NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 10, 2017 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will explore the life and career of Jason Aldean, two-time and reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, in the exhibition Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy, Presented by Field & Stream, opening May 26.
Aldean has helped define today’s country music with his wide-open sound. The exhibit will recall the early encouragement he received from both parents, his move to Nashville, his struggle to get his music heard and his groundbreaking success with an independent record company. Running until November 5, Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy will include childhood mementos, memorabilia from Aldean’s early career, stage wear, guitars, awards, photos and more from his personal collection.
"In ‘Asphalt Cowboy’ Jason sings about running underneath the stars on a ride that won’t let him go,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. "Years of touring across the country, burning up the asphalt, have led him to country music superstardom on a ride that’s far from over. We are pleased that he will join Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood among the contemporary artists we have featured in special summer exhibits examining country music in the twenty-first century."
“I could not be more honored to have an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Aldean. “To look around the space and see my personal heroes and artists who helped shape country music is a surreal feeling. To be a part of a legacy like this really is a dream come true."
Field & Stream, a specialty outdoor retail and product brand owned and operated by DICK’S Sporting Goods, is sponsoring the exhibit, to enable country music fans and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the nation to get a closer look at one of the most iconic artists in the industry. Aldean has been a Field & Stream spokesperson since 2016.
“When we first started working with Jason, it was our goal to create an authentic partnership with someone who is genuinely passionate about the outdoors” said Lauren Hobart, executive vice president & chief customer & digital officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “We are not only thrilled to be supporting Jason’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, but we’re excited to help bring country music fans and outdoor enthusiasts closer to the music they enjoy.”
Jason Aldean: Asphalt Cowboy exhibition highlights include:
- Wooden childhood rocking horse with Aldean’s name engraved
- First guitar, given to Aldean by his father
- High school graduation photo
- T-shirt, bio and set list for Aldean’s high school band the Young Guns
- Poster for Trisha Yearwood and Aldean, when he opened for her homecoming concert in the late ’90s
- Contract cover letter for signing with Broken Bow Records, 2004
- Brown short-sleeve shirt worn in “Johnny Cash” video
- Note from Jay Leno to Aldean before Tonight Show performance, November 2010
One of the most visited museums in the United States, with an unduplicated collection of more than 2.5 million artifacts, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates its fiftieth anniversary in 2017. Aldean’s installation leads a year packed with revealing exhibitions on subjects including Loretta Lynn, Shania Twain, and country music couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
Follow the museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, and join the conversation using #CMHOF50 and #JasonAldeanExhibit. For more information, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.
