Alan Jackson at the 2001 CMA Awards. Photo: John Russell/CMA
The guitar played by Alan Jackson during his first performance of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” is now on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Jackson is the sole country artist featured in the exhibit, titled Louder Than Music: Rock, Power & Politics. His handwritten lyrics to the song are also a part of the exhibit, which will run through Nov. 27. After that the exhibit will be moved to the Newseum in Washington, D.C., to be displayed one week before the Presidential inauguration.
Jackson’s guitar, a model by Jim Triggs, is featured alongside artifacts and items from more than 50 artists, including Beyoncé, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, Bono, Keith Richards, John Lennon, Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Wonder.
The song made its public debut at the 2001 CMA Awards, shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It went on to win ACM, CMA and Grammy Awards and has remained a part of Jackson’s set list.
