Caylee Hammack. Photo: Kirsten Balani
Capitol Records Nashville recording artist and ACM Award winner Caylee Hammack released her critically acclaimed debut album If It Wasn’t For You in 2o20. After years of touring, connecting with fans and being part of some incredible collaborations, she is ready to pull back the curtain on her new era of music, starting with the release of her new single “The Hill,” out today (June 14).
Hammack recently took some time to speak to MusicRow about her new music.
When she first moved to town in 2013, Hammack immediately got her boots on the ground and started playing in bars all up and down broadway. After two and half years of playing the bars and getting in as many writes as she could, she landed a publishing deal with UMPG Nashville.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in Hammack’s life when she lost her home in electrical fire while at a writer’s retreat. Despite her hard times, the singer-songwriter found her support system here in town, and it showed her what she truly needed in her life.
While her personal life was down, she found that her professional life was going up through that support. At the time, Hammack was starting to hammer down on finding songs for her debut album. She enlisted friend and producer Mikey Reaves for song sampling, and a few of those demos are what you hear on the record today, such as “Family Tree.”
After signing her record deal in 2018, Hammack was off to the races on radio tours to begin introducing herself to industry gatekeepers. She released her debut album in August of 2020, and recalls how hard it was not being able to see fans reacting to songs out on the road, as being able to see music connect is vital to her.
“There’s just a tangible magic, connection and unity that I have with complete strangers [at shows]. That is one of the most beautiful things that music does. It’s a conduit for people and it connects us all,” she says.
“We have so many differing opinions, but for some reason, when that one song plays, people will drunkenly put their arms around each other’s shoulders and sing along together. For those three minutes, we agree on something and we’re happy together,” Hammack explains. “During that time, I realized in an ever deeper level what I already knew—that it is magic the way music is able to draw people in.”
Since live shows have come back, Hammack has been sharing her music with the world non-stop, opening up for Brothers Osborne, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and more. She also embarked on a co-headline tour in the UK with Tenille Arts, and has played CMA Fest, The Long Road Festival, Watershed Festival and more.
“I truly cried after the first gig back [from COVID]. There’s something about when you look out into a crowd. Someone once told me every single show that you play is most likely one person’s first-ever show and one person’s last-ever show, so you better play it that way. That’s how I’ve always viewed it.”
That’s why heading into this new album, Hammack is excited to take on a whole new approach by seeing real-time reactions.
“I feel like I’m getting to do [the album cycle for the first time] all over again. I’m working on these songs and am on the road at the same time,” she says. “We’re releasing stuff, getting to tour, getting to do the TV shows and everything versus just spending eight or nine hours a day on Zoom doing interviews, Instagram lives and DM-ing people and then laying in bed going, ‘I hope they like it.'”
Gearing up for the project, Hammack zeroed in on her sound and artistry.
“This next record is much more organically influenced and infused with more acoustic energy like the music I was raised on. On the first album, we did a lot of sampling and such because we were working with demo budgets. That album came out exactly how it should, but I remember listening back and it felt poppy for me. It doesn’t sound the way my heart sounds when I sing these new songs.”
Hammack enlisted trusted producers Dann Huff and John Osborne to co-produce her next album with. By letting her creativity flow with no limits and learning from Huff and Osborne, she’s confident that it will truly show who she is as an artist.
“I was able to truly fall into the bells and whistles, the little pad parts, the ways of layering things and certain effects that I love dearly. I had so much more freedom. I got to step back and truly be the artist.”
Hammack is a co-writer on all but one of the album’s songs, but feels her first outside cut was truly made for her. Her friend and fellow songwriter Mia Mantia played her a track she was working on that was a spin off of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” This version was from the woman’s point of view, saying, “don’t let your babies grow up to love cowboys.”
The song struck a chord with Hammack, as it reminded her of a family member Matthew Rue, who had just passed away from complications with MS. Rue was a huge musical influence for Hammack, as he was her only musical family member.
“I heard it and thought of Matthew and the old country music that he loved. I got these goosebumps all over my body,” Hammack recalls. “I just felt like God was telling me that I needed to cut the song. It just was so serendipitous the way it happened and the way my body reacted.”
Lyrically, Hammack is sharing some of her favorite stories from her catalog, some tracks even dating back to 2018. She wants to share the vulnerable part of herself, hoping to cultivate connection to the fans.
