Public Programs
Nashville Cats
Keyboardist Bobby Wood earned the admiration of the musicians he has worked with, including Garth Brooks, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Sam Phillips, and Elvis Presley. Raised on a family farm in Mississippi, Wood moved to Memphis after high school to pursue a music career. His recording of “If I’m a Fool for Loving You” was rising up the charts in 1964 when a car wreck laid him up for six months, and after recuperating, Wood focused on session work and songwriting. He became a pivotal member of legendary studio crew the Memphis Boys, who were responsible for numerous hits recorded at American Sound Studio, including records by Presley, Neil Diamond, Wilson Pickett, and Dusty Springfield. After moving to Nashville in 1972, Wood recorded with Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, Tammy Wynette, and many others. He has played in Brooks’s studio band since the beginning of Brooks’s career. The interview will be moderated by the Museum’s RJ Smith and will be illustrated with vintage photos, film, and recordings.
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.
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)
- David Hood (2023)
- Jim Horn (2017)
- Jerry Kennedy (2008)
- Millie Kirkham (2012)
- Kenny Lovelace (2022)
- Brent Mason (2023)
- Mac McAnally (2017)
- Charlie McCoy (2006)
- Joey Miskulin (2018)
- Bob Moore (2007)
- Wayne Moss (2009)
- Weldon Myrick (2009)
- Herb Pedersen (2023)
- 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.
