The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is offering free admission for local kids and discounted admission for up to two accompanying adults, as well as increased daily programs for families this summer.

Museum visitors can explore, discover and create all summer at family-friendly programs and activities. Young explorer and sensory kits, scavenger hunts, coloring pages and gallery interactives are always available, and the museum will also offer drop-in programming and workshops for diverse family audiences throughout the week.

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, increased daily programming and workshops for families will include:

• Mondays and Tuesdays, all day – Take-home kits are available to inspire visitors to make instruments out of repurposed materials such as spoons, rubber bands, plastic eggs and more.
• Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to Noon – The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo will offer budding musicians a chance to try new and familiar instruments in a drop-in setting.
• Thursdays through Sundays, 10 to Noon – Attendees will explore, discover and create arts and crafts related to museum artifacts and exhibitions in a drop-in setting.
• Saturdays, 1 to 2 p.m. – Visitors can express themselves through music, dance or art in drop-in and workshop-based programs. Attendees can explore line dancing, create a friendship bracelet, learn to play ukulele and more.
• June 24 – 29, at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow animation and an ever-changing set tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City during String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry. Visitors will experience this exciting true story through nearly 100 puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Johnny Cash to Taylor Swift.

The free and discounted admission for Tennessee children ages 18 and under will apply to those living in Davidson and its bordering counties – Cheatham, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson. Proof of residency is required, and visitors are encouraged to reserve tickets in advance on the museum’s website. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Timed tickets are available for museum entry between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with a limited number of museum admission tickets available each day.

Craig Campbell has added players to his 10th Annual Celebrity Cornhole Challenge, taking place on June 4 at 6th & Peabody in downtown Nashville. All proceeds will benefit The Kenny Campbell Foundation.

Colbie Caillat and returning player Jerrod Niemann will join one of 16 teams to challenge the event founder and 2023 winner. Hosted by Holly Stocks and Bigg Vinny, the free and open-to-the-public event will start at 11 a.m. and run through 4 p.m., concluding with a concert starring Craig.

Fans can place bids to compete on one of the teams alongside other competitors Jay Allen, Lewis Brice, Mindy Campbell, Julia Cole, Travis Collins, Katie Dempsey, Tayler Holder, “Singing Barber” Noah Peters, Colton and Zach Swon of The Swon Brothers, Bryan White, Kinni Campbell and Preslee Campbell. Additionally, a limited number of VIP Ticket Packages are still available. The package includes a group meet-and-greet photo with all of the celebrity participants, two drink tickets, an event swag bag and premium view of the tournament.

For more information, click here.

Drummer Marcus Finnie will kick off this year’s expanded, five-month “Jazz in the Park” summer series from The Nashville Jazz Workshop on May 30.

The free community event returns to the Hadley Park Bandshell in Nashville from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., after a successful first season that attracted hundreds of music lovers last summer.

“This year is going to be amazing and because of last year’s success, we are expanding from three to five shows. We were so pleased that this series was well received by many community members, friends and neighbors,” says Mary Grissom, Executive Director of The Nashville Jazz Workshop. “Whether you are a jazz aficionado or new to the genre, this is a great way to enjoy the summer nights in Nashville with friends and family.”

The “Jazz in the Park” summer concert series is free and open to the public due to the generous support of well-known jazz educator Jamey Aebersold and series media partner, The Tennessee Tribune. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets, or enjoy the bench seating throughout the park. For more than 20 years, the Nashville Jazz Workshop has hosted more than 500 concerts and community events in Music City. The organization serves as a community center for the preservation and enjoyment of jazz music, with a commitment to supporting local musicians and encouraging new jazz listeners.

Finnie, who will kick this year’s series off on May 30, is a a well-regarded drummer who has recorded, toured and shared the stage with artists spanning various genres. His collaborators include Kirk Whalum, Donna Summer, Kurt Elling and many more. June 27’s event will feature Giovanni Rodriguez, a Grammy Award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, arranger and educator. He is the dynamic bandleader of the Music City Latin Orchestra.

Featured on July 25 will be Hollie Hammel, a vocal savant with an extensive background in music theory and aural skills. Hammel is a sought-after singer who has lent her talents to a wide variety of projects that span many genres. Emmanuel Echem will perform on Aug. 29. The versatile trumpeter, composer and arranger’s musical journey has led him to collaborate with a diverse range of artists like Eric Church, Joss Stone, Kirk Franklin and Lauren Daigle, to name a few.

The series will end on Sept. 26 with a performance from Andrew Golden, a driving force behind a vibrant jazz/funk ensemble that originated as a weekly residency in East Nashville. Golden draws inspiration from funk, soul, jazz and electronic influences, to reflect the beauty of everyday moments.

Ernest. Photo: Delaney Royer

The annual “Stars For Second Harvest” benefit concert has set the lineup for its June 4 concert at the Ryman Auditorium. Hardy, Jamey Johnson and Lukas Nelson will kickoff the night in a writers’ round before Ernest takes the stage for a headlining set with special guest appearances.

“I’m honored to continue the legacy of one of Nashville’s greatest songwriters and my friend and mentor, Craig Wiseman, through ‘Stars for Second Harvest.’ Craig’s work over the last two decades has changed countless lives in my hometown, and I look forward to doing my part to make sure that continues throughout Middle and West Tennessee,” shares Ernest. “This event has always been a special one, and knowing I get to bring some of my favorite artists and people in town along for the ride makes it even better. Come join us at the Ryman on June 4. We’re gonna drink some beers, play some country music and feed the people of Nashville.”

Proceeds from the event will benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The foundation provides food to people facing hunger and strives to advance hunger solutions in the community.

“For 30 years, Nissan has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in their fight against hunger,” says Chandra Vasser, Vice President, Chief DEI Officer, Nissan Americas and President, Nissan Foundation. “Their work goes beyond just feeding the hungry; it empowers and nourishes our entire community, fostering compassion and building empathy for our neighbors. It takes a united, persistent effort to end hunger, and we are dedicated to finding ways to bring our community together in that fight. Nissan is honored to be a part of the ‘Stars for Second Harvest’ concert to raise awareness and vital funds for an organization that makes a tangible difference in the lives of Middle Tennesseans every day.”

Tickets are on sale now.