By Chris Cannon
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Developers have announced plans for the Johnny Cash Museum in downtown Nashville. The interactive museum will chronicle the legend's life and career.
The museum will be located at 119 Third Avenue South, and will open in phases, starting this summer.
Longtime friend Bill Miller said the museum would feature authentic and interactive exhibits from Johnny Cash's childhood and entertainment career.
"For the first time people will be able to actually physically go through Johnny Cash's life in 3-D, sight, sound, artifacts, experiences," Miller said.
The museum will house the largest and most comprehensive collection of Cash memorabilia in the world.
A stone wall from Cash's Hendersonville home that burned to the ground in 2007 has been excavated and donated to the museum by former Bee Gee's band member Barry Gibb, who bought the home.
"No gratuitous display of artifacts, this isn't just about cool stuff, this is about each and every piece telling the story of Johnny Cash based on his own recollections," Miller said.
Members of the Cash family attended the news conference where organizers revealed plans for the project.
John Carter Cash said the museum will give visitors a chance to see a side of his father many people did not know existed.
"We're very excited as the estate that everybody will have a place to come enjoy dad's music and to be part of a celebration of his life," Carter explained.
The museum will be located between Broadway and Demonbreun Street, in the heart of Nashville's tourist district.
"Its relationship to the convention center, its relationship to the honky tonks, I can't think of a better place to be. They're right in the middle of everything," said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.
Just a few doors down from the museum location Ed Smith opened Mr. Hats Boots store back in December.
Cash was Smith's customers when he owned a boot store in Hendersonville back in the 1980's. He feels the arrival of this museum will benefit Cash fans and downtown businesses.
"We can always provide the boots, and provide the music, but having another reason to come to Nashville is always a big plus," Smith said.
The first phase of the museum is expected to open this summer and will include interactive displays, a multi-purpose venue and a museum store. It will expand and space becomes available in the building.
email: ccannon@newschannel5.com
