We are proud to host the SCALE 2020 conference in downtown Nashville. The event is being held at the incredible Music City Center, home to local events, major expos, and even nationally televised events such as the 2019 NFL Draft.  As part of our effort to welcome SCALE attendees, we have been putting out material on what there is to do in the Music City such as visit the Grand Ole Opry, a list of some of the biggest tourist attractions in the area, and even give a few little known facts about Nashville! 

 

Today, we will continue that effort by exploring the many fascinating sights and sounds of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Located literally next door the SCALE 2020, the Country Music Hall of Fame is known the world over for its historical significance and unmissable exhibits. Here is a bit more information about the Country Music Hall of Fame and why you should stop by!

A Brief History of the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame opened in 1961 to provide a history and an experience to country music lovers from around the world. The organization was accredited by the American Alliance of Museums in 1987, “certifying that the museum operates according to the highest standards, manages its more than two million-item collection responsibly, and provides quality service to the public. Of the 17,500 museums nationwide, only some 1000 are accredited.”

 

The museum is well known for its unique architecture and close proximity to the Music City Center, Bridgestone Arena, and nearby Omni Hotel. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is part of perhaps the most well-known stretch of landmarks in downtown Nashville known as Music Row. The hall of fame and museum has expanded in 1974, 1977, and 1984 to accommodate a growing library of recordings, costumes, cars, instruments, and other memorabilia. 

Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame Amenities

The range of collections held at the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is astonishing. This list includes but is not limited to:

 

Digital archive: films, photographs, recordings, print media, and many other materials are available ranging from modern country to the origins of American folk music. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum maintains this digital archive as a part of its ongoing dedication “to preserving its unparalleled collection of historically and culturally unique resources, as well as making them publicly accessible for educational purposes.”

 

Collection of memorabilia: of course no museum or hall of fame would be complete without a robust collection of items including over 800 stage worn costumes, over 600 musical instruments, cars, microphones, and much more! The installation of displays is consistently rotated, so there is always something new to see. Examples of noteworthy items include a one of a kind Les Paul “log” guitar, DeFord Bailey’s harmonica, and Bill Monroe’s favorite mandolin.

 

Bob Pinson recorded sound collection: one of the most robust musical collections in the world, the Pinson collection “embraces nearly 200,000 sound recordings including an estimated 98 percent of all pre-World War II country recordings released commercially.” Bob Pinson himself was a dedicated employee at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum until he passed away in 2003. Pinson was personally responsible for acquiring and cataloguing a huge percentage of this incredible library.

 

Photograph collection: ranging from one of a kind photographs to clipping from historical press releases, the photograph collection at the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame runs from the 1920’s through to the current day.

 

The Biggest Attractions of the Country Music Hall of Fame

To showcase the various exhibits and displays at the Country Music Hall of Fame, here are a few examples of exhibits currently showing.

 

 

• American currents, the music of 2018: the country music hall of fame is more than just a dedication to past acts and dusty old pictures. Current music is alive and well in downtown Nashville!

• Outlaws and Armadillos, country’s roaring 70’s “celebrates this era of cultural and artistic exchange between Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas, revealing untold stories and never-seen artifacts. The exhibition, which remains for a nearly three-year run, explores the complicated, surprising relationship between the two cities.”

• The songwriting artistry of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant: two legendary Nashville songwriters are celebrated in this exhibit filled with personal items, songwriting materials, musical instruments, and much more. 

• Brooks & Dunn, kings of neon: another modern act worth a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Museum is the renowned Brooks & Dunn. The current exhibit focuses on the early career of the musicians and how they rose to such prominence. 

 

 

Join us for SCALE 2020 in Downtown Nashville, TN!

This July 22-25th, join us at the world famous Music City Convention Center in downtown Nashville for SCALE 2020! The annual Symposium for Cosmetic Advances & Laser Education is bigger and better than ever. We are proud to present a wide range of exhibitors and sponsors who will be discussing topics ranging from robotic dermatological surgeries to acne to non-invasive cosmetic procedures. Register now to reserve your spot to the premier multidisciplinary meeting for aesthetic medicine, surgery and dermatology in the United States!