Latest Events at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum®

Songwriter Session: Jeff Black

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:50:46 -0600

Singer-songwriter Jeff Black wrote songs for his acclaimed albums, including his latest release Plow Through the Mystic. Black also penned "King of the World" (Blackhawk); "Same Ol' River" (Sam Bush); "That's Just About Right" (Blackhawk), "They're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone" (Jon Randall); and songs recorded by Dierks Bentley, Iris Dement, Waylon Jennings, and others. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

The educational programs of the Country Music Hall of Fame^®and Museum are funded in part by grants from the Tennessee Art Commission and the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, through an agreement with the Tennessee Art Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Book reading: Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:26:07 -0600

Diane Diekman will read from her new book, Twentieth Century Drifter: The Life of Marty Robbins. This is the first in-depth biography of country music artist and NASCAR driver Marty Robbins. Through extensive research and interviews with Robbins's family and surviving band members, Diekman tells the story of a successful and well loved man who was always searching for inner peace. Diekman grew up on a South Dakota farm and is a retired Navy captain. Her previous books include Live Fast, Love Hard: The Farron Young Story, and Navy Greenshirt: A Leader Made, Not Born. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Bakersfield Sound Demonstration: Pete Finney and Jon Byrd

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:20:28 -0600

In celebration of our new exhibition, Pete Finney and Jon Byrd will demonstrate musical styles associated with the Bakersfield Sound. Discussion will highlight pedal-steel guitarists Tom Brumley, Norm Hamlet, and Ralph Mooney, and Fender Telecaster stylists James Burton, Roy Nichols, and Don Rich. The program will feature songs by Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, and Wynn Stewart. Finney's resume includes work with Trace Adkins, Bobby Bare, the Dixie Chicks, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, and Reba McEntire. Byrd is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. Presented in support of The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California Country. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members. Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Film Screening: Greetings from Bakersfield Country! (1991)

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:44:07 -0600

Through performances and interviews with key Bakersfield artists Merle Haggard, Fred and Rose Maddox, Buck Owens, and Henry Sharpe, this documentary traces the social and economic factors present in southern California that fostered the hard-edged, amped-up dance music that characterizes the classic Bakersfield Sound. The artists describe growing up and picking cotton in the "Okie" migrant communities, spending late nights singing at legendary clubs like the Blackboard, and the excitement of creating a music scene that challenged Nashville as the center of country music. 58 minutes. Free. Made Possible by Iron Mountain Film and Sound Archives.

Panel Discussion: Together Again: Pioneers of the Bakersfield Sound

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:40:31 -0600

Musicians who were active at the dawn of the Bakersfield Sound (1940s-1960s) discuss their involvement in California's country music scene. Songwriting legend Dallas Frazier began his career in Bakersfield, where he was mentored by Ferlin Husky and appeared on the television show Cousin Herb's Trading Post. Fiddler Don Maddox is the only surviving member of Maddox Brothers & Rose, one of the first country acts to attain widespread popularity in the Golden State. Rose Lee Maphis appeared on West Coast TV broadcasts with her late husband, Joe Maphis, with whom she recorded "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud Music)"-a classic inspired by Joe's visit to Bakersfield honky-tonk the Blackboard Cafe. Buddy Mize, brother of Bakersfield luminary Billy Mize, worked on the Trading Post (on and off camera) before achieving songwriting success with "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" and other hits. Country Music Hall of Fame member Jean Shepard topped the charts in 1953 with "A Dear John Letter," the first national hit created by Bakersfield songwriters and musicians. Known as the Bard of Bakersfield, Red Simpson wrote over forty songs for Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, while charting with his own recordings of "I'm a Truck" and "The Highway Patrol." California-based music journalist Scott B. Bomar will moderate. The program will be streamed live on CountryMusicHallofFame.org. Included with Museum admission and free to Museum members.

Family Program: California Country Art with Hatch Show Print

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:43:32 -0600

The Bakersfield Sound is fun, loud, and makes you want to get up and dance. It was influenced by the people, environment, and economic circumstances of Southern California in the 1940s and 1950s. In this program, family visitors will create artwork that represents country music and California though block images from Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the U.S. For ages 5 and up. Takes place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Free. Families are encouraged to tour the museum at a discounted rate following the program. Visit the information desk or ticket window for more information.

Concert: Under Your Spell Again: The Sounds of Bakersfield

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:50:09 -0600

Bakersfield's Red Simpson headlines a concert that includes guest performances by Gene Breeden, Dallas Frazier, Don Maddox, Rose Lee Maphis, Eugene Moles Jr., Buddy Mize, Dennis Payne, Jean Shepard, and others. Guitarist Deke Dickerson, a student of the Bakersfield Sound and a prominent figure in the West Coast roots-music community, will lead a house band of players from Tennessee and California. Included with Museum admission and free to Museum members.

This program will be streamed live online. Live stream powered by NewTek TriCaster.

Book Talk: The Bakersfield Sound

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:35:03 -0600

Southern California music journalists Scott B. Bomar, Randy Poe, and Robert Price will discuss essays they wrote for the Museum's new exhibition companion book, The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and California Country. Free. Pick up a $7 box lunch at the Museum's Two Twenty-Two Grill & Catering before the program. To place your order in advance, please call 615-291-6759.

Acoustic Guitar Demonstration: Dick Boak with Thom Bresh and Richard Starkey

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:41:50 -0600

Dick Boak is a guitar player, designer, builder, and historian. In his 35-year career with the Martin Guitar Company, he has collaborated with artists such as Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and Willie Nelson on the conception of more than 140 signature guitars. In this demonstration, Boak will offer an interactive overview of the acoustic guitar as it relates to country music and will showcase several important examples in the evolution of acoustic guitars. Bresh and Starkey will also provide music. Bresh is a member of the Thumbpickers Hall of Fame. He has played alongside Atkins, James Burton, Les Paul, and Jerry Reed, as well as his father, Merle Travis. Starkey is a flatpick guitarist who plays in the style of Doc Watson and Clarence White. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members. Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Songwriter Session: Bobby Tomberlin and Jim Glaser

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:05:55 -0600

Bobby Tomberlin wrote "A Good Day to Run" (Darryl Worley); "Angel's Hands" (Rodney Atkins); "I Want You" (Faith Hill); "If Only" (Eddy Arnold); "One More Day" (Diamond Rio); "She Misses Him on Sunday the Most" (Diamond Rio); and others. Jim Glaser wrote and performed the hits "If I Could Only Dance with You," "The Man in the Mirror," "When You're Not a Lady," and "You're Gettin' to Me Again." His songs have also been recorded by Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Skeeter Davis, and Bill Anderson. At nineteen, Glaser gained recognition when he sang high harmony on the Marty Robbins' classic "El Paso." Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Panel Discussion: Chet Atkins, Record Producer: Behind the Scenes at RCA

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:14:20 -0600

To complement our exhibit featuring guitarist and record producer Chet Atkins, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will discuss Atkins's record production methods with some of his closest associates. RCA crossover artists Bobby Bare ("Detroit City") and Jim Ed Brown ("The Three Bells"), background singer Delores Dinning Edgin, studio guitarist Ray Edenton, and hit songwriter John D. Loudermilk ("Abilene") will share stories of their work with Atkins, providing insights into what made him one of country music's most successful producers of all time. Presented in support of the exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, made possible by the Gretsch Company. Additional support provided by GAC. The program will be streamed live on CountryMusicHallofFame.org. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Special program: The House that Chet Built: A Chet Atkins tour of Historic RCA Studio B

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:23:50 -0600

As RCA Nashville's manager of operations, Chet Atkins was pivotal in convincing RCA Records to build a Nashville studio in 1957 and in making Studio B one of Music City's landmark recording facilities. After the studio opened, Atkins logged many hours at "B" as a musician and as a producer, cutting records that helped to define the classic Nashville Sound. This unique guided tour will show how Atkins worked in his longtime recording home. Led by Atkins acolyte and museum staffer Ben Hall. Presented in support of the exhibit Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player, made possible by the Gretsch Company. Additional support provided by GAC. Tickets can be purchased as an add-on to museum admission or for $9 for museum members. Reservations are required, and seating is limited. The shuttle departs from the museum promptly at 3:30 p.m. For information call 615-416-2001.

Fiddle Demonstration: David Coe

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:02:53 -0600

David Coe plays fiddle for Michael Martin Murphey, Nashville-based Irish band the Rogues, and the contradance band FootLoose. He will demonstrate old-time Appalachian and Irish fiddle tunes. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members. Made possible by Gibson Guitar Corporation.

Songwriter Session: Gary Nicholson

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:27:06 -0600

Gary Nicholson wrote "Lone Star Blues" (George Strait); "Lucky Me, Lucky You" (Lee Roy Parnell); "More Love" (Dixie Chicks); "My Kind of Crazy" (John Anderson); "One More Last Chance" (Vince Gill); "She Couldn't Change Me" (Montgomery Gentry); "That's the Thing About Love" (Don Williams); "The Trouble with the Truth" (Patty Loveless); "When Love Starts Talkin'" (Wynonna Judd); "When You Gonna Come Around" (Dierks Bentley); "Working Without a Net" (Waylon Jennings); and many others. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

Nashville Cats: Salute to Session Player John Hobbs

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:59:58 -0600

Keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and arranger John Hobbs established himself first on the Los Angeles music scene before beginning to work in Nashville. He moved to Nashville permanently in 1994. His credits include sessions with country greats George Jones, Merle Haggard, and Reba McEntire and with pop stars Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, and Olivia Newton-John, among many others. Hobbs can be heard on numerous hits including George Strait's "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind," Kenny Chesney's "When the Sun Goes Down," and Vince Gill's "Next Big Thing." He has been Gill's band leader since 2000; he won a 2007 Grammy for coproducing Gill's four-CD set, These Days; and he coproduced Gill's latest, Guitar Slinger. This interview and performance will be illustrated with vintage photographs, film footage, and recordings. Autograph signing to follow, outside the Ford Theater. Included with Museum admission. Free to Museum members.

This program will be streamed live. Live stream powered by NewTek TriCaster.

Autograph Signing: 3:00pm

John Hobbs will sign his custom Hatch Show Print poster, purchased from the Museum Store, on Saturday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. Hobbs will sign the posters outside the Ford Theater. Live from the Museum Store is presented by CMT.

John Hobbs will only sign his custom Hatch Show Print poster, purchased from the Museum Store.
There is no limit to the number of posters that John Hobbs will sign.
John Hobbs will not sign personal items.
Lean-in photographs will be allowed (no group photos).
Bags and items from other sources are prohibited in the Museum Store. Fans may check items in Guest Services if necessary.
All guests must maintain reasonable and appropriate behavior at all times. Guests using offensive language or engaging in disorderly conduct may be ejected from the Country Music Hall of Fame^® and Museum and barred from re-entry.