RENFRO VALLEY, Ky. — A map in the lobby of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum shows the impact the Bluegrass State has had on the music industry.

        It shows the home counties of some of the nation's biggest stars, from Bill Monroe and Loretta Lynn to the Judds, the Backstreet Boys and some 300 other singers, songwriters, musicians and promoters.

        Suzie New, a music promoter from Pikeville, drove nearly three hours to tour the museum.

        “I'm impressed,” she said. “You stand there and look at all those names, and it's hard to believe they're all from Kentucky.”

        Ms. New's hometown alone accounts for two of today's biggest country stars — Patty Loveless and Dwight Yoakam. Ms. Lynn grew up about 45 minutes north of Pikeville in Butcher Hollow.

        “When people see that map, it hits them how big the Kentucky music industry is, and how much Kentuckians have dominated the country music industry, in particular,” said Rob Rumpke, a consultant to the hall of fame.

        Hundreds of music fans crowded into the $6 million museum for their first glimpse inside. Past the lobby, they peered into huge glass cases that held memorabilia from entertainers inducted in the hall of fame earlier this year, including Ms. Lynn, Mr. Monroe and Rosemary Clooney.

        Others inducted in the inaugural group were The Everly Brothers, Clyde Julian “Red” Foley, John Lair, Tom T. Hall, Jean Ritchie, Merle Travis, Louis Marshall “Grandpa” Jones, Bradley Kincaid and The Osborne Brothers.

        Curator Terri Anderson said great effort went into arranging the exhibits that contain such relics as one of Ms. Lynn's rhinestone-covered gowns, Mr. Yoakam's famous torn jeans, Grandpa Jones' trademark overalls, even Mr. Travis' custom-made guitar.

        “They all wanted to be a part of the hall of fame and museum,” Ms. Anderson said. “They were all very generous with providing items for the exhibits.”

        Ms. Anderson said the list of Kentuckians who have ties to the music industry isn't yet complete. She said she is hearing nearly every day about additional ones who have been overlooked.

        “We want to find them so we can get them showcased here, too,” she said.

        The museum's look at Kentucky music goes back to the time when singers and musicians routinely played on courthouse steps and baseball fields after traveling around town announcing their performances on loudspeakers.

        “The roots of our Kentucky music history goes back to the front porches,” Mr. Rumpke said. “Music is just such a huge part of who we are as Kentuckians. That's why the hall of fame and museum are so important to the state.”

Dioceses paid $5.7M in abuse cases
Plan seeks changes in home-selling rules
Teachers reject merit-pay plan
Deceased officers honored
New Erpenbeck lawyer seen as top trial talent
Soaking could aid Hoosier farmers
Anderson moves on mall plan
Closed meetings fuel feud
Four committed to priesthood
Judge: Teen must be tried in killing
Message defines ministry
New fire station dedicated
Tristate A.M. Report
MCNUTT: Neighborhoods
SAMPLES: Birth control
THOMPSON: Faith Matters
Former school boss in Reading has new job
Teacher returns as volunteer
Warren MRDD weighing request for new tax levy
Advocacy group denounces Mega Millions game
NASCAR gets some schooling
Panel to consider sites for pollution cleanup
Woman sues, claiming sandwich burn
Wright State considering a two-tiered tuition hike
Court: Admission not confidential
Expanded Boone farmers market open
Kentucky News Briefs
Ky. board backs cancer-fighting tobacco research
Music hall of fame now open
N. Ky. tries same-sex classes
Re-enactment basis for festival
Soldier charged in baby's death
Spring planting behind schedule