The Country Music Hall of Fame has updated their “American Currents” exhibit with more on Miranda Lambert and John Prine, two fitting stars for different reasons.
When one looks back at the year that was 2020, it’s hard to stay positive. When talking current events, there was an immense amount of difficulty and challenge due to a pandemic, volatile political climate and an array of other issues.
However, one thing that consistently brought people together was music. As it always has, art plays the role of unifying and bringing joy and interpretation to the world.
In the case of country music, Miranda Lambert and John Prine might best sum that up. An exhibit titled “American Currents: State of the Music” is updated by the Country Music Hall of Fame every year, looking to showcase the previous year.
While the exhibit features Lambert and Prine, it looks to touch on all different types of contribution. This is why it will feature groundbreaking stars like Jimmie Allen and Mickie Guyton. At the same time, it will touch on established stars like Eric Church, Faith Hill and the immortal Dolly Parton.
John Prine’s Place in 2020
Addressing the addition of John Prine to the exhibit, it is an expected but important development. His tragic death at the hands of COVID-19 was one that heavily struck the family at Outsider as well as country music as a whole. In just 12 days, Prine went from contracting the disease to death.
But as heartwrenching as Prine’s death was, it reminded the world of his long-lasting legacy through folk and country. Arguably one of the greatest songwriters of the past half-century, Prine’s lyrics will pull at us forever.
His final song, “I Remember Everything” is one of the key parts of the exhibit. His final song earned two Grammy nominations, and was just another block in the incredible structure of music Prine had made.
Miranda Lambert Also Honored
It goes without saying that 2020 was a brutally tough year. For the music industry specifically, it was a stranglehold on live music and production. Like many others, Miranda Lambert experienced this first hand.
However, the country star still found ways through the year, most notably through her song, “Settling Down.” The song is about finding new love with husband Brendan McLoughlin, and was a touching love song that dropped in fall of 2020.
Further, Lambert went on to perform the track at the CMAs, ending her year with an iconic performance and a song that perfectly sums up her focus and priorities now that she’s with McLoughlin.
