Dolly Parton's Imagination Library became its flagship program. Presented in support of the Museum exhibit "Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker."

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/gmOMnpHtseI

06/17/2026

June 22–June 27, the puppet stars of "String City: Nashville's Tradition of Music and Puppetry” will perform twice daily, at 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM—plus a special 21+ performance on Thursday, June 25, at 6:00 PM, called “Marionettes and Margaritas.”

A collaboration between Nashville Public Library’s Wishing Chair Productions and the Museum, “String City” has been telling the exciting, true story of country music in Music City with nearly one hundred puppets for over a decade—don’t miss it.

Sensory friendly shows will take place on Tuesday, June 23.

Learn more: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/learn/teacher-resource-portal/social-studies/string-city

06/16/2026

The Museum's newest exhibition, "Kenny Chesney: Living in Fast Forward," presented by Blue Chair Bay Rum, will open July 23, 2026.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Chesney is one of the most successful country artists of the 2000s, a superstar who has sold millions of albums and become one of the biggest touring acts of the century in any genre.

Explore Chesney's journey from small-town Tennessee to sold-out stadiums across the country.

Learn more: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/kenny-chesney-living-in-fast-forward

06/15/2026

Lainey Wilson on the pedal-to-the-metal approach she shares with artist manager Mandelyn Monchick: “Between me and Mandelyn . . . I don’t know if we’re ever gonna be in cruise, if I’m being completely honest with you. We’re like, ‘Pedal down, let’s go.’”

Learn more when you visit the exhibit "Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails," now open: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/lainey-wilson-tough-as-nails

06/15/2026

On his first day at FAME Recording Studios & Publishing Co. in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in May 1966, Wilson Pickett was a bit confused by what Rick Hall and the all-white Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section could offer. Yet once they were settled and began recording the riotous "Land of 1000 Dances," the singer knew he was in the right place. The track skyrocketed to No. 1 on the "Billboard" Hot R&B chart, where it dominated for twelve weeks.

Pickett went on to record the bulk of his hit records at FAME—including "Mustang Sally" and his cover of "Hey Jude." The latter appeared on "The Best of Wilson Pickett, Vol. II," which featured a photo of the Southern soul sensation wearing this jumpsuit on the cover.

Learn more about Pickett and what made recording in the Shoals so special when you visit the exhibit, "Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising."

Get tickets: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/muscle-shoals-low-rhythm-rising

06/14/2026

For Alabama fans, June means more than the start of summer.

From 1982 to 1997, Alabama’s June Jam brought thousands of fans to Fort Payne, Alabama, hometown of band members Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Randy Owen. Headlined by the group, the festival drew crowds of up to 60,000 and raised more than $20 million for charity.

After a twenty-five-year hiatus, June Jam returned in 2023, once again filling Fort Payne with music fans as performers played to a sold-out crowd, raising funds for disaster relief.

Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005, Alabama helped redefine country music, proving that a self-contained, rock-style band could dominate both the charts and the stage. Between 1980 and 1993, the group scored more than thirty No. 1 country hits, sold millions of albums, and became one of the most successful acts in American music history.

Read more: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/alabama

06/13/2026

Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson are Lainey Wilson’s most consistent songwriting partners. During this program, the three friends—who call themselves the Heart Wranglers—share stories from their lives and perform songs they’ve written.

Presented in support of the exhibit "Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails."

Watch now:

Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson are Lainey Wilson’s most consist...

06/12/2026

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC: The CMA Theater will stream Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson’s sold-out final concert, "Last Call: One More for the Road - The Finale," live on Saturday, June 27, at 8:30 PM.

Jackson’s touring career has taken his catalog of classic country hits from coast to coast and beyond. The "Last Call: One More for the Road" tour, presented by Edward Jones and Silverbelly Whiskey, which began in 2022, culminates in one final performance at Nashville's Nissan Stadium. Watch the sold-out show live in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's CMA Theater.

Please note: the livestream will only show Jackson's portion of the concert.

Reserve tickets: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/alan-jackson-farewell-tour-live-stream-at-the-cma-theater

06/11/2026

Lainey Wilson recalls telling her parents her dream of moving to Nashville to pursue music. “As soon as I said it . . . they believed me," she said. "I think sometimes, kids might know a lot more than we give them credit for.”

Learn more about the support that Wilson received on the way to the top when you visit "Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails," now open: www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/lainey-wilson-tough-as-nails

06/10/2026

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMF Press and the University of Illinois Press are co-publishing a new autobiography by country music recording artist and physician Cleve Francis. "Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine, and History" will be available beginning Tuesday, October 6, 2026, in bookstores nationwide and other retail outlets. Pre-orders are available through The Museum Store.

The book tells the story of Francis, who was born to a poor family in the small town of Jennings, Louisiana. Through hard work and resolve, he rose to be a respected and successful medical doctor and recorded three albums for Capitol Nashville’s Liberty Records during the early 1990s, which included his charting singles “Love Light” and “You Do My Heart Good,” among others. He was one of the few Black artists ever to record country music for a major record label at the time.

The Museum’s Paul Kingsbury will host a discussion of the book with Cleve Francis on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Following the program, Francis will sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase.

Learn more: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/book-talk-do-my-heart-good-with-cleve-francis?date=09/05/2026&time=1781101800|1781106300