The Earl Scruggs Center is proud to announce a new special exhibition, Standing Her Ground:
Women in Country Music, opening to the public on February 14, 2020, and running through
September 8, 2020.
For as long as country music has existed in its many forms, including bluegrass and folk, women
have influenced all areas of the country music industry. From performing to songwriting, from
managing to producing, this exhibit honors and shines a light on the important and
groundbreaking contributions of women to this field.
The exhibition profiles many notable women, including Louise Scruggs, who shrewdly guided
the success of Flatt & Scruggs and set the standard for professional managers within the
country music industry. The exhibition includes a display of stage outfits worn by Loretta Lynn
and Connie Smith and objects owned by Alice Randall, the songwriter of “XXX’s and OOO’s (An
American Girl),” a #1 hit for singer Trisha Yearwood. A section dedicated to North Carolinians in
country music profiles such women as award-winning vocalist Brooke Aldridge, banjo player
and old-time musician Samantha Bumgarner, guitarist and songwriter Elizabeth Cotten, country
star Kellie Pickler, and many others.
The Earl Scruggs Center will celebrate the opening of Standing Her Ground: Women in Country
Music with a special donor and member reception on Thursday, February 13. The exhibition will
open to the public on Friday, February 14, at 10:00 am.
As part of programming for Standing Her Ground: Women in Country Music, the Earl Scruggs
Center will screen a documentary about the life and career of legendary musician Alice Gerrard
on Thursday, February 20, at 6:00 pm. You Gave Me A Song offers an intimate portrait of
103 S. Lafayette St.
Shelby, NC 28150
704.487.6233
www.earlscruggscenter.org
Gerrard, known internationally for her contributions to old time and bluegrass music, and her
remarkable journey creating and preserving traditional music. Attendees will have an
opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with Gerrard and filmmaker Kenny Dalsheimer
following the film. This screening event is presented by Come Hear NC. To reserve a seat for this
event, visit www.earlscruggscenter.org/events. For more information on You Gave Me A Song,
visit the documentary website www.alicegerrardfilm.com.
Additional programming for Standing Her Ground: Women in Country Music will be announced
in the coming months.
This special exhibition and all associated programming are made possible through the support
of Presenting Sponsor City of Shelby, Supporting Sponsor Come Hear NC, and private donors.
About the Earl Scruggs Center
Earl Scruggs Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 4 pm with extended hours on
Wednesdays until 6 pm.
The Earl Scruggs Center is a project of Destination Cleveland County, Inc., a non-profit 501©3 whose
mission is to unite our county’s history, heritage, culture and arts to create a vibrant economy while
embracing the future and preserving the past.
