JUST IN: Glen Campbell Museum To Close Doors On Current Location

“This isn’t an ‘Adios’ it’s a move to ‘A Better Place,’ a statement from the museum reads.

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

July 24, 2023

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3:14 pm

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Glen Campbell; Photo by Ed Rode/Getty Images, Glen Campbell Museum; Photo Courtesy Facebook

The Glen Campbell Museum located in downtown Nashville is relocating. 

The official social media accounts for the museum shared the news on Monday, revealing that the museum’s final day at its current location (111 Broadway, Suite 200) will be August 6, 2023. 

“We wanted to share some news with our amazing community. The Glen Campbell Museum will be moving much of Glen’s memorabilia, exhibits, and personal items to a new location very soon,” the statement reads. 

Tickets to visit the current location of the Glen Campbell Museum are available to purchase now through August 6. 

“While we’re sad to leave our current location behind, we are also looking forward to the opportunities that the new location will bring to Glen Campbell fans everywhere which will honor the remarkable legacy of Glen and his extraordinary contributions to the world of music,” the message reads. 

In closing the museum wrote, “This isn’t an ‘Adios’ it’s a move to ‘A Better Place,’ referencing two of Campbell’s songs. 

Glen Campbell Museum Opening; Photo by Abigail Volkman
Glen Campbell Museum Opening; Photo by Abigail Volkman

Fans are encouraged to stay tuned to the Glen Campbell Museum’s Facebook page for updates about the new location, which has yet to be announced. 

The Glen Campbell Museum and Rhinestone Stage opened its doors at the corner of Broadway and Second Avenue in early 2020. The 4,000 square foot museum and live music venue featured never-before-seen personal items from Campbell’s early years as well as artifacts from the beginning stages of his career through his rise to fame.

It showcased the many facets of his career, including his time as a studio musician in The Wrecking Crew (Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and others), his solo career, which featured hit records such as “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Gentle On My Mind” and “Wichita Lineman,” as well as his time in television and film, appearing on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and True Grit (among others).

Glen Campbell Musuem; Photo by Clearbrook Hospitality
Glen Campbell Musuem; Photo by Clearbrook Hospitality

The museum showcased several items, such as a heartfelt love letter written by Campbell to his wife, Kim, in celebration of their 25th anniversary. Additionally, there was a $5 Sears Roebuck guitar gifted by Campbell’s father when he was only four years old. Another fascinating artifact was a crumpled piece of hotel room stationary, retrieved from a trash can, which contained some of the original lyrics that later became the iconic song “Wichita Lineman.”

The Glen Campbell Museum and Rhinestone Stage transformed into a live music venue by night, hosting intimate performances from local and national artists.

“I am thrilled that Glen’s musical legacy will be preserved and celebrated in such a beautiful and enduring way,” Kim Campbell, Glen’s wife of 34 years shared when the museum was announced. “The museum is sure to inspire countless musicians and music lovers while continuing to entertain his lifelong fans and share his amazing gifts with generations to come. It’s with a big heart and sincere gratitude that we share Glen’s memories and cherished personal possessions with his fans and the world.”

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Glen Campbell was a celebrated country singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor. He is best known for songs such as “Gentle On My Mind,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Galveston,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and “Summer Nights.” He was a six-time GRAMMY winner and earned multiple CMA Awards and ACM Awards. 

Throughout his career, Campbell released 64 albums and sold over 45 million records worldwide. 

Glen Campbell passed away on August 8, 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 81 years old. 

“As most of you know, Glen passed away from Alzheimer’s on August 8, 2017,” Kim said from the stage during the museum’s opening event. “I was still grieving his loss when [I was approached] about the idea of doing a museum. Of course, I thought, ‘Wow, Glen would love that, and that would be such a great opportunity to share his life with millions of people coming to Nashville.’

Kim Campbell; Photo by Abigail Volkman
Kim Campbell; Photo by Abigail Volkman

“But as I began the process, going through all our memorabilia, and his records and his Grammy awards and his clothing, it was just breaking my heart, you know,” she continued. “I was just grieving even more deeply, missing him.”

The family helped compile many of the items in the museum and Kim said that being involved in the process helped her through the grieving process.  

“As I saw [the museum] come together so beautifully, it started to comfort me,” Kim explained. “Now it really is a joy to have this beautiful tribute to Glen. I think it’s gonna inspire a lot — and it already has, his life has inspired so many musicians…But I hope it continues to inspire many people, not only musically, but who may be facing things like Alzheimer’s.”

Click HERE to visit the official Glen Campbell Museum website. 

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.