Country Music

The new $ 37 million dollar Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum opened with great fanfare and celebration. It was like old home week as country stars from different generations gathered for the festivities. Among those attending: Ricky Skaggs, Charley Pride, Trisha Yearwood, Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, Marty Stuart, Eddy Arnold, Harlan Howard, Martina McBride, George Jones, Brad Paisley, Vestal Goodman and Earl Scruggs. Dozens more of country's biggest names were there, too. Conspicuous absences: Hall of Famers Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Johnny Cash. Dolly Parton, Hank Thompson and Buck Owens. That's a lot of missing Hall of Famers for such a monumental event - a majority of the living members, in fact. Loretta Lynn or Chet Atkins were not seen either. Sadly, since then, Chet has passed away The Hall of Fame and Museum is fantastic. The $ 14.95 admission is a wallop for families, but it's still great value per person. You'll need a couple of days to really absorb the information and fully experience the exhibits next time you're in the music business city Nashville.