Whisperin’ Bill Anderson is getting his very own Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit!
Anderson’s exhibit is titled Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See and will open to the public on December 3 and run through March 19, 2023. Guests will learn his life story from childhood, to his baseball pitcher in Georgia. In high school, he was a sports writer and in college was a disc jockey.
The historic museum says that he is “one of the most decorated recording artists, songwriters and entertainers in history.” Anderson is also an accomplished actor and game show host, proving that he can do it all.
“Bill Anderson not only fortified and evolved country music, but his remarkable body of work establishes him as one of the most prolific and preeminent American artists and songsmiths across all genres,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said in a statement. “But it’s his natural curiosity, humanity and ability to forge true, emotional connections with audiences – both as a performer and songwriter – that constantly replenishes his relevance and endears him to so many today.”
How He Got His Nickname
Back in 1957, Bill Anderson wrote “City Lights” on his guitar while on the roof of a hotel in Commerce, Georgia at just nineteen. The song went No. 1 for Ray Price which also cemented his career in country music. Overall, he has had 80 records on the Billboard charts as an artist. Forty of his songs have reached the Top 20.
For the last seven consecutive decades, other artists have recorded his music and made it into hits. His music has been recorded by James Brown, Elvis Costello, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Louvin Brothers, Dean Martin, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Connie Smith, George Strait, among others.
Anderson got his nickname “Whisperin’ Bill” after fans adored his soft-spoken vocal style. It almost sounds like he’s talking to you in a conversation. He recently celebrated his 60th anniversary of being a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He is still going strong working with artists like Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, and Jamey Johnson in recent years.
All About Bill Anderson’s Exhibit
Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See will include countless memorabilia and historic items. Fans will also be able to use touchscreen interactive kiosks to learn even more about his incredible career. The archives will include exclusive performances, interviews, and behind the scenes content.
Anderson’s personal typewriter that he used to write music and fanmail will be on display. Stage clothes, boots, original songwriting sheets, and instruments will also be present. Even his leather baseball glove that he used while at Avondale High School is in the museum.
“I grew up dreaming of the day they’d put my ball glove into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, never dreaming that one day it would end up in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville,” Bill Anderson. “But now that old glove, along with some guitars, a few rhinestone suits and some scribbled song lyrics are on display in the Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See exhibit in Music City. When the museum does an exhibit, they really do it up right, and I’m honored to know that I am now a small part of their incredible legacy. I’m not sure I could have ever seen this far.”
On Saturday, December 4, Anderson will be hosting a songwriter’s session, interview, and performance at the Ford Theater. Tickets will go on sale on November 5 at noon Central.
