Before visiting Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, tourists should first stop by the Country Music Hall of Fame for interesting background information on the country stars also featured at the Grand Ole Opry. In addition to historical memorabilia from country and western music stars, the Music Hall of Fame includes historic video clips, recorded music, performances, a museum store and dining. Visitors may choose either guided or self-directed tours, as well as tour the facility using earphones noting information about the various exhibits.
Location of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame is situated only a few steps from the Grand Ole Opry House and lies west of the Tennessee’s Cumberland River. Located ten blocks from downtown Nashville, Tennessee, at 222 Fifth Avenue South, the Country Music Hall of Fame constitutes an entire city block. The site functions as both a history museum and as an international arts organization. When tourists see the gigantic piano keys decorated the exterior of the building there’s no doubt they’ve come to right location.
Purpose of the Country Music Hall of Fame
The Country Music Hall of Fame functions as both a history museum and as an international arts organization. The Music Hall was built to help preserve the traditional aspects of country music as well as inform visitors of country music’s rich history. This popular Nashville attraction draws tourists, students and music industry personnel from around the nation and world-wide.
Music Hall of Fame Highlights
In addition to the wide assortment of memorabilia and historical information on top country singers, the Music Hall of Fame features exhibits that stand out more than others. For example, there are several booths where visitors can listen to old 45 rpm records of country classics. Historical manuscripts and newspaper clippings document special events in the lives of country singing artists. However, to Elvis fans, nothing compares to the King of Rock ‘n Roll’s famous 1961 Cadillac which sits on the top floor. Another highlight is the room of wall-to-wall bronze plaques of each member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Brief History of the Hall of Fame
The history of the Country Music Hall of Fame begins in 1961 when The Country Music Association (CMA) chose its first inductees in 1961. The first members inducted including Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers and Fred Rose. At a CMA banquet, the same year, these first three inductees were honored with plaques having their facial likenesses, along brief biographies which were cast in bas-relief. These plaques were displayed in downtown Nashville’s Tennessee Museum until 1967. Then, in 1967 the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in April of 1967 at Sixteenth and Division Street, only to close on the last day of 2000. It reopened at its present location, on Fifth Avenue South, in May of 2001 with the new site featuring the Hall of Fame Rotunda of bronze statues.
Besides offering historical background on country singing artists the Country Music Hall of Fame shows how far the country music field has come since its early beginnings in the 1920s. Although country and western music uses modern technologies to reach today’s fans, it’s now as popular in the 21st century as it has ever been. What’s more, visitors to the Hall of Fame come to appreciate the honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Since 1961, 108 members have been chosen.
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