CMHoF To ‘Deck The Hall’ with New Holiday Tradition

Pictured (L-R): Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee, Gene Watson

The Country Music Hall of Fame will launch a new holiday tradition that combines music, art, education, and, of course, Santa Claus.

The museum’s festivities officially kick off in grand style on Friday, November 28, when Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee lights the thirty-foot-tall Christmas tree in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. Little Miss Dynamite will treat fans to her classic from 1958, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” during a short performance preceding the tree lighting.

As previously announced, there will be two Deck the Hall concerts in the museum’s elegant CMA Theater. New Country Music Hall of Fame member Ronnie Milsap and country star Gene Watson will perform on November 29 and December 6, respectively. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. More information is available at cmatheater.com

Throughout the holiday season, the museum will offer many free-to-the-public activities. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos with children of all ages on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry, a puppet show partnership between the Nashville Public Library and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, returns to the museum for a two-day run November 29 and 30. On Dec. 7 and 21, Hatch Show Print staff will offer one of their most popular family programs, Make Letterpress Art with Hatch Show Print. Young people, ages five and up, will design their own holiday cards or prints using wood blocks from the Hatch archive. Local school choirs will regale guests in the museum’s Curb Conservatory lobby.

See below for a full list of holiday programs at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Friday, November 28

Tree Lighting Ceremony-4:00 p.m.
The museum’s holiday festivities will officially kick off on Friday, November 28, with the lighting of the museum’s Christmas tree by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, who will perform several songs including her classic 1958 hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” FREE hot cider and hot chocolate will be available and this event is open to the public. Following the event, Lee will sign select merchandise purchased from the museum. FREE

Saturday, November 29

Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance). FREE

String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry-10:00 & 11:30 a.m.
Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry and an ever-changing set are used to tell country music history as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. Experience this exciting true story through more than fifty puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Taylor Swift. This original program was created by Wishing Chair Productions, the resident puppet theater company at Nashville Public Library, in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Made possible by Judy and Steve Turner and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Limited seating. Children and up to two accompanying adults may also tour the museum at a discounted rate.  FREE

Deck the Hall Concert: Ronnie Milsap in CMA Theater-8:00 p.m.
With 35 #1 Billboard hits and millions of albums sold, Ronnie Milsap remains one of country music’s most beloved crossover artists. Just a month after his Country Music Hall of Fame induction, Milsap will celebrate the season with this performance, part of the museum’s annual Deck the Hall festivities, in the brand new CMA Theater. Tickets ranging from $35-$55 are available at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/702941-ronnie-milsap-nashville/

Sunday, November 30

Puppet Making-Noon-2:00 p.m.
Puppets are great tools for telling a story. In the show String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry, puppets convey the history of country music from the early stringband tradition of artists like Dr. Humphrey Bate & the Possum Hunters to today’s modern amplified sound by the likes of Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift. Discover and create different types of simple puppets to tell a story that is important to you. Ages 5 and up with accompanying adults. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Family Program: String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry-2pm
An inclusive performance presented in partnership with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry, and an ever-changing set are used to tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. Experience this exciting true story through more than fifty puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Taylor Swift. This original program was created by Wishing Chair Productions, the resident puppet theater company at Nashville Public Library, in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. TRIAD has developed evidence-based supports for children with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities that will be made available for audience members. Made possible by Judy and Steve Turner and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Limited seating. Participating children and up to two accompanying adults may also tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Monday, December 1

Station Camp High School Performance -10:00 a.m.
High school students from Station Camp High School, Gallatin, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE

Wednesday, December 3

J. E. Woodard Elementary School Performance-10:00 a.m.
Fourth grade students from J.E. Woodard Elementary School, Columbia, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE

Friday, December 5

Coffee, Country, Cody & Christmas – 7:00 a.m.
Enjoy this annual live broadcast hosted by WSM-AM (650)’s Bill Cody featuring live holiday performances by Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and the Roys. Takes place in the Curb Conservatory. Tickets, priced at $6.50, are available online at http://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/event/wsm-ams-coffee-country-cody-and-christmas, or at the door, day of show. Ticket price includes a buffet breakfast courtesy of Starbucks, Two Twenty-Two Grill and Williams Country Sausage.

Saturday, December 6

Photos with Santa- 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE

Ornamental Instruments-12:30 p.m.
Learn about special instruments in our collection and find out how they were personalized for the musicians who played them. After a brief conversation in our studio and a mini-tour in the galleries, kids will customize their own small wooden instrument or large paper cut-out. The little creations make perfect holiday ornaments or can be displayed year round. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

First Saturday Downtown Nashville Art Crawl-6:00-9:00 p.m.
The museum’s community corridor currently features an exhibit by the Arts Company, Introducing the World of Daryl Thetford. Hatch Show Print’s Haley Gallery will debut “Moonlightin’,” an exhibit that will feature artwork by Hatch Show Print artists and printmakers while “off the clock.” Presented as part of the Nashville Downtown Partnership’s First Saturday Art Crawl.  FREE

Deck the Hall Concert: Gene Watson in CMA Theater-8:00 p.m.
Considered one of the finest pure-country singers of his generation, Gene Watson offers up one of the best traditional country shows in the business. Watson will share some songs of the season with this performance, part of the museum’s annual Deck the Hall festivities, in the brand new CMA Theater. Tickets ranging from $30-$40 are available at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/702937-gene-watson-nashville/ .

