BCM Facility

The Birthplace of Country Music® is about music — music that is a unique and pure form of American expression; music that is an extension of the culture and traditions of the southern Appalachian region ofthe United States. Clearly, the exhibits will trace the history, cultural influences, and development of country music. Yet the primary focus of the Birthplace will be the music, which will resonate throughout the museum. A sequence of audio-visual experiences will allow visitors the opportunity to listen to the melodies and encounter the rich musical tradition first hand.

In anticipation of over 75,000 visitors a year, the exhibits will appeal to local residents, country music enthusiasts from around the world,and the uninitiated who come to visit the region, all of which comprise a broad range of ages and levels of knowledge. The permanent and temporary exhibits will expand the Alliance’s presence and educational initiatives through educational programming for all ages, live musical performances, lecture and film series, and other outreach activities.The major interpretative theme will underscore why the region historically has been and continues to be a fertile breeding ground for traditional Appalachian music, including Old-Time String Band,Folk, Bluegrass, Americana, Gospel, Piedmont Blues, Country, and other musical genres. In explaining why the music of this region has continued to thrive over the years, the interpretive exhibits will address other aspects of the region’s cultural heritage, including family, religion, folk and traditional arts, work and occupation, the role of technology, and the diversity of the region. Viewed as a whole, the exhibits will illustrate how the area’s musical heritage is intertwined with the region’s- and the nation’s — cultural heritage and how the music has contributed significantly to the broader cultural landscape.