As a kid, I hated country music.  We spent many summers driving to Chicago from DC and through most of Ohio and Indiana. most of the stations you could get on the radio were filled with twangy country.  I would try to sleep through the car ride so I wouldn’t have to listen! When I was a freshman in college, I finally gave country a try.  One of my roommates was dating a boy at Penn State and during most of her drives, all she could get on the radio was country and she fell for Tim McGraw.  She brought him home to our dorm and in turn I fell in love.  With him… and with country music I even like that twangy stuff now too!

So, being in Nashville, I knew I had to make my way to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Luckily, I arrived early enough in the afternoon that I could make the walk over there and get a good couple of hours in before the museum closed.

From the outside, I was impressed with the magnitude of the building.

Once inside, I was equally impressed.  In the main lobby, I found the museum store as well as an information desk (which turned out not to be the location to buy tickets… the ticket booth is off to the left once inside).

The sunshine streaming in added to the beauty of the lobby.

After purchasing tickets, they send you up an elevator to the 3rd floor to make your way down.  At the time of my visit, there was a special exhibit open on Tammy Wynette, apparently the First Lade of Country Music.  It was a nice exhibit, especially if you know who she is (I didn’t, and still don’t truthfully)

I really enjoyed the set-up of the museum.  The center of the museum appeared to have studios and libraries that were not accessible to museum-goers.  They were fun to look at from across the way.  The museum was generally set up around them.

As I walked through, it was quite busy, but I never felt crowded or rushed.  There was so much to see and listen to.

For example, there were these columns which, when you entered them, became your own private listening studio of one or two old records.  Music I generally didn’t know but enjoyed.

There are so many country stars from throughout the years.  There were many, many cases like this with a simple single tribute to each artist.

And of course there was Elvis.  It brought back memories of our visit to Graceland

Another car, not Elvis’s like above, had a gun for a hood ornament.  So country, right?

When I made it down to the second floor, I learned all about Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr, and all of Hank Williams Jr’s kids.  I had no idea! It was a very informative and large presentation.

As I ventured out of the Hank Williams family section, I came upon a mini theatre of performers.  Here I saw Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash.

Then I saw a gold piano – reminding me of Liberace!

Of course, as the Country Music Hall of Fame museum, there must be gold, platinum, and other award albums.  These pictures capture only a portion of the albums throughout the museum.

Overall, I really enjoyed the museum, but it also opened my eyes to how much I don’t know about the history of country music.  It was fascinating and I highly recommend it if you have a chance to check it out.  I just wish I had had more time to enjoy the museum!