New Exhibits Unveiled at Willie Nelson & Friends Museum
Expansion includes recent Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Rogers, Lefty Frizzell,
Dottie West, Frizzell & West and more on display at Nashville museum
Time
does indeed slip away, but memories live on at Nashville’s Willie
Nelson & Friends Museum which is not only brimming with personal
items and memorabilia from some of the genre’s most iconic stars. It
also touts the largest country music gift shop in town. Proprietors, Kay
and Mark Hughes oversee the store and museum which
includes artifacts from Willie’s life and career, (many items purchased
at the auction to satisfy the IRS in the early 1990’s), as well as
exhibits honoring country music and Grand Ole Opry legends like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard and more.
does indeed slip away, but memories live on at Nashville’s Willie
Nelson & Friends Museum which is not only brimming with personal
items and memorabilia from some of the genre’s most iconic stars. It
also touts the largest country music gift shop in town. Proprietors, Kay
and Mark Hughes oversee the store and museum which
includes artifacts from Willie’s life and career, (many items purchased
at the auction to satisfy the IRS in the early 1990’s), as well as
exhibits honoring country music and Grand Ole Opry legends like Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Merle Haggard and more.
Never-before
published photos of many Country Music legends are on display, as well
as priceless treasures like the guitar Willie played during his first
appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. And where else can you see a Braille
version of Playboy Magazine? A special gift to Ronnie Milsap, the manuscript is perhaps definitive proof that Playboy’s appeal is the articles!
published photos of many Country Music legends are on display, as well
as priceless treasures like the guitar Willie played during his first
appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. And where else can you see a Braille
version of Playboy Magazine? A special gift to Ronnie Milsap, the manuscript is perhaps definitive proof that Playboy’s appeal is the articles!
With
a recent expansion, the museum has added more artist displays, personal
items and memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and roots of
country music.
a recent expansion, the museum has added more artist displays, personal
items and memorabilia dedicated to preserving the history and roots of
country music.
Recently named among the latest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kenny Rogers
is honored in a new display alongside the late Dottie West. Spectacular
costumes belonging to Dottie have been added along with memorabilia and
personal items from Dottie’s career with duet partner, Rogers. Their
albums, Every Time Two Fools Collide and the later Classics made Kenny and Dottie among the most celebrated duet acts every seen in Country Music.
is honored in a new display alongside the late Dottie West. Spectacular
costumes belonging to Dottie have been added along with memorabilia and
personal items from Dottie’s career with duet partner, Rogers. Their
albums, Every Time Two Fools Collide and the later Classics made Kenny and Dottie among the most celebrated duet acts every seen in Country Music.
The latest exhibits include a very special showcase with photos, a signature guitar and a suit owned by Lefty Frizzell; a suit, in fact, that the legendary singer once loaned to a young George Jones.
The museum store carries the book, “I Love you A Thousand Ways: The
Lefty Frizzell Story” which was lovingly penned by Lefty’s brother,
David, an iconic star in his own right. Lefty’s unique style has
influenced generations of singers.
The museum store carries the book, “I Love you A Thousand Ways: The
Lefty Frizzell Story” which was lovingly penned by Lefty’s brother,
David, an iconic star in his own right. Lefty’s unique style has
influenced generations of singers.
David Frizzell is honored in a separate display, alongside longtime duet partner, Shelly West.
The duo’s stage clothes, albums and other memorabilia are included.
Frizzell & West remains one of the most-awarded acts in
entertainment; one that produced five albums. The duo twice won the
Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award, twice won the
Academy of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year and were
awarded the ACM Song of the Year award. They also received three Music
City News Awards. Frizzell has maintained a vibrant solo career to this
day. He scored a huge chart-topping hit with “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To
Decorate Our Home,” featured on CMT’s 40 Greatest Drinking Songs in
Country Music.
The duo’s stage clothes, albums and other memorabilia are included.
Frizzell & West remains one of the most-awarded acts in
entertainment; one that produced five albums. The duo twice won the
Country Music Association’s Vocal Duo of the Year award, twice won the
Academy of Country Music award for Vocal Duet of the Year and were
awarded the ACM Song of the Year award. They also received three Music
City News Awards. Frizzell has maintained a vibrant solo career to this
day. He scored a huge chart-topping hit with “I’m Gonna Hire A Wino To
Decorate Our Home,” featured on CMT’s 40 Greatest Drinking Songs in
Country Music.
The Willie Nelson & Friends Museum is open daily. For more information, visit www.WillieNelsonGeneralStore.
Pictured: Mark Hughes, David Frizzell, Kay Hughes
Photo Credit: Gordy Collins