Scribbled lyrics to country songsmith: Exhibit explores music of Whisperin' Bill Anderson

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — His fascination with music started at age 3. He learned to play guitar at 11. And at 19, while overlooking stoplights in a small town in Georgia, he wrote "City Lights."

It's a song that soared to the top of country charts and kicked off Bill Anderson's career in country music that has spanned more than six decades.

With a nod to Anderson's lyrics "A bright array of city lights as far as I can see," the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is set to unveil an exhibit exploring the songwriter's musical legacy titled "Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See."

The display will take fans on a journey from Anderson's childhood days in Georgia to his time working as one of the most decorated recording artists, songwriters and entertainers in history.

The exhibit is adorned with keepsakes Anderson treasures the most like his Rawlings leather glove he used as a pitcher for his high school baseball team in 1955, his 1958 Martin D-28 often called his "second voice," rhinestone-studded suits from the 60s, custom boots embellished with initials that stand for Whisperin' Bill Anderson, and his handwritten lyrics and corrections for "Give It Away" that yielded a No. 1 hit for George Strait.

"I grew up dreaming of the day they'd put my ball glove into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, never dreaming that one day it would end up in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville," said Bill Anderson. "But now that old glove, along with some guitars, a few rhinestone suits and some scribbled song lyrics are on display in the Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See exhibit in Music City. When the museum does an exhibit, they really do it up right, and I'm honored to know that I am now a small part of their incredible legacy. I'm not sure I could have ever seen this far."

James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, George Strait, Dean Martin and Connie Smith have all recorded songs by Anderson. "Whisperin' Bill" has launched 80 records to the Billboard charts as a recording artist with singles reaching country's Top 20 more than 40 times. And he's not stopping there, Anderson continues to thrive as a contemporary songwriter in Nashville collaborating in recent years with Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and Jamey Johnson.

"Bill Anderson not only fortified and evolved country music, but his remarkable body of work establishes him as one of the most prolific and preeminent American artists and songsmiths across all genres," said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. "But it's his natural curiosity, humanity and ability to forge true, emotional connections with audiences – both as a performer and songwriter – that constantly replenishes his relevance and endears him to so many today."

Known for his hits like "The Tip of My Fingers," "Walk Out Backwards," "Po' Folks," "Mama Sang a Song," "Still" and "Bright Lights and Country Music," Anderson has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 60 years. He has also been honored with inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the National Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.

The "Bill Anderson: As Far as I Can See" exhibit will run from Dec. 3, 2021, through March 19, 2023. Learn more here.