Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me Alan Jackson Has a New Museum?

Granted, there was a lot going on for ol’ Alan Jackson at the end of June when this thing was first announced. That’s porbably why it slid under many people’s radar. Jackson officially played his final, full-length concert at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on June 27th to an extra capacity crowd, and to throngs that watched it on video screens on Lower Broadway and elsewhere. Along with Jackson himself, a star-studded cavalcade of performers showed up to pay tribute to Jackson, capped off by a couple of duets with old friend George Strait.

But amid all the fracas and announcements, Alan Jackson officially opened a museum in the Lower Broadway corridor at 121 3rd Avenue South. It’s near where the Johnny Cash Museum is also located. Called the Alan Jackson’s Silverbelly Whiskey Distillery and Museum, it’s part whiskey works, part shrine to Mr. Chattahoochee.

If you’re asking me, they’re sort of burying the lede with that title. I’m sure Silverbelly Whiskey is excellent, but few things top Alan Jackson, and it’s good to see that his legacy will be preserved in Nashville. But to keep a business viable mere steps off of Broadway, you’ probably need a bigger selling point, and whiskey appears to be Alan’s.

The location is where you can see Alan’s signature spirit go from the “barrel to the bottle,” and watch it being blended, proofed, bottled and labelled onsite. Whiskey flights, cocktails, bottles for sale, and even a “bottle your own” experience are available.

But of course the location also houses hundreds of photos, memorabilia, instruments, stage outfits, awards show attire from Alan and his wife, a boot collection, and perhaps the crown jewel of the museum, the baby blue 1958 Harley-Davidson Panhead motorcycle Jackson purchased after signing his first record deal, parked beside a trike and bicycle he owned when growing up. It’s the same motorcycle that can be seem on the A Lot About Livin’ (And a Little ‘Bout Love) album cover.

The collection also includes Alan’s ripped jeans, boots, and water skies he sported in the “Chattahoochee” music video. And yes, there is even space for live music.

But don’t you worry, the spot won’t become one of those Lower Broad tourist traps. Alan Jackson already has a multi-story establishment up the street called AJ’s Good Time Bar that’s been open for about a decade. Aside from Robert’s Western World right across the street, that’s really the best place to see actual country music in the entire Lower Broadway entertainment district.

For more information and to get tickets to the Alan Jackson Museum, visit alanjacksonmuseum.com.