New museum traces history of Black music across genres

By Associated Press |

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Gospel music star CeCe Winans serves as a national chair for the museum (Source: Ovation Artist Group)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A new music museum in Nashville is telling an important and often overlooked story about the roots of American popular music. The National Museum of African American Music has opened in Nashville’s musical tourism district. Unlike museums that focus on a genre or label, this museum is touted as the first to span multiple genres including gospel, blues, jazz, R&B and hip-hop. Gospel singer CeCe Winans, who serves as a national chair for the museum, says it was long overdue to honor African American music and the role it has played in America.  The museum has 1,600 artifacts in the collection. Visitors can learn dance moves with a virtual instructor and sing “Oh Happy Day” with a choir.


Kristin M. Hall for the Associated Press