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Photography By Ear by Charmaine Lanham Opens November 18

The Tennessee Arts Commission Gallery will exhibit, from November 18, 2016 until January 13, 2017,  Charmaine Lanham’s collection of photographs that celebrate legendary bluegrass and country musicians who performed in Tennessee

By Krisha Adams, Director of Visual Arts, Craft, Media and Design —

Santa Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs, Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, December 1, 1985
Santa Bill Monroe & Ricky Skaggs Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, December 1, 1985

Nashville-based photojournalist, Charmaine Lanham honed her pen, ear and eye during the 1980s and ’90s as an insider to newly emerging bluegrass and country music circles. As one of the original owners of Nashville’s iconic Station Inn, Lanham had personal access to bluegrass and country recording artists of the day.

Her photos often feature candid on and offstage moments that capture a gesture, a tweak of a smile or a poignant moment shared between musicians. Over the years, Lanham has catalogued thousands of photographs that have documented country and bluegrass musicians that performed and passed down their skills to a growing audience.

This exhibition of 24 largely black and white photographs allows viewers to wander down a country road 30-plus years into the past to revisit beloved musicians such as Johnny and June Carter Cash, Bill Monroe, Vassar Clements, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Martin, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, Béla Fleck and others. Most of these historical photographic gems have rarely been on view.

To preview her photos online, click here. To schedule a gallery tour, contact Krishna Adams at 615.532.9798. For ADA inquires, contact Kim Johnson at 615.532.9797.