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Thanks to a new exhibit in town, music lovers can now create a hit songand (sort of) win a Grammy for doing it.
The 'Grammy Gallery” exhibit debuted at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum this past spring, and the interactive, permanent display transformed 9,000 square feet of the museum into a visual and interactive experience that literally walks visitors through the creative process of recording a song.
Guests start by learning how the iconic gold phonograph statue is made before trying their hands at songwriting, producing, and engineering. They eventually make their way toward singing, rapping, or playing instruments in the exhibit.
At the Roland Live stage, guests can jam out in peace with headphoned guitars, drums, piano, or even a keytar. Further along, they can jump in as one of Ray Charles' backup singers, The Raelettes, before heading into the recording studio to sing Garth Brooks' 'Friends in Low Places.” There's also an in-depth timeline of the history of the Grammys.
Joe Chambers, founder of Musicians Hall of Fame, says that, while the exhibit is intended to be kid-friendly, the children-centered approach has also helped make the museum universally appealling.
'We thought it was going to be really geared toward young people,” Chambers says. '[But we] found out it doesn't matter what age you are. They get back there if they're 70 and go nuts and have a good time playing drums and learning.”
The exhibit found its home at the Musicians Hall of Fame after the Grammy Awards decided to pair the history of the awards show with the musical history in the museum and the city. 'It just makes sense for the Grammys to be in Nashville. It's just kind of a no-brainer, really,” Chambers says.
Now, the Musicians Hall of Fame is working to fill out its remaining space with the Mike Curb Gallery, which will include the full-size trailer in which Willie Nelson recorded 'Stardust,” as well as a large collection from the original Johnny Cash museum.
401 Gay St., 615-244-3263; musicianshalloffame.com