About
Local Music History
In the alleys and the honky-tonks of Jackson, TN, a rich mixture of country music, blues, and moonshine created the setting for many burgeoning musicians. Artists such as Carl Perkins, Sonny Boy Williamson, Eddy Arnold, Jonathan Singleton, and LOLO started their journeys in and around Jackson, TN.
Opened in downtown Jackson, Tennessee, the Legends of Tennessee Music Museum houses an extensive collection of memorabilia and relics that tell the story of those that came before. Located between the renowned rock and blues of Memphis and the iconic country music of Nashville, Jackson influenced the genres that make up the soundtrack of our diverse region. From Rockabilly’s Carl Perkins to the soulful sounds of Sonny Boy Williamson, you’ll leave with the stories that shaped music we hear today.
The Building
The museum began its history as Jackson’s first public library. The Jackson Free Library opened in 1903 after more than two years of planning by Dr. Mark Matthews, the minister of a local Presbyterian church, and a grant from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In January 1987, Jackson Recreation and Parks employees began rehabilitating the building for the purpose of serving the Jackson-Madison County community. The newly named Carnegie Center for Arts and History reopened on November 18, 1988.
In 2004, a nonprofit started its mission to create a museum commemorating the voices and musical talent of West Tennessee. In the following years, countless original relics were collected primarily by local entrepreneur Randy Williams, a Jackson native and friend of Carl Perkins. The Legends of Tennessee Music Museum began to take shape over the course of a decade as Williams worked with museum officials to install displays to create the building we know today. Ten years later, in 2014, the Legends of Tennessee Music Museum was officially opened to the public with over 500 relics of preserved music history from local artists, current performers, and even memorabilia from venues such as the Hard Rock Cafe.
Thanks to the work and dedication of museum curators and local volunteers, the legacy of West Tennessee’s performing artists will be preserved and shared with future generations for decades to come.
