International Country Music Conference

08/28/2026

Shawn Pitts and McNairy County Music Hall of Fame play an important role in music advocacy.

The Trail of Music Legends celebrates the people and stories that helped shape McNairy County’s remarkable musical history, and we want to ensure that story continues to be shared for years to come.

We’re launching a fundraiser to restore and replace existing markers along the trail and support its ongoing maintenance. There are two ways to help: Adopt a marker and fund the refurbishment of the marker of your choice, or make a donation of any amount toward general trail maintenance. Every contribution helps care for a piece of McNairy County’s musical story.

Thank you for supporting this project and helping us preserve the Trail of Music Legends for the next generation.

08/27/2026

ICMC friend Jocelyn Neal shares the Carolina Bluegrass Band in Ireland with Rhiannon Giddens.

08/27/2026

ICMC’s Olivia Beaudry of The Center for Popular Music shares. ICMC friend Beverly Keel comments on Dolly.

The CPM made the news!

Our archive pop-up exhibit of Dolly Parton related items from a Funko Pop and cake mix to LPs, magazines with articles about her was used in a local ABC news segment memorializing Parton's life and work.

You can watch the video at the below link and hear our SBCME dean Beverly Keel's thoughts about DollyParton's passing.

https://www.wkrn.com/video/mtsus-beverly-keel-speaks-on-dollys-legacy/12110495/

08/27/2026

American Folklife Center shares Stetson Kennedy.

During the week of August 27, 1939, 87 years ago this week, Stetson Kennedy and his team documented singers and musicians in Florida. One of the performers that week was Kennedy's wife Edith. This photo shows Stetson recording Edith and Robert Harrison photographing her--or, more likely, posing for a photo! Find the whole collection they made at the first link:

https://www.loc.gov/collections/florida-folklife-from-the-works-progress-administration/about-this-collection/?loclr=fbafc

On August 27, 2011, 72 years after a productive day of recording, Stetson passed away. He led an eventful life in between the recording trip and his final days. At the second link, see a video of Peggy Bulger's lecture on Stetson and his work as a folklorist and activist:

https://www.loc.gov/item/webcast-8285/?loclr=fbafc

08/27/2026

Gram Parsons shares Nudie Cohn. Raeanne Rubenstein Photography participated with a great ICMC photography exhibit in the foyer of the Frist Lecture Hall.

08/27/2026

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention shares a Delmore Brothers tribute.

A special night of music is coming to Athens State University.

Join us on September 29 for the album pre-release party celebrating A Century of Strings, Stories, & Songs: A Tribute to The Delmore Brothers.

Be among the first to hear songs from this highly anticipated tribute album performed live by an incredible lineup of artists.

Currently scheduled to appear:
Doyle Lawson & Jerry Salley
Marty Raybon & Jimmy Fortune
Alex Miller
Bradley Walker
Darin & Brooke Aldridge

Tuesday, September 29 | 7 pm
McCandless Hall | Athens State University

Tickets start at $30, with admission + commemorative CD, vinyl or USB packages available for $40.

Purchase your tickets today! https://athensstate.ticketspice.com/the-delmore-brothers-album-release-party