The exhibition American Currents: State of the Music runs through February 5, 2023, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. Presented annually, American Currents represents the ongoing research and analysis among curators and Museum staff to determine the most significant developments in country music over the previous year. This year’s version features several African American artists.
“Through the annual American Currents exhibit, the museum documents the genre’s evolving history, diverse sounds and broad cultural influence,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “In another year characterized by the complexities of the pandemic, the continued pursuit of social justice and more, country music stood out as a microcosm of American culture. This exhibit offers perspectives on music and events that shaped the genre in 2021.”
Those recognized in this year’s American Currents: State of the Music are featured artists Jimmie Allen, BRELAND, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Jerry Douglas and John Hiatt, Jenee Fleenor, Grand Ole Opry, Mickey Guyton, Tom T. Hall, Walker Hayes, Wanda Jackson, Thomm Jutz, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Allison Russell, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Billy Strings, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lainey Wilson, and Lee Ann Womack.
A portion of the exhibit titled “Unbroken Circle” will highlight artists and their musical connections, including those who have influenced them or share musical perspectives. Featured pairings include BRELAND and Keith Urban, Thomm Jutz and Tom T. Hall, Brittney Spencer and Reba McEntire, and Lainey Wilson and Lee Ann Womack.
Among the exhibition artifacts are a pleated silk chiffon dress with draped cape Mickey Guyton wore on the cover of her 2021 album, Remember Her Name; a pair of customized boots Jimmie Allen wore when he competed on ABC-TV’s Dancing with the Stars in 2021, and at the 2021 CMA Awards, where he was named New Artist of the Year; and a Yamaha clarinet Allison Russell played, among other instruments, on her 2021 solo album, Outside Child.
American Currents also includes a video compilation of important country music moments from 2021. In addition, the exhibit recaps the year’s chart-topping country albums, singles, and highest-grossing tours as reported by Billboard and Pollstar. For more information about American Currents: State of the Music, visit www. CountryMusicHallofFame.org.
Free Community Pop-Up August 24
Additionally, a Community Pop-up: Learn Garage Band: Make a Hip-Hop Beat at Nashville Public Library, is scheduled for the Looby Branch on Wednesday, the 24th of August from 4:00 to 5:00 pm. The Museum travels to the Nashville Public Library’s Looby Branch to share the basics of beat-making with aspiring musicians. Smartphones, tablets, and recording software have given anyone the power to record and produce music.
In this introductory class, musician and educator Matt Kass will teach participants the fundamentals of the music production software GarageBand, including how to create a drum loop, add guitar and keyboard sounds, and record voices. Kass is a producer and multi-instrumentalist who has created music for television shows and national ad campaigns. Headphones and iPads provided, or bring your own. Recommended for ages 7 and up, but all ages are invited to attend. This event is presented in support of the Nashville Public Library’s Summer Reading Challenge.
