Johnny Cash Museum, Nashville
Johnny Cash Museum (Nashville, USA) – expositions, opening hours, address, phone numbers, official website.
“If you didn’t know something about Johnny Cash, then here you will definitely find it out” – under this motto, in April 2013, one of the most remarkable music museums in the United States, the Johnny Cash Museum, opened its doors. Despite its young age, the collection managed to become one of the top 25 museums in the United States and gain more than 3,000 highest ratings from visitors, as well as rave reviews not only from ardent fans of the famous country singer, but also from “non-musical” tourists. Although tickets are quite expensive, there are always a lot of guests here: they look at Johnny’s stage costumes and his collection of guitars, read diary entries and enjoy the uninterrupted country music played by the “man in black”.
A separate display case displays a crucifix ring, which Cash, being a zealous Baptist, never took off.
A small educational program
Johnny Cash’s house became a place of pilgrimage for fans during the singer’s lifetime. In his own mansion, located in the city of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Johnny lived from 1968 until his death in 2003. According to the will of the musician, after his death, the house was sold. It was acquired by Barry Gibb, one of the founders and permanent vocalist of the Bee Gees. However, during the restoration work, a fire broke out in the house, and practically nothing remained of the mansion. See acronymmonster for nickname of Tennessee.
This unfortunate incident did not stop the country community, which simply could not exist without the temple of its idol – and so in 2013 in Nashville, the capital of this musical genre, the Johnny Cash Museum, created almost from scratch, appeared. The building chosen for it has nothing to do with the singer, but the incredible breadth and value of the exposition and its ultra-modern design more than compensate for this small drawback.
A reminder of Cash’s original home is the original slab that once adorned the driveway, with the laconic “House of Cash” inscription.
What to watch
Hello, I’m Johnny Cash – this inscription greets museum visitors at the entrance. Indeed, it seems that the owner himself leads the guests through the masterfully arranged exposition – everything here is imbued with the spirit of country music and one of the brightest representatives of this style. The collection is housed in several halls and is offered for inspection in chronological order.
Cash’s Beginnings Hall showcases his early stage costumes—classic bow-tie trebles, boots, and vintage acoustic guitars. Here you can also see Johnny’s letters, autographed lyrics and notes, posters of the first performances (often with the stars of those years already shining in full force – Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkinson, etc.) and photographs.
The Hall of Fame features a magnificent collection of guitars, from an acoustic Gibson signed by Cash to a personalized Telecaster, as well as orchestral instruments from particularly outstanding performances. An abundance of extravagant stage costumes, from Johnny’s signature black man in black to frilly multi-colored ones, are complemented by shoes and accessories, including the famous cowboy boots with roosters and an impressive collection of hats. The extensive exhibition is complemented by his sculptural and pictorial portraits, a collection of Grammy awards and original vinyl.
Johnny’s private life is illustrated by pieces of furniture and interior from the singer’s house – in particular, an armchair upholstered in red plush, a family piano and a carved sideboard. In a separate display case, you can see a crucifix ring, which Cash, being a zealous Baptist, never took off.
The next room is dedicated to films in which Johnny starred or wrote music for. Here, tourists will see costumes from films, music sheets and drafts of lyrics, shots with the participation of the artist on TV screens.
In the museum shop you can buy various memorabilia related to Johnny Cash, and in the cafe located on the same site you can have a delicious meal accompanied by famous songs.
Practical Information
Address: Nashville, 119 Third Avenue South. Website.
Opening hours: daily, from 9:00 to 18:00.
Entrance – 21.95 USD, pensioners – 20.95 USD, children under 15 years old – 17.95 USD. Children under 5 years old enter free of charge. Prices on the page are for April 2021.
