NASHVILLE, Tenn., – January 29, 2015 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s special exhibition Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, originally scheduled to close in March, has been extended through June 21, 2015. To celebrate the extension, the museum welcomes the return of Jackson’s cherished ’55 Ford Thunderbird, on display in the Curb Conservatory lobby, and the museum will stage a special Valentine’s Day contest.
From February 8 to 16, Jackson’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible will return to the museum’s Curb Conservatory. Jackson began saving money when he was 12 years old and bought the car when he was 15. He restored it with his dad, Gene, and drove it throughout high school. In fact, Denise Jackson, Alan’s wife, agreed to a first date with her future husband because “he owned the coolest car in town.” After the couple married, Jackson sold his dream machine to make a down payment on their first home. Several years later Denise tracked down the car and gave it to Alan as a Christmas gift. The T-Bird served as inspiration for his 2002 song “First Love,” and, in 2008, the car (and Denise) appeared in Jackson’s music video “Good Time.”
“We are thrilled to bring Alan’s ‘first love,’ his 1955 T-Bird, back to the museum,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “This beautiful car was not only an integral part of Alan and Denise’s love story but the inspiration for one of his songs. Its return is the perfect way to kick-off the exhibit’s extension and celebrate Valentine’s Day.”
To mark the T-Bird’s return and the Jacksons’ incredible love story, the museum is launching the “First Love Getaway” Contest. From today until February 6, fans can share their own first-date stories on the
Country Music Hall of Fame’s Facebook page for a chance to win a romantic Valentine’s weekend getaway for two to Nashville. For more information including how to enter and prize details, visit
countrymusichalloffame.org.
The exhibit Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country is an expertly curated deep-dive into Jackson’s career that includes awards, instruments, costumes and personal mementos—many that fans will recognize from his concerts and music videos. A water ski from the “Chattahoochee” music video and a Harley Davidson motorcycle from the cover of the seminal album A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ’bout Love), in addition to never-before-seen treasures from Jackson’s private man-cave, and much more are on display.
Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the foundation also operates CMF Records, the museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print®.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling (615) 416 2001.
In his 25-year career, Alan Jackson has been steadfast in his love for traditional music while enjoying major chart success. Since signing his record deal in June 1989, he has sold nearly 60 million albums worldwide and ranks as one of the 10 best-selling vocalists of all-time in all genres. He has released more than 60 singles—registering 50 Top Ten hits and 35 #1s (including 26 Billboard #1s). He has earned more than 150 music industry awards—including 18 Academy of Country Music Awards, 16 Country Music Association Awards, a pair of Grammys and ASCAP’s Founders and Golden Note Awards. Jackson received the first-ever ASCAP Heritage Award in 2014 having earned the title of most performed country music songwriter-artist of ASCAP’s first 100 years. He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
