The Tennessee Playlist: The People, Places, and Roots of Our Music

Musical traditions have deep roots in Tennessee. This state has inspired musicians for generations, whether they made music on front porches, at studios, or in arenas. The Tennessee Playlist: The People, Places, and Roots of Our Music exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum explores the diverse sounds of the state and the interplay of tradition and change, highlighting innovation and enduring traditions. To reflect Tennessee's dynamic musical heritage, areas of this exhibit will change to share new stories.

Listen to playlists that complement the show, with examples of all the genres represented, on our Spotify channel.

Highlighted sections as of the exhibition's opening include those such as Tennessee's Music Roots: Southeastern Indian Music, Folk Music Traditions, and Hymns and Spirituals; Tennessee Music on the Move: Innovation and Migration, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Classical Music, The Blues, Gospel Music; The Origins of Country Music (The Bristol Sessions and The Grand Ole Opry); Tennessee, Technology, and the Music Business: Radio Revolution, Recording and Producing Record Albums, Jukeboxes; Rhythm & Blues, Rockabilly, and Nashville Rhythm & Blues, Rock and Roll; Soul, Hip-Hop and Southern Rap; Mariachi and Kurdish Music.