Jimmy Wayne Songwriter Session and Book Signing-11:30 a.m.
Jimmy Wayne wrote his hit singles “Stay Gone,” “I Love You This Much” and “Paper Angels.” His writing credits also include “Put Your Hand in Mine,” recorded by Tracy Byrd, and he has published two books, the novella Paper Angels, inspired by the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, and his latest, Walk to Beautiful, a New York Times best-selling memoir about his childhood in the foster care system. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Limited seating. Program pass required. Following the program, Wayne will sign copies of his books (purchased from the museum store only).

Sunday, December 7

Family Program: Make Letterpress Holiday Prints-Noon, 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
with Hatch Show Print
Kids get hands-on experience with letterpress in this unique workshop at Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the United States. Participants learn about letterpress printing from Hatch staff, then create their very own poster or holiday card using carved wood, linoleum and metal block images from the Hatch collection. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Takes place in Hatch Space for Design. Limited seating.  FREE

Country Cookie Decorating-Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Film Screening: A Crystal Christmas in Sweden (1987)-2:00 p.m.
Sweden is the backdrop for this Crystal Gayle holiday special featuring guest performances by Michael Damian, John Davidson and David Hasselhoff. In addition to renditions of the classic carols “O Holy Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Silver Bells” and others, Gayle explores Swedish holiday traditions in the snow-covered villages of Kalmar and Orrefors. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Friday, December 12

Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.

Saturday, December 13

Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE

Family Concert: Farmer Jason celebrates Christmas on the Farm-10:00 a.m.
Join us for holiday songs and lots of laughs as Farmer Jason celebrates the release of Christmas on the Farm. Farmer Jason is dedicated to educating and entertaining children about animals, farm life and the wonders of nature. Farmer Jason will present modern twists to classic carols and new holiday tunes, all in his original style that combines folk, country, and rock & roll. Meet Farmer Jason in the Museum Store after the show, where he will sign copies of his CDs. Takes place in the Ford Theater. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate. Limited seating.

Ornamental Instruments- 12:30 p.m.
Learn about special instruments in our collection and find out how they were personalized for the musicians who played them. After a brief conversation in our studio and a mini-tour in the galleries, kids will customize their own small wooden instrument or large paper cut-out. The little creations make perfect holiday ornaments or can be displayed year round. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.

Sunday, December 14

Country Cookie Decorating- Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song, or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Film Screening: Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember-2:00 p.m.
This CBS Christmas special was based on the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton double-platinum duet album Once Upon a Christmas. Though rerun on television for years, it was never released on video. Includes the songs “A Christmas to Remember,” “Christmas Without You,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride,” and more. 45 minutes. Presented in support of the exhibit Kenny Rogers: Through the Years. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe,” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.

Monday, December 15

Hull-Jackson Montessori Elementary School Performance-10:00 a. m.
The lower school choir and string ensemble from Hull-Jackson Montessori Elementary School, Nashville, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE

Tuesday, December 16
Paragon Mills Elementary Performance-10:30 a.m.
Lower school students from Paragon Mills Elementary School, Nashville, Tennessee, will perform holiday favorites for museum guests in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE

Thursday, December 18

Allen County Primary Center Performance- 11:00 a.m
Third grade students from Allen County Primary Center, Scottsville, Kentucky, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE

Friday, December 19

East Cheatham Elementary Performance-1:00 p.m.
Third grade students from East Cheatham Elementary, Ashland City, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE

Saturday, December 20

Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE

Family Program: Song and Story Time-10:30 a.m.
Little listeners hear a story and create art inspired by the music, artists and objects featured in the museum’s galleries. This month’s program will explore family traditions during times of celebration—like the upcoming holidays! Come ready for fun. Ages 3 to 5 with accompanying adults. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Family Program: Guitar 101-12:30 p.m.
Learn a few guitar chords and some simple festive songs that celebrate the season. Touring musician and teacher Todd Woolsey lead this introductory, hands-on workshop. He has been a professional guitarist for twenty-five years and has played with Joe Nichols, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, and Lee Ann Womack. Guitars provided.  Ages 7 to 18.  Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.

Sunday, December 21

Family Program: Make Letterpress Holiday Prints with Hatch Show Print-Noon, 1:00, and 2:00 p.m.
Kids get hands-on experience with letterpress in this unique workshop at Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the United States. Participants learn about letterpress printing from Hatch staff, then create their very own poster or holiday card using carved wood, linoleum and metal block images from the Hatch collection. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Takes place in Hatch Space for Design. Limited seating. FREE

Country Cookie Decorating-Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Film Screening:

Kenny Rogers Christmas Special: Keep Christmas with You-2:00 p.m.
Go behind the scenes of Kenny Rogers’s 1992 Christmas show in Branson, Missouri. The Country Music Hall of Fame member performs the classic carols “Silent Night,” “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night.” Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and R&B group Boyz II Men also perform. 45 minutes. Presented in support of the exhibit Kenny Rogers: Through the Years. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

Thursday, December 25
Museum, Studio B, and Hatch Show Print are CLOSED