MUSIC
First look: '90s country comes alive at new Grand Ole Opry exhibit
Matthew Leimkuehlermleimkuehler@dmreg.com
The 1990s come alive in Nashville this week when the Grand Ole Opry unveils its "Opry Loves the 90s" exhibit, a throwback to the sounds and styles that raised many of today's country artists and fans.
The exhibit opens Monday at the Roy Acuff House on Opryland grounds for all who take a backstage tour of the self-described "show that made country music famous."
From recreating your teenage bedroom (complete with a Deana Carter wall poster) to displaying Garth Brooks' high-flying black-and-yellow tour outfit, showcasing Alison Krauss' Grammy awards and highlighting a collection of throwback Grand Ole Opry Barbie dolls, the new exhibit embraces a '90s nostalgia that continues to run rampant among many country music fans.
We've got you covered with a first look inside the "Opry Loves the 90s" exhibit. Scroll on for five things you'll see inside the Acuff House.
(Story by Matthew Leimkuehler. Photos by George Walker IV.)
George Walker IV / The TennesseanThe exhibit opens Monday at the Roy Acuff House on Opryland grounds for all who take a backstage tour of the self-described "show that made country music famous."
From recreating your teenage bedroom (complete with a Deana Carter wall poster) to displaying Garth Brooks' high-flying black-and-yellow tour outfit, showcasing Alison Krauss' Grammy awards and highlighting a collection of throwback Grand Ole Opry Barbie dolls, the new exhibit embraces a '90s nostalgia that continues to run rampant among many country music fans.
We've got you covered with a first look inside the "Opry Loves the 90s" exhibit. Scroll on for five things you'll see inside the Acuff House.
(Story by Matthew Leimkuehler. Photos by George Walker IV.)
One: Trisha Yearwood's outfit from her "She's In Love With The Boy" music video shoot.
Nothing quite captures the 1990s like a monster hit from Trisha Yearwood, and "Loves The 90s" takes visitors there with a look at the singer's famed "She's In Love With The Boy" music video attire (you know, the gold suit jacket from the hazy-filtered small-town scene that introduced Yearwood to legions of listeners).
Like a mixtape come to life, the exhibit largely focuses on teaming memorabilia with famed 1990s songs - the aforementioned "She's In Love With The Boy," Brooks' "Friends In Low Places," Martina McBride's "Independence Day" ... and the list goes on.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanNothing quite captures the 1990s like a monster hit from Trisha Yearwood, and "Loves The 90s" takes visitors there with a look at the singer's famed "She's In Love With The Boy" music video attire (you know, the gold suit jacket from the hazy-filtered small-town scene that introduced Yearwood to legions of listeners).
Like a mixtape come to life, the exhibit largely focuses on teaming memorabilia with famed 1990s songs - the aforementioned "She's In Love With The Boy," Brooks' "Friends In Low Places," Martina McBride's "Independence Day" ... and the list goes on.
Two:A sleeveless Alan Jackson outfit with matching "AJ" boots.
No, the Opry wasn't able to score a life jacket from Alan Jackson's famed "Chattahoochee" video shoot, but fans can catch one of Jackson's sleeveless button down shirts and white cowboy hat inside "Opry Loves The 90s." A forefather of good-time 90s country, Jackson also sent a pair of matching boots with his initials etched into the front.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanNo, the Opry wasn't able to score a life jacket from Alan Jackson's famed "Chattahoochee" video shoot, but fans can catch one of Jackson's sleeveless button down shirts and white cowboy hat inside "Opry Loves The 90s." A forefather of good-time 90s country, Jackson also sent a pair of matching boots with his initials etched into the front.
Three:A decorated 1990s bedroom wall (and selfie stand).
Posters of Brooks, Carter, Vince Gill, Diamond Rio and more line a faux bedroom wall where visitors can take a selfie with '90s-themed filters. Those who come through may catch a few childhood photos of today's country stars, including Mickey Guyton, Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood.
And a collection of posters won't be the only nod to '90s country art. Outside the Acuff House, super-sized album covers from Gill, Shania Twain and more line the sidewalk outside the exhibit.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanPosters of Brooks, Carter, Vince Gill, Diamond Rio and more line a faux bedroom wall where visitors can take a selfie with '90s-themed filters. Those who come through may catch a few childhood photos of today's country stars, including Mickey Guyton, Luke Combs and Carrie Underwood.
And a collection of posters won't be the only nod to '90s country art. Outside the Acuff House, super-sized album covers from Gill, Shania Twain and more line the sidewalk outside the exhibit.
Four:A Beanie Baby collection from Tammy Wynette.
OK, Tammy Wynette isn't a country icon known for adding a collection of hits to 1990s canon (you'll need to go back a few more decades for those songs), but Wynette collected the toy that defined 1990s culture: Beanie Babies.
Opry curators build a wall-to-ceiling display of Wynette's collection as a nod to the unmistakably '90s fad.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanOK, Tammy Wynette isn't a country icon known for adding a collection of hits to 1990s canon (you'll need to go back a few more decades for those songs), but Wynette collected the toy that defined 1990s culture: Beanie Babies.
Opry curators build a wall-to-ceiling display of Wynette's collection as a nod to the unmistakably '90s fad.
Five:A dress worn by Martina McBride when she signed her record deal with RCA Nashville in 1992.
In a nod to launching a career that features some of the 1990s most notable country songs, the Opry displays an outfit McBride wore when she inked her inaugural record deal. After signing the papers, McBride proceeded to deliver hits from "Independence Day," to "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing" and more.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanIn a nod to launching a career that features some of the 1990s most notable country songs, the Opry displays an outfit McBride wore when she inked her inaugural record deal. After signing the papers, McBride proceeded to deliver hits from "Independence Day," to "Wild Angels," "A Broken Wing" and more.
Keep scrolling for more highlights from "Opry Loves the 90s," which runs through 2022. Memorabilia from the campaign extends to displays inside the Opry House and Ryman Auditorium.
Find more information at opry.com.
George Walker IV / The TennesseanFind more information at opry.com.
Lyrics from Lorrie Morgan's song "Good As I Was To You," written by songwriter Don Schlitz, photographed Friday, May 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
A jacket from Marty Stuart's 1990s "No Hats" tour with Travis Tritt at the Roy Acuff House Friday, May 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
A Terri Clark guitar autographed by Buck Owens, George Strait, George Jones and Emmylou Harris at the Roy Acuff House Friday, May 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
Brad Paisley display at the Roy Acuff House Friday, May 13, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / The Tennessean