Full Description
A dazzling visual history of country music, told through its most iconic artifacts and images. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has been called the “Smithsonian of country music.” Its 350,000-square-foot Nashville headquarters hold more than 500 historic instruments, 1,900 stage costumes, 300,000 records, 500,000 photographs, a historic letterpress poster printing shop still in operation, and even complete automobiles driven by country stars. Now, in this spectacular book, CMHOF uses its incomparable collection to tell the story of America's music as never before, from its precommercial roots to the present day. Alongside a lively narrative by the museum's expert staff, vibrant photographs bring readers up close to the music's most important artifacts. Here are DeFord Bailey's Hohner Marine Band harmonica and Maybelle Carter's arch-top Gibson; Gene Autry's cowboy boots and Minnie Pearl's straw hat; Hank Williams's and Dolly Parton's handwritten lyrics; Willie Nelson's bandanna and Shania Twain's Ultrasuede stage costume; Jelly Roll's denim jacket and Carrie Underwood's sumptuous ball gown. Together with these precious relics appear a generous selection of rare posters, publicity photos, and behind-the-scenes snapshots that bring the personalities of country to life. Special features include biographies of all the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a curated playlist for every era of country. This keepsake volume-published in an oversize square format recalling an album sleeve-commemorates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's downtown Nashville location. It will be treasured by country fans worldwide. AUTHOR: Paul Kingsbury is senior director of editorial and interpretation at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He is the author or coauthor of eleven books, including The Grand Ole Opry History of Country Music, and the editor of six multiauthor volumes, including CMHOF's Encyclopedia of Country Music. Kingsbury was also a consultant for the Ken Burns documentary series Country Music. SELLING POINTS: . The most spectacular visual history of country music ever published . Illustrated with new photography of the incomparable collection of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum . These amazing artifacts include instruments, costumes, rare vinyl, handwritten lyrics, posters, candid photos, even custom cars. . A lively narrative traces country music from its precommercial roots to the present day. . Special features include biographies of all members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and curated playlists for every era of country . Published in an oversize square format-the size of a vinyl record sleeve
