New Alan L. Mayor Photo Retrospective On Display At The Bobby Hotel

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The works of the late, legendary country photojournalist Alan L. Mayor are being presented in a one-of-a-kind exhibit crafted by the Bobby Hotel team, the Americana Music Association, MTSU’s Center for Popular Music and the Alan L. Mayor Estate at the Bobby Nashville.

The exhibition’s opening shot, Dolly Parton at the 1989 CMA Awards. Photo: Alan L. Mayor

Mayor’s extensive archive includes images of iconic country artists reflected through the decades of the country music industry. The exhibit, “The Collection: Alan L. Mayor: A Nashville Retrospective 1974-1999,” went on display Sept. 6 and will remain open through Jan. 6, 2024. The public exhibit is located within the common areas of Bobby Nashville, including the lobby, the Union Tavern Bar and restaurant, as well as the second floor. There is no admission fee.

From the 1970s, Mayor established himself on Music Row as the go-to photojournalist of the Nashville music industry, capturing the personal lives and careers of many Nashville artists before his passing in 2015. Over 60 of his photos are on display, and the exclusive retrospective takes viewers back to a time during country’s evolution as young talents were emerging.

Mayor’s lens captured the wild energy of the outlaw movement, the rise of artists such as Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, and countless other candid moments. Many of the images reflect iconic moments on stage, from Porter Wagoner’s bedazzled suits to a duet with Tammy Wynette and George Jones, while other photos capture more intimate moments behind the scenes such as Ricky Skaggs and wife Sharon White in the crowd at the Station Inn.

Mayor published a collection of photos, The Nashville Family Album, a Country Music Scrapbook during his career. His clients included The Tennessean, Nashville Banner, Billboard, MusicRow Magazine and many more.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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