During your visit to this Nashville attraction, discover an all star line-up of country musicians who have shaped the country music industry over the years during a self-guided tour of the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum. In the Willie Nelson General Store you can shop for treasures unique to Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store and Nashville, Tennessee.
Willie Nelson and Friends Museum
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and learn about the stars who have built and shaped the country music industry into what it is today. To preserve the history and roots of country music, Willie Nelson along with other country music legends have donated personal items and memorabilia to the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum making it the largest museum in the world dedicated to showcasing personal items belonging to country music legends.
Willie Nelson and Friends Museum Highlights
Highlights of the museum include hundreds of famous artifacts that once belonged to Willie Nelson. Take a trip down memory lane and see the first Martin Guitar Willie Nelson used when he debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in November of 1963, Nelson’s signed paycheck for $11.71 was his compensation for playing at the Grand Ole Opry that night. Fast-forward to1979 and see the original CMA Award Willie Nelson received for “Entertainer of the Year.” Not only will you discover hundreds of Willie Nelson’s personal belongings, but items that once belonged to his friends. See the famous Nudie Cohn rhinestone suits worn by Porter Wagoner and Webb Pierce, get inside Patsy Cline’s head as you read pages of her diary, or see Ronnie Milsap’s autographed Playboy Magazine printed completely in braille. Concert outfits once worn by Kenny Rogers, Jeannie Seely, Barbara Mandrell, Ronnie Milsap and Dottie West are also on display.
The Grand Ole Opry Stars
In addition, the museum features an exhibit of candid shots of country music legends taken by Les Leverett, the primary photographer for the Grand Ole Opry and WSM Radio and TV for over 32 years. See, feel and experience Leverett’s passion as you marvel at photographs of country music legends including Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn, and Waylon Jennings.
The Willie Nelson General Store is also Nashville’s largest souvenir and gift shop. If you are looking for any kind of Nashville souvenirs, this is the place to find them! The general store carries a huge assortment of souvenirs unique to Nashville, Jack Daniels and country music including key chains, coffee mugs, shot glasses, western hats, clothing, jewelry, souvenir guitars and specialty foods, snacks and drinks.
You’ll not only find just Willie Nelson items, but also souvenirs and keepsakes that honor Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and other country legends who have shaped Nashville into America’s “Music City.”
Also available to purchase are hundreds of western hats for all ages.
Travel Tips
- Upon admission you will receive a comprehensive four page guide that describes each of the individual showcases and exhibits featured throughout the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum.
- Photography is welcome throughout the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum and General Store.