Public Programs
Nashville Cats

Nashville Cats showcases stories and songs from musicians and session singers who have played important roles in country music history. Through in-depth, one-on-one interviews with the honorees, gain a better understanding of how musicians made careers for themselves by backing hit artists in the recording studio or on concert tours. Vintage recordings, photos, and film clips supplement the interviews, and in some cases, the honorees demonstrate their techniques and recreate their famous musical contributions.
Nashville Cats: David Hood
As bassist for the famous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (“The Swampers”), David Hood has created an unforgettable body of recorded work during his sixty-year career. He lent his groove to the Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There,” Etta James’s “Tell Mama,” and classic albums by Willie Nelson (Phases and Stages), Paul Simon (There Goes Rhymin’ Simon), and Traffic (Shoot Out at the Fantasy Factory). His credits also include recordings by Solomon Burke, Clarence Carter, Glenn Frey, Levon Helm, John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton, Oak Ridge Boys, Boz Scaggs, Percy Sledge, Tony Joe White, and the Drive-By Truckers (fronted by Hood’s son, Patterson Hood).
Past Nashville Cats Honorees Include:
- Richie Albright (2019)
- Eddie Bayers (2010)
- Richard Bennett (2016)
- Harold Bradley (2006)
- David Briggs (2011)
- James Burton (2011)
- Jimmy Capps (2012)
- Jerry Carrigan (2009)
- Cindy Cashdollar (2022)
- Stuart Duncan (2014)
- Duane Eddy (2016)
- Ray Edenton (2007)
- DJ Fontana (2011)
- Paul Franklin (2013)
- Sonny Garrish (2018)
- Mac Gayden (2013)
- Steve Gibson (2014)
- Lloyd Green (2006)
- Don Helms (2006)
- John Hobbs (2012)
- Jim Horn (2017)
- Jerry Kennedy (2008)
- Millie Kirkham (2012)
- Mac McAnally (2017)
- Charlie McCoy (2006)
- Joey Miskulin (2018)
- Bob Moore (2007)
- Wayne Moss (2009)
- Weldon Myrick (2009)
- Norbert Putnam (2009)
- Mickey Raphael (2018)
- Leon Rhodes (2014)
- Michael Rhodes (2015)
- Hargus “Pig” Robbins (2007)
- Billy Sanford (2012)
- Buddy Spicher (2008)
- Ray Stevens (2010)
- Gordon Stoker and Ray Walker of the Jordanaires (2008)
- Robby Turner (2019)
- Pete Wade (2016)
- Bill Walker (2015)
- Bergen White (2013)
- Chip Young (2010)
- Reggie Young (2008)
- Andrea Zonn (2017)
Watch Videos On-Demand
Hear stories and songs from musicians and session singers who have played important roles in country music history – all at your own speed.