“What I’ve learned is the songs that are the most vulnerable—the ones about the grittiest and saddest parts of my life—have been the ones that most people have connected to,” she shares. “When I realized that they connected to the vulnerable parts of me that I tried to hide, it gave me this new revival of hope.”
To start off the new era, Hammack released her new single “The Hill” today (June 14). Written with Tenille Townes and Logan Wall, the single kicks off the album’s vulnerability.
“‘The Hill’ is a white flag being waved by a broken arm in the middle of a battle. There is no point in fighting. If you win this argument, you might just lose the other person, so winning this argument is not worth it at all if you lose them.”
More of Hammack’s new music is on the way.
Canaan Smith Signs With HAYLO Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): HAYLO Music’s Josh Saxe, Canaan Smith and Tyler Hubbard. Photo: Evan Mattingly
Singer-songwriter Canaan Smith has signed an exclusive co-publishing deal with Tyler Hubbard‘s HAYLO Music, which will be administered by Endurance Music Group (EMG).
The Williamsburg, Virginia native has enjoyed success as an artist with Platinum single “Love You Like That.” He has also had cuts with Hubbard, Cody Johnson, Jason Aldean, Hixtape featuring Morgan Wallen and Hardy, along with Cole Swindell. Additionally, Smith co-wrote Hubbard’s newest single, “Park,” alongside Hubbard, Ashley Gorley and Jesse Frasure, which goes to radio today (June 17).
“I’m excited and honored to have Canaan on board as HAYLO’s first official writer,” says Hubbard. “I’ve written songs with Canaan longer than just about anybody in this town and I’ve always considered him one of the best. Not only is Canaan an incredible songwriter and creative but also an amazing guy that I highly respect as we build the foundation and culture of HAYLO Music.”
“I feel fortunate to have this opportunity and couldn’t be more excited to join up with Tyler and the team,” shares Smith. “He’s been a career-long believer in the songs I write, and nothin’ fires me up more than knowing HAYLO is in my corner.”
George Strait Sets Record For Largest Single Ticketed Concert In U.S.
/by Liza AndersonGeorge Strait performing on Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Photo: @alivecoverage/Courtesy of Messina Touring Group
George Strait set the record for largest single ticketed concert in U.S. history on Saturday (June 15) at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field with 110,905 fans in attendance for his “George Strait: The King at Kyle Field” show. The concert also now holds the venue’s record for a single event.
A record-setting 110,905 fans in attendance for “George Strait: The King at Kyle Field.” Photo: @alivecoverage/Courtesy of Messina Touring Group
The U.S. record was previously held by The Grateful Dead, who had 107,019 Deadheads in attendance at their 1977 show at Raceway Park in New Jersey. Kyle Field’s record was previously set during a Texas A&M football game against Ole Miss, with 110,633 people present, on Oct. 11, 2014.
Strait was joined by fellow Texans Parker McCollum and Catie Offerman for the milestone evening. After his second song of the night, he greeted the crowd and added, “It’s so good to be here with Catie Offerman and Parker McCollum—let’s have another big round of applause for those two. And happy birthday Parker, my gosh, what a day, what a place to spend your birthday, right?”
Before diving into “Here For A Good Time,” Strait announced, “We got a lot of songs to play for y’all today/tonight. What a beautiful night, too, right? We got some new stuff that we’re gonna do also, we got a new album … out in September called Cowboys And Dreamers, so we got some stuff from that we’re gonna play from that for you also and we got a really special thing we’re gonna do for you, so alright, what are we here for?!”
He continued with “Check Yes or No,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Troubadour,” “Amarillo By Morning” and “Take Me To Texas” as well as with tracks from the new album such as “MIA in MIA,” “Three Drinks Behind,” Waylon Jennings’ “Waymore’s Blues” and the unreleased “To The Moon.” Strait paused midway through the show to give the floor to retired Lieutenant General Leroy Sisco, presenting his 118th home to hero, Sargent Tiffany Baker, via Military Warriors Support Foundation’s Homes 4 Wounded Heroes Program.
Additionally, Strait has signed and donated “the shirt off his back” through an ongoing front-row ticket raffle fundraiser benefitting the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation, powered by Propeller, at each of the last 17 shows. To date, the program has raised more than $1.1 million for the foundation. He plans to visit Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City next Saturday (June 29).
BREAKING: Scooter Braun Retires From Artist Management
/by Liza AndersonScooter Braun. Photo: Bradford Rogne
After more than two decades, Scooter Braun is retiring from artist management. The industry veteran shared the news via social media this morning (June 17).
“23 years. That’s how long I have been a music manager. 23 years ago a 19-year-old kid started managing an artist named Cato in Atlanta, Georgia and my journey began,” he stated in an Instagram post. “Along the way I have had so many experiences I could never have dreamt of. I have been blessed to have had a ‘Forrest Gump-like’ life while witnessing and taking part in the journeys of some of the most extraordinarily talented people the world has ever seen. I’m constantly pinching myself and asking ‘how did I get here?’ And after 23 years this chapter as a must manager has come to an end.”
Over the course of his career, Braun has helped to develop talent such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato and J Balvin, among others.
Additionally, he sold Ithaca Holdings, the parent company of SB Projects and Big Machine Label Group, to South Korean entertainment conglomerate HYBE in 2021. As he enters this new chapter, Braun will continue to serve as CEO of HYBE America in addition to join the company’s Board.
“In this next chapter, I have been honored to join as a board member of Hybe and serve as the CEO of Hybe America. My brilliant partner these past three years, Chairman Bang, has a vision I truly believe in,” he added. “But even beyond that he has become a true friend who understands where I must be in my life these days. And that is a father first, a CEO second, and a manager no more.”
Jenna Paulette Gears Up For New Album ‘Horseback’ Arriving In September
/by John Nix ArledgeJenna Paulette
Jenna Paulette is gearing up for the release of her sophomore album, Horseback, set for Sept. 6. Since signing with Leo33 earlier this year, Paulette has been preparing new music that fully embraces all aspects of her life.
“This record is a cumulation of perspectives I have from the moments and people that made me: rural, cowboy, America, my biggest heartaches leading to my healing, the men and women I’m so proud to come from and represent,” Paulette shared exclusively with Cowboys & Indians.
“From the ‘ear break’ on the record ‘Prairie Primrose,’ which I literally wrote most of from the saddle, to one of my favorites to perform live, ‘Run the Damn Ball,’ to ‘The Prophet (Grandaddy’s Song),’ it’s all a picture of the perspectives and personalities I’ve been influenced by throughout my life. A body of work I can stand behind,” she adds.
Paulette offers fans a look into what’s to come on this album with songs such as “Darlin’,” “Hang Your Hat” and “Wild Is Her Favorite Color,” available now. The latter, written by Lori McKenna, Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey, aims to be a celebration of the freedom that accompanies living authentically.
“Being wild has always gotten a bad rap, but I’ve always felt wild,” Paulette reflects. “Not Fireball shots at 3 a.m. wild, but honeysuckle growing up an old fence post. Horse wide open in a pasture. Sunset on fire, wind in my hair kind of wild. The kind of wild that God smiles about because he’s the one that made the wild…Not people’s opinions, not my own opinions about myself, not the constraints of society, undomesticated but feminine. Ruled by her maker and not the things the world says will make her. Free to be whatever it is that truly makes me come alive. So yes, I’m wild. And I’m hoping that when I’m done with it, it won’t have such a bad rap.”
Additionally, Paulette is currently on the road with Aaron Watson as part of “The Armadillo Dance Hall Tour.”
Horseback Track Listing:
1. Wild Is Her Favorite Color (Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey)
2. 3 Kings (Jenna Paulette, Parker Welling, Casey Brown)
3. The Devil Is An Angel (Jenna Paulette, Parker Welling, Casey Brown)
4. Run The Damn Ball (Rodney Clawson, Casey Beathard, Hunter Phelps)
5. The Dirt (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Hillary Lindsey)
6. Chasin’ Whiskey (Joe Fox, Tony Lane)
7. The Prophet (Granddaddy’s Song) (Ashley McBryde, Matraca Berg, Lori McKenna)
8. Outside (Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson)
9. Prairie Primrose (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
10. Darlin’ (Jenna Paulette, Jess Cayne, Matthew Morrisey)
11. Horseback (Jenna Paulette, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
12. Hang Your Hat (Jenna Paulette, Smith Ahnquist, Jim Beavers, Rhett Akins)
13. A Hill To Die On (Jenna Paulette, Smith Ahnquist, Lynn Hutton)
Caylee Hammack Readies Next Era With Vulnerable New Single [Interview]
/by Madison HahnenCaylee Hammack. Photo: Kirsten Balani
Capitol Records Nashville recording artist and ACM Award winner Caylee Hammack released her critically acclaimed debut album If It Wasn’t For You in 2o20. After years of touring, connecting with fans and being part of some incredible collaborations, she is ready to pull back the curtain on her new era of music, starting with the release of her new single “The Hill,” out today (June 14).
Hammack recently took some time to speak to MusicRow about her new music.
When she first moved to town in 2013, Hammack immediately got her boots on the ground and started playing in bars all up and down broadway. After two and half years of playing the bars and getting in as many writes as she could, she landed a publishing deal with UMPG Nashville.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck in Hammack’s life when she lost her home in electrical fire while at a writer’s retreat. Despite her hard times, the singer-songwriter found her support system here in town, and it showed her what she truly needed in her life.
While her personal life was down, she found that her professional life was going up through that support. At the time, Hammack was starting to hammer down on finding songs for her debut album. She enlisted friend and producer Mikey Reaves for song sampling, and a few of those demos are what you hear on the record today, such as “Family Tree.”
After signing her record deal in 2018, Hammack was off to the races on radio tours to begin introducing herself to industry gatekeepers. She released her debut album in August of 2020, and recalls how hard it was not being able to see fans reacting to songs out on the road, as being able to see music connect is vital to her.
“There’s just a tangible magic, connection and unity that I have with complete strangers [at shows]. That is one of the most beautiful things that music does. It’s a conduit for people and it connects us all,” she says.
“We have so many differing opinions, but for some reason, when that one song plays, people will drunkenly put their arms around each other’s shoulders and sing along together. For those three minutes, we agree on something and we’re happy together,” Hammack explains. “During that time, I realized in an ever deeper level what I already knew—that it is magic the way music is able to draw people in.”
Since live shows have come back, Hammack has been sharing her music with the world non-stop, opening up for Brothers Osborne, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and more. She also embarked on a co-headline tour in the UK with Tenille Arts, and has played CMA Fest, The Long Road Festival, Watershed Festival and more.
“I truly cried after the first gig back [from COVID]. There’s something about when you look out into a crowd. Someone once told me every single show that you play is most likely one person’s first-ever show and one person’s last-ever show, so you better play it that way. That’s how I’ve always viewed it.”
That’s why heading into this new album, Hammack is excited to take on a whole new approach by seeing real-time reactions.
“I feel like I’m getting to do [the album cycle for the first time] all over again. I’m working on these songs and am on the road at the same time,” she says. “We’re releasing stuff, getting to tour, getting to do the TV shows and everything versus just spending eight or nine hours a day on Zoom doing interviews, Instagram lives and DM-ing people and then laying in bed going, ‘I hope they like it.'”
Gearing up for the project, Hammack zeroed in on her sound and artistry.
“This next record is much more organically influenced and infused with more acoustic energy like the music I was raised on. On the first album, we did a lot of sampling and such because we were working with demo budgets. That album came out exactly how it should, but I remember listening back and it felt poppy for me. It doesn’t sound the way my heart sounds when I sing these new songs.”
Hammack enlisted trusted producers Dann Huff and John Osborne to co-produce her next album with. By letting her creativity flow with no limits and learning from Huff and Osborne, she’s confident that it will truly show who she is as an artist.
“I was able to truly fall into the bells and whistles, the little pad parts, the ways of layering things and certain effects that I love dearly. I had so much more freedom. I got to step back and truly be the artist.”
Hammack is a co-writer on all but one of the album’s songs, but feels her first outside cut was truly made for her. Her friend and fellow songwriter Mia Mantia played her a track she was working on that was a spin off of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” This version was from the woman’s point of view, saying, “don’t let your babies grow up to love cowboys.”
The song struck a chord with Hammack, as it reminded her of a family member Matthew Rue, who had just passed away from complications with MS. Rue was a huge musical influence for Hammack, as he was her only musical family member.
“I heard it and thought of Matthew and the old country music that he loved. I got these goosebumps all over my body,” Hammack recalls. “I just felt like God was telling me that I needed to cut the song. It just was so serendipitous the way it happened and the way my body reacted.”
Lyrically, Hammack is sharing some of her favorite stories from her catalog, some tracks even dating back to 2018. She wants to share the vulnerable part of herself, hoping to cultivate connection to the fans.
“What I’ve learned is the songs that are the most vulnerable—the ones about the grittiest and saddest parts of my life—have been the ones that most people have connected to,” she shares. “When I realized that they connected to the vulnerable parts of me that I tried to hide, it gave me this new revival of hope.”
To start off the new era, Hammack released her new single “The Hill” today (June 14). Written with Tenille Townes and Logan Wall, the single kicks off the album’s vulnerability.
“‘The Hill’ is a white flag being waved by a broken arm in the middle of a battle. There is no point in fighting. If you win this argument, you might just lose the other person, so winning this argument is not worth it at all if you lose them.”
More of Hammack’s new music is on the way.
Sadler Vaden Releases Surprise Solo Project For Father’s Day
/by Lorie HollabaughSadler Vaden of Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit has released a surprise solo project, Dad Rock, via Thirty Tigersjust in time for Father’s Day.
Vaden recorded the eight-song set of classic rock jams and ballads just after he became a father, and recruited fellow dad rockers Benmont Tench, Elliot Easton, Art Edmaiston and more to join him on the album.
Dad Rock includes new tracks that Vaden wrote specifically for his two sons, “Townsend’s Theme” and “I’ll Always Come Back,” the latter of which was inspired by what he tells them every time he leaves for tour, as well as older tracks he has waited to share with the world, like “Two Balloons,” a tribute to his late parents that matches the tattoo on his left arm.
“I was technically only in the studio for two days, two sessions in December just days before my second son Theo was born,” says Vaden. “Everything else was done remotely or at my home studio when I could carve out an hour here and there. I really knew what I wanted things to sound like on this record, so it was important to me to not let things get overcooked by laboring over parts and sounds too much. We mixed the record remotely with Owen Lewis using Audiomovers, which is software that you can put on the stereo output of your DAW and send a link to a mix or recording session in real time. I’d be listening to the link in my airpods while he’s mixing and I’d be changing dirty diapers or making bottles or chasing my toddler around getting ready for bedtime, ‘Dad Rock’ indeed.”
Since his last release, Vaden has continued touring and recording with Isbell while further establishing himself behind the board by producing Morgan Wade’s last two records, Reckless and Psychopath, among others.
Ben Goldsmith To Share ‘The Start Of Something Beautiful’ In September
/by Liza AndersonBen Goldsmith will share his new album, The Start Of Something Beautiful, on Sept. 13.
The Free Flight Records artist developed the collection with Dan Wilson, Rick Nowels and Alex Hope, among others. Spanning coming-of-age themes of heartbreak, first love and more, The Start Of Something Beautiful credits the 18-year-old as a writer on every track and producer on nearly half of the project. Goldsmith also plays guitar, piano, lap steel, organ, mellotron and bass throughout the album. Two of its 11 songs, “When I Said Goodbye” and “Love Again,” are available now.
“Over the past year, I’ve been traveling to many new places and meeting new people that have challenged me and inspired my art, both in L.A. and my new home in Nashville,” he says. “My primary goal for this album was to write the best songs I possibly could and cover new musical ground. The lyrics explore feelings of growing pains, heartbreak, hope and a desire to prove myself because I took a less traveled path.”
Additionally, Goldsmith will hit the road this summer with Australian trio Sons Of The East in addition to select headlining dates across the country.
The Start Of Something Beautiful Track Listing:
1. “Crazy” (Ben Goldsmith, Peter Fenn)
2. “Love Again” (Ben Goldsmith, Alex Hope)
3. “When I Said Goodbye” (Ben Goldsmith, Alex Hope)
4. “Graduate” (Ben Goldsmith, Kate York, Dave Cohen)
5. “I Miss NYC” (Ben Goldsmith, Tiffany Johnson)
6. “Trying” (Ben Goldsmith, Aiden Halliday)
7. “Wish We Never Met” (Ben Goldsmith, Joseph Patton)
8. “Look On” (Ben Goldsmith, Alex Hope)
9. “Easy” (Ben Goldsmith, Jon Green, Caitlyn Smith)
10. “Treetops” (Ben Goldsmith, Rick Nowels)
11. “The Start Of Something Beautiful” (Ben Goldsmith, Rick Nowels)
Brinley Addington To Bring Listeners New Album Next Friday
/by Liza AndersonNashville singer-songwriter Brinley Addington will bring listeners his new album, Nobody’s Favorite, next Friday (June 21).
The 12-track project aims to highlight Addington’s traditional twang, vivid storytelling and mountain soul. He plans to celebrate Nobody’s Favorite with show at The Listening Room Cafe on the album’s release date.
The Kingsport, Tennessee native moved to Music City in 2008 to attend Belmont University. He began performing on lower Broadway, and toured the country playing clubs, fairs, festivals and opening shows for Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Marty Stuart, Ronnie Milsap and more. He has also written songs recorded by Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris, Darius Rucker, Chris Janson, Parmalee and Kameron Marlowe, among others.
Nobody’s Favorite Track Listing:
1. “Something Light” (Brinley Addington, AJ Pruis, Mike Walker)
2. “Goodbye Darlin’” (Brinley Addington, Joel Shewmake)
3. “Belle Of The Bar” (Brinley Addington, AJ Pruis, Mike Walker, Andrew Cohen)
4. “Talkin’ To Her Through The Jukebox” (Brinley Addington, Ryan Beaver, Mike Walker)
5. “If You Don’t” (Josh Thompson, Sarah Allison Turner, Mike Walker)
6. “Free That Day” (Brinley Addington, Aaron Eshuis)
7. “Nobody’s Favorite” (Brinley Addington, Ryan Beaver, Neil Medley)
8. “Still Got That Radio” (Brinley Addington, Brent Anderson)
9. “Mind Of Its Own” (Brinley Addington, Brandon Ratcliff, Logan Wall)
10. “Darlene” (Adam Wright)
11. “Same Ole Sins” (Brinley Addington, Jason Blaine, Mark Collie)
12. “Late To Church” (Brinley Addington, Blake Chaffin, Aaron Eshuis)
Jon Bon Jovi Celebrates Bar Opening With Performance
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Tico Torres, Hugh McDonald, David Bryan, Missy Wolf and Jon Bon Jovi. Photo: Tommy Lemon
Jon Bon Jovi celebrated the opening of his new Nashville bar, located on Broadway, during last week’s CMA Fest. The opening of the bar marks the first time a rock band has opened a bar in music city.
Last Friday (June 7), Jovi and his band, Bon Jovi, took the stage inside the bar for a special performance. The band sang some of their biggest hits along with the crowd. Many country stars and celebrities were also in attendance, including including Jamie O’Neal, Big Kenny, Jelly Roll, Jeremy and Ajay Popoff from the band Lit, Vince Neil and many more.
The bar was developed by Jovi in partnership with BPH Hospitality. The 37,000 square foot building is the second largest on the iconic strip. The space features two entrances, two outdoor rooftop decks with panoramic views and more.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Reveals Tom Petty Display
/by John Nix ArledgePhoto: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled “Tom Petty: Where I Come From,” a display highlighting the legendary artist’s southern roots and continued influence on today’s country artists.
Petty’s music bridged the gap between his southern upbringing and his life in southern California, where he cites country-rock bands The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and other Los Angeles groups as inspiration for his sound. The display works to complement the museum’s current exhibit, “Western Edge: The Roots and Reverberations of Los Angeles Country-Rock,” presented by City National Bank.
The Tom Petty exhibit features various artifacts from his career, including a Gretsch Roundup guitar, a jacket worn during the 1985 Live Aid concert and the Southern Accents Tour and stage wear from Mudcrutch reunion tours. Also on display are the handwritten lyrics for “Southern Accents,” the title track of his 1985 album, recently covered by Dolly Parton.
Over his career, Petty collaborated with several Country Music Hall of Fame members such as Parton, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Strait and Marty Stuart. The artist’s influence on today’s country music is evident by the upcoming tribute album, Petty Country: A Country Music Celebration of Tom Petty, which includes performances by stars Luke Combs, Rhiannon Giddens, Chris Stapleton and others.
The display is included with museum admission and runs through summer 2025.