Les Leverett Photographic Exhibit at the Willie Nelson and Friends Museum.

We’re very proud at the Willie Nelson Museum is to announce an exciting new Les Leverett photographic exhibit opening very soon – an historic country music photographic collection taken by long-time Grand Ole Opry photographer and Nashville resident Les Leverett.

Les Leverett’s photographs have been seen on hundreds of album covers, books, magazines, newspapers and video. Les’ photographic career at the Grand Ole Opry spanned more than 32 years. His love of the Grand Ole Opry and its many stars are evident throughout the images captured through the lens of his trusty Nikon camera.

You’ll need to visit the Museum in person to fully appreciate the images Les captured during his career. It’s simply not possible to convey the quality and uniqueness of his work over the internet.

But, just to give you a sampling of what you’ll see I've included a few examples of his work:

Take a look at this shot of George Jones tuning and posing with his guitar shot by Les in November of 1968.

And for the Johnny Cash fans (and who isn’t) wouldn’t you like to have been there with Les when he shot this photo on March 23rd of 1963. Johnny Cash was on stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville alongside Carl Perkins, Marshall Grant, Lightnin’ Chance, Willie Ackerman, Roy Acuff and announcers Tom Hansard and T. Tommy Kutrer.

The second shot of the "Man in Black" was taken at the Grand Ole Opry on July 24, 1971.

Ever wonder what it must feel like for a new artist to be asked to join the Grand Ole Opry? I’m sure it’s hard to put that feeling into words. But as they say, a photograph is worth a thousand words – as a young Loretta Lynn displays upon being asked by Opry manager Ott Devine to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry on September 25th, 1962.

And how’s this for a collection of country music superstars? Les captured this historic shot upon their arrival in New York City at La Guardia airport. The group includes Patsy Cline, Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Jim Reeves, Faron Young and Grandpa Jones.

A young Conway Twitty during a Decca Records recording session talking with producer Owen Bradley on November 2nd of 1965.

And yes, Les Leverett also captured quite a few images of Willie Nelson. However, maybe none of them carries more significance than this one shot of Willie’s first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as a regular cast member on November 24 of 1963.

It may be hard to believe but Les has captured many, many more photographs like these that chronicle the history of the Grand Ole Opry and the stars who made it was it is today. And we look forward to displaying many of them in Willie’s Museum for everyone to enjoy.

Be sure and say "Hi" to Gary Leverett (Les' son) when you stop in. He works here at the store and museum and can give you some real insight about his Dad and his years photographing the stars of the Grand Ole Opry.

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