Opening Reception
The Baldwin Photographic Gallery
Thursday, March 20, 2014
6:30-8:30 PM
A new show titled “Images of Country” opens at The Baldwin Gallery this Thursday. The exhibit features photographs from six decades of country music as seen through the lenses of three distinguished photographers: Harold Baldwin, Jim McGuire, and Russ Harrington. The exhibit runs from March 20 to April 17.
Retired photography Professor Harold Baldwin’s works were shot backstage at the Grand Ole Opry between 1969 and 1971. Professor Baldwin established the photography program at MTSU fifty years ago as well as launching the Baldwin Gallery. The new gallery space was made possibly by a gift from professor baldwin, and we are delighted to be able to feature some of his creative work in it.
Russ Harrington studied photography under Professor Harold Baldwin at MTSU. Russ established a photography practice in Nashville. More than 600 covers later, Harrington has captured revealing images of the world’s most-photographed musicians and performers, including Loretta Lynn and Jack White, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, and Brad Paisley. His portfolio features a who’s who of the music business: Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Al Green, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire are just a few.
Jim McGuire learned how to use a camera in Vietnam in the Air Force in 1964. Later, he began shooting bluegrass music festivals in Northern Virginia, which led to shooting album covers. McGuire moved to Nashville in 1972, where he has spent years shooting covers for major labels and big stars like Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrell, Waylon Jennings, and Bill Monroe— all out of a small storefront studio. His body of black-and-white images of musicians now known as The Nashville Portraits is one of his most satisfying achievements.