If 40-foot-tall 3-D movies and the original nasty-faced statue from atop the state Capitol still isn’t enough to get you to visit, the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is presenting a “Country Music From the Lone Star State” exhibit. That’s on display Sept. 28 until Jan. 5. Included in the massive exhibit are instruments, costumes, and “artifacts” belonging to such luminaries as Bob Wills, Roy Orbison, Townes Van Zandt, Flaco Jimenez, Clarence “Gatemouth– Brown, and the Dixie Chicks. Photos and footage from Austin City Limits are also part of the presentation, making it an ideal place to start your day next Saturday if you’re planning to spend the later part of the afternoon at Zilker Park attending the ACL Fest. In addition to the ongoing exhibit, the Museum’s Texas Spirit Theater will soon be presenting “The Spirit of Country Music,” a three-part series featuring the music of country icons, modern-day musicians, and more. First up is “A Fiddle in the Band” Wednesday, Oct. 2, 7-9 pm. Fiddle players performing live include Johnny Gimble and son Dick, as well as Randy Elmore and Jason Roberts. Next is “Texas Women in Country” Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7-9 pm, showcasing some of Texas’ best female country musicians, including Kelly Willis, Rosie Flores, Valerie Ryals-O’Brien, Lisa Pancratz, and Cindy Cashdollar. Finally, there’s the “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame” Nov. 6, with Country Music Hall of Famer Floyd Tillman making a rare live appearance, plus lively discussion with Roger Wallace and Johnny and Dick Gimble. The museum is located at 1800 N. Congress; call 512/936-4649 for tix or visit www.thestoryoftexas.com.
This article appears in September 20 • 2002.