Hall of Fame Sets All-Time Attendance Record, Offers Free Day
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum set an all-time attendance record in 2011, museum officials announced today. The 2011 attendance total of 507,510 people is the largest in the institution’s 44-year history.
“We would like to thank our local, national and international visitors for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Our attendance revenue last year increased nearly 30% over 2010, and our Museum Store and events revenues were up by 18% and 23%, respectively, over the prior year, as well. In today’s challenging economic climate, we don’t take this for granted.
“We attribute the strong year to multiple factors,” Young continued. “It was the final year of our major exhibition Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Presented by SunTrust, the most popular and acclaimed exhibit in our history. And it was a very good year for Nashville tourism in general. There’s really a fantastic synergy happening with the city right now. Music City is centrally located, a manageable drive from many parts of the U.S., and a great value. And, it’s an exciting city, alive with music and boasting an array of cultural offerings found nowhere else. We’re proud to be one of those ‘can’t-miss’ Nashville experiences.”
In more news from The Hall, the not-for-profit educational organization is pleased to partner with Ford Motor Company Fund for the fifth consecutive year to offer free museum admission on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. That day there will be a Songwriter Session with Erin Enderlin and Jim “Moose” Brown, a concert by Hunter Hayes, a demonstration by Hatch Show Print staff, a Musical Petting Zoo for kids, and “Live from the Museum Store, Presented by CMT” autograph signings with the Oak Ridge Boys and Hayes. Click here for details.
