GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, which hosted the Music Tourism Convention earlier this year, is set to unveil a groundbreaking exhibit titled “Highway 61: Traveling America’s Music Highway” on Friday, August 11. This first-of-its-kind exhibit will take visitors on a journey along Highway 61, exploring the iconic music sites and honoring the artists who have played a pivotal role in shaping American music history. The exhibit will run until 2024.

The “Highway 61: Traveling America’s Music Highway” exhibit aims to educate music enthusiasts with its collection of artifacts from renowned artists such as Muddy Waters, Ann Peebles, Dr. John, Bobby Rush and Conway Twitty, among others. Visitors will have the opportunity to delve into the history of these influential musicians through artist interviews, interactive experiences, and even a Juke Joint. Moreover, the exhibit will include a dedicated section commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Recording Academy Memphis Chapter, showcasing significant milestones from the chapter’s storied past.

Emily Havens, Executive Director of GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, expressed her excitement about sharing the stories behind Highway 61, stating, “Passing through Tunica and Clarksdale through Cleveland, Vicksburg, and Natchez, Highway 61 carries incredible stories that have shaped much of music history, especially the blues. We can’t wait to share these stories with our visitors through this first-of-its-kind exhibit.”

Highway 61, which stretches from Memphis in the North to the Louisiana line in the South, has played an integral role in music history.