2026 Poets and Prophets and Nashville Cats Programs Announced at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has announced its 2026 Poets and Prophets and Nashville Cats programs, which celebrate influential figures in country music through in-depth interviews. Nashville Cats highlights musicians and session singers who have supported artists in the studio or on tours, while Poets and Prophets showcases songwriters who have made significant contributions to the genre. The interviews will be accompanied by photos, film, and recordings, with artists signing commemorative posters after the programs. The programs will be hosted by museum writer-editor Allison Moorer for Poets and Prophets and Jon Freeman for Nashville Cats. Admission is included with museum entry and free for members, but a program ticket is required due to limited seating. The programs will take place at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater, with ticketing information available on the museum's website.
The Poets and Prophets lineup for this year includes Josh Osborne, Ashley Gorley, and Pat McLaughlin. Josh Osborne, a prolific songwriter, has penned numerous #1 hits for artists like Kenny Chesney, Sam Hunt, and Blake Shelton, earning him two Grammy Awards. Ashley Gorley holds the record for the most #1 country songs written and has received multiple accolades, including ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pat McLaughlin, a revered singer-songwriter, has had his songs recorded by various artists and won a Grammy for Best American Roots Song in 2021.
The Nashville Cats series will feature Jerry Douglas, Wendy Moten, and John Jorgenson. Jerry Douglas, known for his innovative dobro playing, has won multiple Grammy Awards and is a member of Alison Krauss & Union Station. Wendy Moten, a versatile vocalist, has worked with artists like Vince Gill, Faith Hill, and Martina McBride, and was a runner-up on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2021. John Jorgenson, a skilled guitarist, has made significant contributions to country music through his work with the Desert Rose Band and the Hellecasters, earning him multiple awards, including the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year.
The Poets and Prophets and Nashville Cats interview series have been a staple at the museum for nearly two decades, featuring over 100 esteemed musicians, singers, and songwriters. Stay tuned for more upcoming events and programs at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.