Photos: How Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson, Others Are Shaping The Genre

Dozens of artists, songwriters and musicians are spotlighted for their undeniable contributions to country music in the genre’s latest chapter.

Wardrobe pieces, instruments, awards and other artifacts appear behind glass in the annual American Currents: State of the Music exhibit Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. Many of the artists featured in the exhibit attended an opening celebration on Tuesday evening (March 17). “American Currents takes a broad view of the genre over the past year to explore musical developments, artist achievements and notable events, as determined by the museum’s curators and editorial staff,” per a press release issued by the Hall of Fame following the event.

Artists, musicians, songwriters and more in the exhibit include the Biscuits & Banjos festival, Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, Tyler Childers, Charley Crockett, Sierra Ferrell, Vince Gill, Ashley Gorley, Charlie Handsome, Sierra Hull, I’m With Her, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ella Langley, MJ Lenderman, Megan Moroney, Ringo Starr, Billy Strings, Zach Top, Morgan Wallen, Waxahatchee, Wednesday, Jesse Welles, Lainey Wilson and Stephen Wilson Jr. Video footage will show performances and collaborations by Julien Baker and TORRES, BigXthaPlug (Xavier Landum) and Bailey Zimmerman, Alison Brown and Steve Martin, and Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll, plus Kaitlin Butts, Luke Combs, Farm Aid, the Grand Ole Opry, Riley Green, Cody Johnson and more. The “Unbroken Circle” section of the exhibit, which pairs artists with the icons who inspired them, includes Ken Pomeroy and John Denver, Carter Faith and Tammy Wynette, and Muscadine Bloodline and Turnpike Troubadours. The exhibit also chronicles some of the biggest albums, singles and tours of the year, plus other unforgettable moments on touchscreen interactive features.

“It’s central to our mission at the museum to report on country music — not just its storied past but also what’s happening right now,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a previous statement. “We present stories of collaboration, perseverance and innovation from emerging artists and established luminaries — and the instruments, stage wear and personal items that bring those stories to life. American Currents is a testament to the constant vitality of the music.”

Carter Faith will appear at a Songwriter Session on Saturday (March 21), and Sierra Hull will appear at a Musician Spotlight on Sunday (March 22) in support of the American Currents opening.

The American Currents: State of the Music exhibit, which is included in museum admission, is open as of Wednesday (March 18). It will be available through January 2027. Scroll below to see photos of some of the artifacts included in the exhibit: