Music and Style

Workshop celebrates Marty Robinson and Katy K country costumes at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Ashley Slayton, DI Multimedia Scholar

Kids equipped with glue sticks, glitter and sequins filled the Country
Music Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday for the third annual Country
Costuming with Katy K workshop.

This year’s event centered on Marty Robbins, a country music
recording artist and began with a brief slideshow and history of
Robbins’ life. Often referred to as country music’s renaissance
man,” Robbins was an actor, author and stock car racer. He was also known
as a pioneer of the fashion frontier.

Following the biography, Katy K led the group on a tour of the
museum’s Robbins exhibit.

“I think this will inspire creativity and maybe we’ll get a
designer out of the bunch,” Katy K said, adding that she looked forward to doing
a session on female influence in country western wear.

Next year, the museum plans an exhibit of Kitty Wells and more options for the kids to choose from, such as fringe and paper hats.

Katy K owns a country costuming shop in the city and has designed for
entertainers such as Jack White and Pee Wee Herman.

Michelle Digionvanni said her children were very excited about the
workshop.

“Both are interested in country music and fashion. She
draws pages and pages of bathing suits and designs things,” she said,
pointing to her 9-year-old daughter, Kara. “This just had them
written all over it.”

Footage of Robbins hosting the Grand Ole Opry and music from his hit
records played while kids glued ribbons to paper vests and colored on
paper doll cut outs.

“We really wanted to bring Marty to life,” said public programs
coordinator Ali Tonn. “I like the combination of the education and the
hands on activity. I’m always surprised at what the kids make.
They’re all very unique.”

Although fewer children attended this year, Katy K said this was actually an
advantage.

“This year they’re getting more attention because there are fewer
of them,” she said. “It’s nice to see the parents are participating
too.”