The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
Our tribute to Legends of Yesterday
“Merritt is where the stars come to play.”
Inside one of the oldest heritage buildings in the heart of downtown Merritt is the home of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. This national museum showcases
Ian Tyson’s plaque.
plaques for over 100 Canadian Country Music inductees.
Some of the inductees featured at the hall are:
- Ian Tyson
- Hank Snow
- Ronnie Prophet
- Gary Buck
- Anne Murray
- Gordon Lightfoot
- Wilf Carter …………and many more!
Country Music Hall of Fame – Downtown Merritt BC, Canada
What’s inside – Sites and Sounds
Tour a building over 100 years old . Vinyl records play on a vintage turntable and echo through the hall. Hundreds of records in a growing collection are available for viewing and listening..
Plaques of Inductees
The Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame hosts a display of plaques honouring inductees of the Canadian Country Music Association. They are recognized for their involvement and contribution to country music: singers, songwriters, actors/actresses, managers, sponsors, funders, talent scouts, promoters, musicians, radio and television personnel, yodelers and more.
Memorabilia on display from the National Music Centre.
National Music Centre Memorabilia!
View a rotating collection of Canadian Country Music memorabilia that is currently displayed at the hall.
- Ian Tyson’s hat and cowboy boots
- Gary Buck’s suit
- Wilf Carter’s white performance suit.
These displays are courtesy of the National Music Centre.
The Walk of Stars begins!
Dozens of “Walk of Stars” handprints are displayed in the centre of the Hall. Photo albums and framed pictures capture the visits of past Country Stars who graced our community.
Going Digital! – More things to see!
Paul Brandt, the Hall’s newest inductee, will be on display digitally with new inductees. Touch the screen and view a plaque, song and bio of some of our greatest country stars! he Canadian Country Music Association recognize all the inductees.
About our Community!
As the Canadian Country Music Capital of Canada, the City of Merritt is a great fit for the Canadian country Music Hall of Fame. Located in British Columbia’s southern interior. Merritt celebrates country music with a number of events and activities like our week-long Country Christmas and famous light-up parade, Music in the Park & Square and the Rockin’ River Country Music Festival. Merritt and the Nicola Valley are the perfect showcase for the gritty western heritage and traditional ranching culture which was shaped by our unique landscape.
Things to do – Walk among the stars!
Handprints on display throughout Merritt.
The stars come to play in Merritt. Hunt down the handprints of over 60 country music stars throughout the city – from old time, best loved singers like Johnny Cash and Tanya Tucker to modern icons like Tim McGraw, Aaron Pritchett and Terri Clark. Find them all! Place your hand where your favourite country performers have left their mark. Try them and find your match.
Things to see – Murals!
Walk of Stars Mural Project
This project transformed Merritt into the largest country music art gallery you will ever visit. See over 30 country artists murals painted on our downtown buildings including:
- CMT mural
- Men of Canadian Country Mural with Paul Brandt, George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett
- Alan Jackson
- Women of Canadian Country with Michelle Wright, Caroline Dawn Johnson and Lisa Brokop… and many more.
Have fun posing with your favourite performers. World renowned muralist, Michelle Loughery has brought our community and country music stars to life.
Things to look forward to – 10 Hall of Famers team up with 10 up and coming Canadian artists.
The first ever Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame album was recently recorded. Some of the artists that recorded are:
- Ian Tyson
- Michelle Wright,
- The Good Brothers
- Washboard Union and many more ……..
Canadian Country Music Heritage Society director Ron Sanders says the collaborative album, produced in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, sees 10 hall of famers team up team with 10 up and coming Canadian artists.
“We’re trying to get some more recognition for the Hall of Fame and the people that are inducted into it. We are planning to release the “Then and Now” album at the CCMA’s event in September.”
Recording sessions were videoed at Arc House Studio in Kelowna and will be released as part of a behind-the-scenes series.
The Hall of Fame celebrates the best of Canadian country music! Learn who the inductees are, their contributions to the genre, and how the roots of country music continue to influence musical styles and move our souls.
Canada’s rich fabric of country music songwriters and performers influence far beyond our national borders.
Music is a universal language and yes Canadian country music in particular is a story worth telling and hearing. Join us in the discovery and check out Merritt BC!
Who would you nominate as the Country Music Hall of Fame’s next inductee?
