The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will spotlight acclaimed musician John Jorgenson as part of its in-depth interview series, Nashville Cats, on Saturday, August 8, at 2:30 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater. More Entertainment News
Jorgenson is one of three 2026 honorees selected for the series, which recognizes respected musicians and session singers who have played a major role behind the scenes, both in the recording studio and on the road.
The program will be moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and will include rare photos, film clips and recordings. Following the interview, Jorgenson will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters.
Nashville Cats is included with museum admission and is free for museum members. Seating is limited, and a program ticket is required. Join the waitlist for this event here.
Jorgenson’s versatile guitar work and creative arrangements helped bring new energy to country music in the 1980s and 1990s. Raised in Redlands, California, by musical parents, he learned piano, clarinet, ukulele and guitar before he was a teenager and later began performing professionally at Disneyland.
He became involved in Southern California’s rockabilly and country music scene before joining the Desert Rose Band with Chris Hillman, formerly of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. With Jorgenson contributing musical arrangements, the band released five albums between 1987 and 1993 and earned seven Top Ten country hits, including the No. 1 songs “He’s Back and I’m Blue” and “I Still Believe in You.”
In 1990, Jorgenson formed the Hellecasters with guitarists Jerry Donahue and Will Ray. The trio released three acclaimed albums known for their impressive triple-guitar sound. As a session musician, Jorgenson has played on recordings by Mary Chapin Carpenter, Carlene Carter, Kenny Chesney, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt and many others.
He also served as musical director for the television programs Hot Country Nights and ABC’s Delta and was named the Academy of Country Music’s Guitarist of the Year in 1990, 1991 and 1992. In 1994, he joined Elton John’s band, performing live and on albums with the superstar for six years.
Today, Jorgenson continues to perform with his gypsy jazz group, the John Jorgenson Quintet.
Jorgenson is the final artist to be honored this year as part of the museum’s Nashville Cats series. Jerry Douglas was featured on March 7, and Wendy Moten was featured on May 16.
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