American Currents: State of the Music
Now open, this annual exhibit offers a broad look at country music and its place in American culture over the past year, exploring musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events. The latest installment, which will be open through January 2027 in the ACM Gallery, features music and moments from cozy clubs to cavernous arenas.
Those recognized include Julien Baker and TORRES, BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman, Biscuits & Banjos, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, Kaitlin Butts, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, Tyler Childers, Luke Combs, Charley Crockett, John Denver, Carter Faith, Farm Aid, Sierra Ferrell, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Grand Ole Opry, Riley Green, Charlie Handsome, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Cody Johnson, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, Ella Langley, MJ Lenderman, Megan Moroney, Muscadine Bloodline, Ken Pomeroy, Ringo Starr, Billy Strings, Zach Top, Turnpike Troubadours, Morgan Wallen, Waxahatchee, Wednesday, Jesse Welles, Lainey Wilson, Stephen Wilson Jr., and Tammy Wynette.
Upcoming Programs
Celebrate opening weekend of American Currents with a Musician Spotlight with Sierra Hull on March 22. Additional programs featuring Jesse Welles, Stephen Wilson Jr., Ashley Gorley, and Carter Faith all represented in American Currents, will take place throughout Spring and Summer.
Woody at Home: Exploring Woody Guthrie’s Home Recordings with Special Guest Jesse Welles
Saturday, May 2 | 2:30-4:00 PM
Heartland Rock and the Fight for America with Erin Osmon and Stephen Wilson Jr.
Saturday, May 9 | 2:30-4:00 PM
Featured in Exhibit
Julien Baker and TORRES
BigXthaPlug and Bailey Zimmerman
Biscuits & Banjos
Alison Brown and Steve Martin
Kaitlin Butts
Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland
Tyler Childers
Luke Combs
Charley Crockett
John Denver
Carter Faith
Farm Aid
Sierra Ferrell
Vince Gill
Ashley Gorley
Grand Ole Opry
Riley Green
Charlie Handsome
Sierra Hull
I’m With Her
Cody Johnson
Alison Krauss & Union Station
Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll
Ella Langley
MJ Lenderman
Megan Moroney
Muscadine Bloodline
Ken Pomeroy
Ringo Starr
Billy Strings
Zach Top
Turnpike Troubadours
Morgan Wallen
Waxahatchee
Wednesday
Jesse Welles
Lainey Wilson
Stephen Wilson Jr.
Tammy Wynette
Featured Artifacts
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Vince Gill guitars
Pictured on the cover of Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill’s 2025 EP Secondhand Smoke: 50 Years from Home, this Gibson ES-125 and this Harmony acoustic guitar belonged to his father, Stan Gill, and are the guitars Vince learned to play on.
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Pictured on the cover of Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill’s 2025 EP Secondhand Smoke: 50 Years from Home, this Gibson ES-125 and this Harmony acoustic guitar belonged to his father, Stan Gill, and are the guitars Vince learned to play on.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Sierra Ferrell gown
Known for her whimsical stage wear, Sierra Ferrell wore this ethereal costume at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025. Adorned with imitation pearls, glass beads, and rhinestones, the iridescent ballgown and matching choker were designed by Jeffrey Kelly Designs.
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Known for her whimsical stage wear, Sierra Ferrell wore this ethereal costume at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025. Adorned with imitation pearls, glass beads, and rhinestones, the iridescent ballgown and matching choker were designed by Jeffrey Kelly Designs.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Charley Crockett jacket and hat
Charley Crockett wore this buckskin jacket—accented with fringe and leather—and this cowboy hat in the music video for “Lonesome Drifter,” the title track of his second album release in 2025.
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Charley Crockett wore this buckskin jacket—accented with fringe and leather—and this cowboy hat in the music video for “Lonesome Drifter,” the title track of his second album release in 2025.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Stephen Wilson Jr. outfit
Stephen Wilson Jr. wore this sweater, jacket, bolo tie and clasp, and ballcap embellished with embroidered roses and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe when he performed a solo acoustic version of Ben E. King’s classic hit “Stand by Me” at the Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19, 2025. The “Gary” patch on Wilson’s jacket refers to the title of his 2025 single, which he wrote as a tribute to the disappearing blue-collar archetype of hard-working men who can “fix about anything a hammer can’t handle.”
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Stephen Wilson Jr. wore this sweater, jacket, bolo tie and clasp, and ballcap embellished with embroidered roses and an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe when he performed a solo acoustic version of Ben E. King’s classic hit “Stand by Me” at the Country Music Association Awards on Nov. 19, 2025. The “Gary” patch on Wilson’s jacket refers to the title of his 2025 single, which he wrote as a tribute to the disappearing blue-collar archetype of hard-working men who can “fix about anything a hammer can’t handle.”
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Tyler Childers music video costume
Tyler Childers wore this pith helmet, western shirt, tweed vest, and fake moustache in the music video for “Eatin’ Big Time,” from his 2025 album, Snipe Hunter.
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Tyler Childers wore this pith helmet, western shirt, tweed vest, and fake moustache in the music video for “Eatin’ Big Time,” from his 2025 album, Snipe Hunter.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Ella Langley gown
Ella Langley wore this Dolce & Gabbana snake-print gown on the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8, 2025. Langley was nominated for six ACM awards, four of which were for her song with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me.”
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Ella Langley wore this Dolce & Gabbana snake-print gown on the red carpet at the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8, 2025. Langley was nominated for six ACM awards, four of which were for her song with Riley Green, “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Jesse Welles Americana award
The Americana Music Association presented this personalized Sprit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles at the Americana Honors & Awards in 2025. Presented by John Fogerty, the wood trophy was designed and hand-painted by Stef Ratliff.
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The Americana Music Association presented this personalized Sprit of Americana Free Speech in Music award to Jesse Welles at the Americana Honors & Awards in 2025. Presented by John Fogerty, the wood trophy was designed and hand-painted by Stef Ratliff.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Charlie Handsome childhood cassette and recorder
When he was seven, Charlie Handsome used this CR-318 portable cassette recorder to record his first songs, “Butts in Da Hood” and “Chicks,” onto the cassette tape still inside.
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When he was seven, Charlie Handsome used this CR-318 portable cassette recorder to record his first songs, “Butts in Da Hood” and “Chicks,” onto the cassette tape still inside.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland fiddles
Jason Carter of the bluegrass duo Carter & Cleveland played this custom-built Rafael Storm fiddle, and Michael Carter used this Heberlein violin, built in Germany in 1915.
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Jason Carter of the bluegrass duo Carter & Cleveland played this custom-built Rafael Storm fiddle, and Michael Cleveland used this Heberlein violin, built in Germany in 1915.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Sierra Hull signature model mandolin
This Sierra Hull Master Model signature mandolin was built for Hull by the Gibson Custom Shop in 2025. She is the first female musician to be honored with a signature model Gibson mandolin.
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This Sierra Hull Master Model signature mandolin was built for Hull by the Gibson Custom Shop in 2025. She is the first female musician to be honored with a signature model Gibson mandolin.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Wednesday “Elderberry Wine” manuscript
These are handwritten lyrics, with corrections by Karly Hartzman, for her song “Elderberry Wine,” from the band Wednesday’s 2025 album, Bleeds. Hartzman is the group’s lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter.
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These are handwritten lyrics, with corrections by Karly Hartzman, for her song “Elderberry Wine,” from the band Wednesday’s 2025 album, Bleeds. Hartzman is the group’s lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Ringo Starr hat
Ringo Starr wore this Stetson hat on the cover of his 2025 country music album, Look Up.
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Ringo Starr wore this Stetson hat on the cover of his 2025 country music album, Look Up.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Tammy Wynette outfit
Country Music Hall of Fame member Tammy Wynette wore this sequin-embellished leather and Afghan knit jacket and skirt during a performance in the late 1970s.
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Country Music Hall of Fame member Tammy Wynette wore this sequin-embellished leather and Afghan knit jacket and skirt during a performance in the late 1970s.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Morgan Wallen racing suit
Just before Morgan Wallen appeared onstage at shows on his I’m the Problem Tour in 2025, an introductory video was shown, featuring him wearing this Simpson racing suit, Bell helmet, gloves, and Puma sneakers.
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Just before Morgan Wallen appeared onstage at shows on his I’m the Problem Tour in 2025, an introductory video was shown, featuring him wearing this Simpson racing suit, Bell helmet, gloves, and Puma sneakers.
Photo Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Plan Your Visit
The exhibition American Currents: State of the Music runs March 18, 2026, through January 2027 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville.