Last month, country singer Hunter Hayes stopped in Phoenix to unveil a special exhibit at the Musical Instrument Museum.
The exhibit, which is located along a wall in the Artist's Gallery, features the instruments of past Country Music Association award winners. A fiddle from Marc O'Connor, who was named CMA Musician of the Year six times hangs on the wall, as does Mac McAnnally's 2013 Musician of the Year award.
In the middle, a TV screen shows performances from past CMA shows, including Dolly Parton, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during Wednesday's show.
"You guys have quite a place here. there is so much here to see. I'm very distracted as I talk to you, and yeah, it's a wow moment because a lot of these names on these walls were people who've shaped the music that I study, that I really try to learn a lot from, taken a lot from, and been influenced by, and inspired by," said Hayes, who has learned to play more than 30 minutes.
He spoke about the importance of music, music education and recognized the many people behind-the-scenes who dedicate their life to the craft.
"This is history in a big way," he said.
Two students from Rosie's House, a free music academy in Phoenix, also performed during the unveiling. Rosie's House is a grant recipient from the CMA Foundation.
IF YOU GO:
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Boulevard, Phoenix AZ 85050
http://mim.org/
