AMERICAN CURRENTS: THE MUSIC OF 2017 OPENS MARCH 9 AT COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME® AND MUSEUM

Exhibit to Feature Items from Jason Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, John Prine, Thomas Rhett, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Keith Urban, Chris Young and More

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 21, 2018 – On March 9, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will debut a new exhibition, American Currents: The Music of 2017, in the museum’s ACM Gallery. The exhibit chronicles the latest chapter in country music’s ever-evolving story through a behind-the-scenes look at some of last year’s most significant moments in country, Americana, and bluegrass music.

The 2017 class of American Currents will be represented by artifacts from Aldean, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, busbee, Luke Bryan, Shawn Camp, Eric Church, Dave Cobb, Luke Combs, Rodney Crowell, Florida Georgia Line, Fort Lonesome, Ashley Gorley, Sierra Hull, Sam Hunt, Jason Isbell, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Maren Morris, Josh Osborne, Jon Pardi, John Prine, Thomas Rhett, Marty Robbins, Amanda Shires, Sturgill Simpson, Taylor Swift, Randy Travis, Molly Tuttle, Keith Urban and Chris Young.

Among the artifacts:

• Jason Aldean’s Entertainer of the Year trophy from the ACM Awards in 2017
• TJ Osborne’s (Brothers Osborne) 1962 Kay archtop electric guitar
• John Osborne’s (Brothers Osborne) 3B West by Tansmith suede jacket with fringe, leather stitching, Native American beadwork, and bone pipe beads
• Luke Bryan’s denim jacket, T-shirt, and jeans worn when he performed “Light It Up” at the 2017 CMA Awards
• Luke Combs’ test pressing of his debut album, One’s for You (2017), made at United Record Pressing in Nashville
• Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line) outfits worn on ABC’s Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2018
• Sierra Hull’sWindsor dress and Windsor boots worn at the 2017 IBMA Awards
• Jason Isbell’s manuscripts for "Chaos and Clothes," “Cumberland Gap,” and “If We Were Vampires.” All three songs were included on Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit’s 2017 album, The Nashville Sound
• Miranda Lambert’s Self-Portrait sheer lace mini-dress worn when she hosted the CBS special A Home for the Holidays, December 2016
• Maren Morris’ fur coat worn on the cover of her album Hero
• Josh Osborne’s Song of the Year trophy from the CMT Artist of the Year Awards in 2017, for “Body Like a Back Road.” He cowrote Sam Hunt’s chart-topping hit with Hunt, Zach Crowell and Shane McAnally
• John Prine’s Artist of the Year trophy from the 2017 Americana Music Honors & Awards
• Thomas Rhett’s AllSaints bomber jacket, worn at the 2017 ACM Awards, where he performed “Craving You” with Maren Morris
• Sturgill Simpson’s Martin Custom Shop guitar and case, used by Simpson for an impromptu performance on the sidewalk outside Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena while the 2017 CMA Awards were underway inside
• Taylor Swift’s Custom-made Atelier Versace romper and Stuart Weitzman beaded booties worn for her debut performance of “Better Man” at the DIRECTV NOW Super Saturday Night Concert in Houston, February 4, 2017
• Chris Young’s Dolce & Gabbana jacket, pocket square and vest worn when Young joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017
• Keith Urban’s Single of the Year trophy for “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” presented to him at the 2017 CMA Awards

“Our mission at the museum is to preserve, interpret and educate people about the history and traditions of country music, and the music is always evolving,” said SVP of Museum Services Carolyn Tate. “When people visit this museum, we want them to leave with an understanding and appreciation of where this music comes from and where it might be heading. The American Currents exhibition allows us to highlight significant moments in today’s country music and to honor the music’s place in history.”

The exhibit American Currents, newly mounted at the beginning of every calendar year, provides a contemporary snapshot of the state of country music. Museum visitors learn about the deep history of the music in the permanent exhibition, Sing Me Back Home, and they learn about country music’s ongoing evolution as a popular art form in American Currents, which highlights everything from industry award winners and influential songwriters to emerging artists and country music legends.

For more information about the exhibit, visit www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

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Suggested Tweet: @countrymusichof will open American Currents: The Music of 2017 on March 9, featuring all things noteworthy in country music from 2017.

Contact:

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Heidi Egloff 615.416.2048

hegloff@countrymusichalloffame.org