Pictured (L-R): Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Carolyn Tate, Singer-songwriter Brad Paisley and Bill Simmons of The Fitzgerald Hartley Company. Photo: by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Celebrated three-time Grammy winner Brad Paisley visited the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Nov. 19 to see his exhibition Brad Paisley: Diary of a Player on display for the first time. Joined by his wife Kimberly Williams Paisley, his two sons Huck and Jasper Paisley and his parents Doug and Sandy Paisley, the family walked through the exhibit together, recounting memories of the singer-songwriter’s life and career.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young chronicled Paisley’s early career, and highlighted pieces featured in the exhibit, including Paisley’s first axe, a Sears Silvertone guitar given to him as a Christmas present from his grandfather Warren Jarvis. The collection also includes several awards from throughout Paisley’s career, as well as many of the ace guitar player’s trusty instruments.
Paisley displayed his trademark wit in his opening remarks. “I was like, ‘Who is this Brad Paisley guy? When did he die?’ That was what it felt like looking at the exhibit for the first time. It was like, ‘Well, we’re gonna miss him.’ It’s really weird to see things that should’ve meant nothing to anyone seem important when they are put behind glass in the greatest music museum in the world.”
The singer-songwriter reflected in his early touring requirements as a young performer traveling through his homestate of West Virginia and surrounding states. One blue case could carry all of it. “A cable, a cowboy hat, a couple of guitar pedals and probably some chewing gum,” he quipped. “And it’s crazy when you look back and you see these things. I remember the dreams associated with each little one of these items.”
He noted that one of the biggest benefits in his career has been the chance to not only meet, but to collaborate with, some of his biggest musical heroes, a country music tradition he hopes continues with future generations.
“I hope that some kid walks through this display and thinks to themselves, ‘I can do that,’ and not only that but, ‘Someday, I’m gonna take that guy and I’m gonna dress him in funny clothes and make him do a bit on the CMA Awards or something.’ That’s the thing about this crazy town and the chance to be part of it. Country music is unique to every other kind of music and the family nature of it.”
The career-spanning exhibition opens to the public Friday, Nov. 19 and runs through May 14, 2017.
Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
Brad Paisley at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on November 17, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images
About the Author
Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.View Author Profile
