The museum is divided into cities that have a history of recorded music like Detroit, Nashville, Muscle Shoals, L.A., Memphis, and N.Y. All of these places had musicians who were there when the recording industry was evolving and were able to play whatever was needed of them regardless of style. They had nick names like The Swampers, The A TEAM, The Memphis Boys, The FUNK BROTHERS, and The WRECKING CREW. Some of these studio bands actually became hit bands themselves like “Booker T and The M.G.'s" and “TOTO".
During the late 50's though the mid 80's, these groups of studio musicians played on over eighty to ninety percent of all the records recorded in these music centers.

Nashville is known as the center of country music but few realize how many other styles of music have been recorded here in the past and present. Megadeath, Grand Funk Railroad, Ray Charles, Paul McCartney and Wings, No Doubt, John Mayer, Gladys Knight, and Sheryl Crow barely scratch the surface of Nashville’s different artists and genres.  Songs like “Dust In The Wind" by Kansas, "Heart of Gold " by Neil Young, and "Lay Lady Lay" by Bob Dylan were also recorded here in music city, to name a few. Even Jimi Hendrix said, “That’s where I learned to play really…Nashville, TN.” (LA Free Press 1967)

From Hank Williams Sr. to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, there is something of interest for everyone to see at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.