Bobby Karl Works The Room: The Opening Of CMHoF’s Kacey Musgraves: All Of The Colors

A fabulous artist deserves a fabulous museum exhibit and a fabulous party in her honor at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Multiple Grammy honoree Kacey Musgraves was in the spotlight on Monday (July 1) at the Hall. She is the subject of an extensive overview of her young career titled “Kacey Musgraves: All of the Colors.”

“There’s a lot to be celebrated and a lot to be remembered,” Kacey said, with tears brimming in her eyes. Seeing her life’s mementos in the hallowed Hall moved her immensely.

We began the eve with a cocktail supper. Guests schmoozed and noshed on delish mini spring rolls, mushroom caps stuffed with herbed cream cheese, roast beef sandwiches, pork dumplings, roasted veggies and more. Then the program began.

“I’m pleased and proud to welcome you to the opening of our new exhibit,” said HoF CEO Kyle Young. “Artistry doesn’t recognize format,” he added, referring to Kacey’s genre-leaping music. “And yet, each of the plaques in the Hall of Fame represents artistry and not replication…..which bring us to Kacey Musgraves.”

“This is crazy, this is absolutely insane,” responded Kacey. “I admit that when the Country Music Hall of Fame approached me about this, I went, ‘Whatever….’ But I feel unworthy. They assured me that it was the right moment [for this].

“I’m very proud of my story and where I am right now…..To see everything laid out is a really healthy and beautiful thing for me. There are a lot of really happy memories that I am really happy to share.”

Normally the picture of cool, calm and collected, Kacey became verklempt several times during her remarks. She then shared with us the story that the one artifact the museum turned down was a joint she’d saved that Willie Nelson had given her.

Kacey was quick to credit her family for much of what was on exhibit. Seated at a stage-front table were her grandmother, whom Kacey said was her first booking agent; her mom, who saved everything; and her grandfather, whose record collection was her inspiration.

She thanked the Hall of Fame’s staff, who were, “so patient with me with all the details.” Her thanks also extended to, “The Nashville community – I’ve learned so much from all of my friends, all of my songwriter friends. I love all of you here.”

That would include such A-Listers as star-to-be Mickey Guyton, plus Scott Borchetta, Royce Risser, Susan Stewart, Leslie Fram, Jason Owen, Joanna Carter, the Frist museum’s Susan Edwards, Jerry Douglas, Jon Freeman, Hunter Kelly, Bob Delevante, Seab Tuck, the Nashville Public Library’s Kent Oliver, Lisa Sutton, Donna Hughes, Bill Denny, Barry Mazor, ace drummer Fred Eltringham, Karen Hayes of Parnassus Books, Ben Vaughn, Charlie Monk, Phil Ryan & Meredith Libby, Lori Ann Mauney of Servis 1st Bank, Jim Sherradin, Earle Simmons, Marion Williams and Nancy Kruh.

The exhibit is one of the museum’s most visually delightful in recent memory. While making her mark as a brilliant singer-songwriter, Kacey has also turned heads with her imaginative stage wear.

The long, sweeping, glass-cases promenade begins with childhood-performer memorabilia and carries Kacey’s career through the CDs Same Trailer, Different Park; Pageant Material and Golden Hour. All these changes are illustrated by brilliantly inventive costumes. Including, by the way, a “rhinestone cowgirl” jacket with flashing pin lights and light-up boots to match.