NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 19, 2016—The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will explore the life and work of guitar legend Richard Bennett in an installment of the museum’s special program series Nashville Cats, Saturday, July 30, at 1:30 p.m., in the museum’s Ford Theater. Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the in-depth interview will be illustrated with vintage photos, film footage and recordings, and Bennett will perform briefly.

Discovered in Phoenix and mentored by Wrecking Crew guitar great Al Casey, Bennett played his first L.A. recording sessions during summer vacation while still in high school. He started his stellar studio career by contributing to Neil Diamond’s 1971 album, Stones, and he continued recording and touring as a member of Diamond’s band until 1987. Since 1994, Bennett has worked with British guitar ace Mark Knopfler in the studio and on the road.

Since moving to Nashville, Bennett has done distinguished work as a guitarist and/or a producer for Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, Marty Stuart, Phil Lee, and many more.

After the July 30 program, Bennett will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters. This program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming. Nashville Cats: A Salute to Guitarist Richard Bennett is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited and passes are required for admittance. Museum members can reserve their program passes in advance by phone (615-416-2050) or via reservations@countrymusichalloffame.org.

The Nashville Cats series honors musicians who have played an integral role in Nashville and country music. Recent honorees include Pete Wade, Duane Eddy, Paul Franklin, Mac Gayden, Steve Gibson, Michael Rhodes, Billy Sanford, Bill Walker, and Bergen White.

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum collects, preserves, and interprets country music and its history for the education and entertainment of diverse audiences. In exhibits, publications, and educational programs, the museum explores the cultural importance and enduring beauty of the art form. The museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and in 2015 welcomed over one million patrons, placing it among the ten most-visited history museums in the U.S. The Country Music Foundation operates Historic RCA Studio BTM, Hatch Show Print® poster shop, CMF Records, the Frist Library and Archive, and CMF Press. Museum programs are supported by the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416-2001.