Hometown Harmonies is a salute to three women whose musical artistry was nurtured right here in Arlington! Meet Mickey Guyton, the first Black artist in history to earn a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Album; the multi-Grammy Award-winning Kirstin Maldonado from Pentatonix; and Maren Morris, who has won multiple CMA, ACM, and Grammy awards.
We’re more than a little giddy.
Included in the exhibit is memorabilia curated by the AMA from each artist’s personal collection. We can’t wait for you to get to know these powerhouse women who use their voices to propel their musical genres and to stand up for the greater good.
Mickey Guyton
Mickey Guyton had a musical talent that was cultivated at an early age. She often performed in church choirs, most notably at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington. Guyton’s inspiration to pursue a singing career came when she saw LeAnn Rimes perform “The Star-Spangled Banner ” at a Texas Rangers home game.
While Guyton’s musical style is steeped in country music, what makes it her own is her ability to mix in influences of country, pop, gospel, R&B and hip hop. As Mickey developed her artistry, she enjoyed some early successes but faced many challenges in establishing her own identity. Finally, in 2019, she began writing music that reflected her struggles as a Black woman, including “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?” and “Black Like Me”. “Black Like Me” received significant attention via social media platforms, streaming services, and critics. She described her 2021 debut studio album Remember Her Name as a look into her years living in Nashville, with songs directly addressing experiences of sexism and racism. That same year, Guyton co-hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards with Keith Urban, becoming the first Black woman to host the ceremony. In 2022, she became the first Black artist in history to earn a Grammy Award nomination for Best Country Album as well as two more Grammy nods and three CMT Music Awards nominations. She also performed the National Anthem at Super Bowl LVI in 2022.
Kirstin Maldonado
At eight years old, “Kirstie” Maldonado sang at her mother’s wedding, which started it all. She started performing onstage at Theatre Arlington and joined the Texas All-State Choir. At Martin High School, she studied dance and performed in the show choir, where she met Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi. Eventually, the three would form the a cappella group Pentatonix with Ben Bram and Kevin Olusola. They shot to fame after winning the television competition show, The Sing Off, Season Three (2011).
Since their early success, Pentatonix has skyrocketed in popularity. In addition to touring and appearances on television and in film, including a cameo role in Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), the group has won numerous awards including three Grammys, one in 2017 for Best Country Duo/Group Performance of “Jolene” with Dolly Parton. Maldonado has enjoyed success in solo ventures as well. In 2017, Maldonado released her first EP, L O V E, which debuted at #1 on the iTunes Pop Albums Chart. In 2018, Maldonado made her Broadway debut as the character Lauren in the musical Kinky Boots alongside singer Jake Shears and singer/comedian Wayne Brady.
Maren Morris
Maren Morris, a country music star who blends elements of pop, R&B, and hip-hop, was born and raised in Arlington. After Morris began showing musical talent, her father Scott bought her a guitar when she was 12. As her songwriting improved and her repertoire grew, she performed at venues throughout North Texas including Arlington Music Hall (formerly Johnnie High’s Country Music Revue) and the Grease Monkey Burger Shop and Social Club just blocks away.
Eventually, at the urging of her friend Kacey Musgraves, Morris moved to Nashville, and after about a year, her career began to skyrocket. In 2016, her song “My Church” became her first major hit single, and since then, Morris has won several major awards, including five from the Academy of Country Music, five from the Country Music Association, and one Grammy Award and seventeen nominations. Morris has leveraged her visibility to be an advocate for making the country genre more equitable for fellow artists. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2021, she said, “I’m a white woman in country music. I already have this sort of leg-up. There’s a huge disparity between men and women in our genre, there’s even more of a disparity between white women and black women trying to be in country music.”
Tickets
Admission to Hometown Harmonies is included in the ticket to see Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Collection, Girl in a Country Song: Women of Country Music, and Toni Martin: Butterfly Kisses.
Tickets are on sale now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/28349/arlington-museum-of-art?cobrand=arlingtonmuseumofart
Free Admission for AMA Members
AMA members get free tickets to all exhibits. Information about becoming a member can be found at arlingtonmuseum.org/membership.
Pricing, Hours, and Parking
- Tickets will be available only on the Arlington Museum of Art Etix ticketing site.
- Admission is $15 for seniors (55+); $20 for adults (18-54); $15 for youth (13-17); $5 for children (2-12); and free for infants.
- Military personnel with valid ID can purchase tickets for $5.
- A $5 per person rate is also available for groups over 10.
- The Arlington Museum of Art is open every Tuesday-Saturday from 10am-5pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. The museum is closed on Mondays.
- Free city parking is available along West Main Street as well as the 101 Center parking garage adjacent to the Downtown Library.
About the Arlington Museum of Art
The Arlington Museum of Art is dedicated to championing creativity and providing access to art for the educational enrichment and cultural development of our community. Its forward-thinking curatorial mission drives the museum to present relevant and engaging art exhibits that change several times a year and attract visitors from all over the world.
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