Hall of Fame Breaks Summer Attendance Record

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has set a new record for summer attendance, museum officials revealed today.

From the Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 197,938 people visited the museum, a 15% increase over the previous record of 172,100 set in 2011.

“We are gratified that so many local, national and international visitors have chosen to visit us this summer, and we’d like to thank them for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “There are a number of factors that contributed to our record-setting attendance:  Foremost, we’ve offered a powerful trifecta of exhibitions spotlighting the Bakersfield Sound, superstar Taylor Swift and Country Music Hall of Fame member Patsy Cline, and strong live programs to accompany them. Taylor’s exhibition marks the first time we’ve mounted a major display on a contemporary artist, and our visitors have responded very positively—our youth and family attendance is up 23% over last year.”

Coming up soon at the Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Allen Reynolds (“Five O’Clock World,” “Dreaming My Dreams With You”) will be honored as the latest subject of the quarterly series Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters. The 90-minute event takes place October 6, at 1:30 pm and will be hosted by museum editor Michael Gray. Museum passes are required for attendance.