These Artists Will Be Spotlighted For 'Significant Developments' In Country

By Kelly Fisher

Photo: Getty Images

Luke Combs, HARDY, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Elvis Presley, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and many, many more will be featured in the annual American Currents: State of the Music exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Country Music Hall of Fame explained, with its announcement on Tuesday (January 24), that American Currents — which features a range of artists, musicians, songwriters and institutions — “takes a broad view of the genre over the past year [2022] to explore musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events, as determined by the Museum’s curators and editorial staff.”

“Each year through the American Currents exhibit, the museum documents and reports on the music and events that helped shape the previous year, examining a wide scope of contributions,” Kyle Young, chief executive officer of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “Last year, we witnessed innovative collaborations, varied musical perspectives and well-deserved honors for emerging artists and established luminaries. American Currents allows us to highlight these moments and artists, sharing their significance in country music history.”

The exhibit will feature Luke Combs, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Rhiannon Giddens, Ashley Gorley, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Wynonna Judd, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Scotty McCreery, Reba McEntire, Amanda Shires, Billy Strings, Sunny Sweeney, Molly Tuttle, Shania Twain, Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson. One section of the exhibit, the “Unbroken Circle,” will feature several influential pairings: Black Opry and the Black Country Music Association, Jordan Davis and Bob McDill, Miko Marks and Loretta Lynn and Morgan Wade and Elvis Presley.

The Country Music Hall of Fame will host Songwriter Sessions with Marks and Sweeney on March 11, in support of the opening of the American Currents exhibit. Last year, some of the artists in the exhibit included Jimmie Allen, Brandi Carlile, Mickey Guyton, Walker Hayes, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton and more. Artists returning to the exhibit for another year include Combs, Wilson and others. The exhibit featured tons information and memorabilia for museum goers to see.

American Currents: State of the Music is set to open on March 8, and will run until February 2024. Here are some of the artifacts you can see (info courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum):

  • 1 of 10

    "Sunny Sweeney has used this customized Gibson J-45 Historic Collection acoustic guitar to write songs, record and perform. The instrument is adorned with rhinestones and the signatures of many of her favorite artists, including Jessi Colter, Rodney Crowell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Wanda Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart and Tanya Tucker. Courtesy of Sunny Sweeney"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 2 of 10

    "Scotty McCreery wore these Lucchese boots at many appearances in 2022, including in the music video for his Top Ten country hit “Damn Strait.” The NCS varsity letter patches on the boot shafts represent his alma mater, North Carolina State University, while his initials, SCM (Scott Cooke McCreery), are embroidered on the pull straps. Courtesy of Scotty McCreery"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 3 of 10

    "Sierra Ferrell wore these custom-made sunglasses with rhinestone-studded frames when she was on tour in the UK and Europe in 2022. Courtesy of Sierra Ferrell"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 4 of 10

    "The Black Country Music Association’s logo adorns this ball cap, made for its members by Frankie Staton in the mid-1990s. Courtesy of Frankie Staton"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 5 of 10

    "These rhinestone-studded silver and gold lapel pins, in the shape of the Black Opry’s initials, were worn by the Black Opry’s founder and co-director, Holly G., and her co-director, Tanner Davenport, respectively, at the collective’s first anniversary celebration at Nashville’s City Winery, April 18, 2022. Courtesy of the Black Opry"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 6 of 10

    "Molly Tuttle wore this crocheted wool sweater, cropped blouse, Miracle Eye jeans and Frye short boots on the cover of her 2022 album, Crooked Tree. Courtesy of Molly Tuttle"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 7 of 10

    "Jerry Lee Atwood at Union Western Clothing Co. designed this suit — embellished with contrasting piping, smile pockets, rhinestones and embroidered flowers and alligators — for Charley Crockett. He wore the suit when he performed at the Palomino Music Festival in Pasadena, California, July 9, 2022. Courtesy of Charley Crockett"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 8 of 10

    "Miranda Lambert wore this Dulce Bestia jumpsuit, customized by Fables by Barrie, when she appeared on CBS-TV’s New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, December 31, 2021. Courtesy of Miranda Lambert"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 9 of 10

    "When Reba McEntire performed a tribute to Loretta Lynn at the CMA Awards in 2022, she wore a Sandi Spika-designed ensemble that included this beaded-and-sequined jacket. McEntire first wore the outfit during her “Starting Over Tour” in 1995. Courtesy of Reba McEntire"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

  • 10 of 10

    "Lainey Wilson has played this Gibson SJ-200 acoustic guitar extensively at her shows. Courtesy of Lainey Wilson"Photo: Bob Delevante for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content