Country Music Hall of Fame plans 'Big Night' all-star concert on YouTube

As it prepares to open its doors back up to the public for the first time in nearly six months, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced plans for what it calls its "most ambitious digital event ever."

The new digital concert "Big Night (At the Museum)" will premiere on YouTube Wednesday, Oct. 28. The format will see Hall of Fame members and other country stars — including Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire and Kane Brown — performing with historic instruments from the museum's vast collection.

The concert will be free to watch on YouTube, but it will also raise funds for the museum, which reports it has "suffered significant financial losses and has been forced to cancel many of its planned educational events" due to the coronavirus pandemic. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to the museum via YouTube Giving, and proceeds will go towards their educational and preservation efforts.

Hall of Fame member-elect Marty Stuart will host and perform on the show. Additional performers — who will be seen performing throughout the museum building— include Alison Brown, Carlene Carter, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Ashley McBryde, Keb’ Mo’, Ricky Skaggs and The War and Treaty. The museum says more artists will be announced ahead of the premiere. 

Last week, the museum announced it would reopen to the public on Sept. 10, with health precautions including temperature checks and mandatory masks for staff and guests older than age 2.

"The museum experience will be slightly different," said museum CEO Kyle Young, "... but our commitment to sharing the country music story has not changed."

"Big Night (At the Museum)" premieres 8 p.m. CT Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020, on the museum’s YouTube channel.