HOF Keeps It Country With Alan Jackson

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is gearing up for the forthcoming exhibit Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, with an opening-weekend-only artifact on display and special, exhibit-related programs.

Country fans and car enthusiasts take note. From August 29 through September 1, Jackson’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible will be on display in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. Having saved his money since he was 12 years old, Jackson bought the car when he was 15. He restored it with his dad, Gene, and drove it throughout high school before selling it to put a down payment on his first home with wife Denise. Several years later Denise tracked down the car and gave it to Alan as a Christmas gift. The T-Bird served as inspiration for his 2002 song “First Love,” and, in 2008, the car (and Denise) appeared in Jackson’s music video “Good Time.”

In addition to the car display, the museum is offering a trio of exhibit-related programs for the opening weekend. On Saturday, August 30, Jim McBride, a frequent collaborator with Jackson, will participate in a Songwriter Session at 11:30 a.m. Later that day, at 1:00 p.m. families are invited to participate in a guided tour, When Daddy Let Me Drive: The Museum’s Cool Cars, highlighting the classic vehicles on display in the museum’s galleries. Finally, on Sunday, August 31, the museum will screen Alan Jackson: The Greatest Hits Collection (1995).
Further down the road, Alan Jackson will take the stage in the museum’s new 800-seat CMA Theater as its 2014 Artist-in-Residence on October 8 and 22. Both Wednesday night concerts start at 7:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public at NOON (CDT) on Monday, September 8, and can be purchased at countrymusichalloffame.org/artist-in-residence.
There is no charge to view Jackson’s T-Bird in the Curb Conservatory. All programs are included with museum admission and free to museum members.
Among the artifacts featured are:

Monumental Mementos—items from some of Jackson’s milestone music videos, album covers and award show appearances—including the motorcycle from the cover of the album A Lot About Livin’ (and a Little ’Bout Love); water ski from the “Chattahoochee” music video; Hollywood Walk of Fame plaque; Grand Ole Opry member induction trophy and more.

Industry Accolades—ACM Top New Male Vocalist (Jackson’s first award); 1995, 2002, and 2003 CMA Entertainer of the Year; ACM Milestone Award; Grammy for “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)”; CMA plaque celebrating 20 years in country music; 10- and 50-million sales plaques and more.

Country Couture—Jackson’s first Stetson cowboy hat; the jacket Jackson wore when he signed his record deal; jacket from the cover of the album Here in the Real World; overalls worn in “Summertime Blues” music video.

Poet’s Pen—lyrics for “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When,” “First Love,” “Drive,” and “A Woman’s Love.”

Man Cave—personal items from Jackson’s home, including a repurposed Ford truck desk and Schwinn bicycle chairs, taxidermied fish, Houston Rodeo belt buckle display, toy and model car collection, first tricycle, childhood bike and scooter, Mayberry memorabilia from The Andy Griffith Show and more.

Famous Friends—letters, notes and photos from country artists Roy Acuff, Merle Haggard, George Jones and Minnie Pearl.

For more information about the exhibit Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, click here.