While staying safe at home, you and your kids don't have to miss out on popular music programs at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Its renowned Songwriter Sessions and student Words & Music programs are heading to the museum's Instagram Live channel (@officialcmhof) starting this week.
"Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” says Lisa Purcell, the museum’s senior vice president of education, development and community engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular songwriting programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.”
SONGWRITER SESSIONS
Weekly Songwriter Sessions begin Tuesday, April 14, and the installments take place at 8 p.m. You'll be able to interact with the talents behind country music's biggest hits — the museum encourages you to ask questions. Abi Tapia, the museum's director of public programs, hosts each week's session.The artists perform while sheltered in place. The initial lineup is as follows:
April 14
Laura Veltz, whose compositions include “Bones” (Maren Morris), “Speechless” (Dan + Shay) and “What If I Never Get Over You” (Lady Antebellum).
April 21
Luke Laird, whose compositions include “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney) and “Space Cowboy” (Kacey Musgraves).
April 28
Caitlyn Smith, whose compositions include “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend), “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Country Music Hall of Fame members Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) and her own single “Long Time Coming.”
May 5
Eric Paslay, whose compositions include “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band) and his own hit “Friday Night.”
May 12
Brandy Clark, whose compositions include her singles "Bigger Boat," which features Randy Newman, "Hold My Hand" and "Who You Thought I Was."
May 19
Charlie Worsham, whose compositions include “Love You To The Moon” (Kip Moore) and his own singles “Mississippi In July” and “Old Time's Sake.”
WORDS & MUSIC AT HOME
Words & Music is the museum's signature program for young songwriting enthusiasts. It's typically a school classroom project, but the museum has retooled it for the time being into a nifty at-home program.
Words & Music at Home takes place Thursdays at 2 p.m. beginning April 16. Singer, songwriter and Sony/RCA recording artist Tenille Townes will perform and participate in a conversation about songwriting with host Adam Ollendorff, the museums outreach and music programs manager.
You can access educational materials for your child, including Words & Music at Home: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Own Song Lyrics on the museum’s website.
Learn more at countrymusichalloffame.org. Access the museum's Instagram at @officialcmhof.
THERE'S MORE!
The museum has added a brand-new page on its website specifically for kids. "Fun at Home" features a variety of coloring and activity sheets that you can download and print for your kids. Once your child has finished his artwork, snap a pic and e-mail it to familyfun@countrymusichalloffame.org to be featured in the museum's family art gallery.
Access the Fun at Home page HERE.