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MoreDonor Impact Stories highlight the contributions that help bring NMAAM’s mission to life. From funding galleries to supporting educational initiatives, these stories showcase the meaningful partnerships that enable the museum to preserve, celebrate, and share the legacy of African American music.
Sometimes the most meaningful partnerships begin with a simple visit. When country music icon Billy Ray Cyrus walked through NMAAM’s doors in early 2025 to film segments for Netflix’s upcoming documentary “My Black Country,” something unexpected happened. What started as a scheduled shoot became the foundation for one of our most significant artist partnerships to date.
As Billy Ray explored our exhibitions and learned about NMAAM’s mission to preserve and celebrate African American musical heritage, he was moved by the stories our galleries tell. The complete narrative of American music—including the often-overlooked contributions of Black artists to country music—resonated deeply with the artist who has spent decades bridging musical genres and communities.
“The museum tells the complete story of American music,” Billy Ray reflected after his visit. That authentic connection sparked an idea: What if he could use his platform to support NMAAM’s vital work?
Within weeks, Billy Ray’s team approached NMAAM with an extraordinary proposal. He wanted to record a charity single—a reimagined version of “Over the Rainbow”—with 100% of proceeds benefiting the museum. Not only would he donate his time and performance, but he’d also cover all production costs through his Roam Man Records.
The project brought together an incredible lineup of talent:
All three artists donated their performances entirely, ensuring every dollar generated would support NMAAM’s mission.
The project’s charitable nature created a remarkable ripple effect throughout the music industry. Sony Music Publishing, recognizing the cultural significance and charitable purpose, granted a rare gratis sync license—waiving fees that would typically cost thousands of dollars.
“This level of industry support doesn’t happen by accident,” notes Dexter Evans, NMAAM’s Sr. Advisor for Strategic Advancement. “It happens when people believe in your mission and see the genuine impact you’re making in the community.”
While the financial benefit to NMAAM is significant—with 100% of streaming and sales proceeds flowing directly to the museum—the partnership represents something even more valuable: validation and amplification of our mission.
When a artist of Billy Ray Cyrus’s stature chooses to support NMAAM, it sends a powerful message to the broader community about the importance of preserving African American musical heritage. It introduces our museum to new audiences who may never have known about our work.
The music video, filmed entirely within NMAAM’s state-of-the-art facilities, showcases our museum to millions of potential visitors. Every stream, every share, every social media post extends our reach far beyond Broadway.
Billy Ray’s generosity didn’t happen in a vacuum. It was possible because of the strong foundation built by our community of supporters—donors like you who have helped establish NMAAM as a credible, impactful institution worth supporting.
When major artists see a museum that’s professionally managed, community-supported, and making real impact, they want to be part of that story. Your ongoing support creates the conditions where these extraordinary partnerships can flourish.
“Over the Rainbow” is now streaming on all major platforms, with every listen generating support for NMAAM’s educational programming, exhibitions, and community outreach. But more importantly, it represents a model for how authentic partnerships can advance our mission.
This is just the beginning. When the music industry sees institutions like NMAAM as worthy partners—thanks to the foundation built by supporters like you—even bigger opportunities become possible.
Your support makes partnerships like this possible. When you invest in NMAAM, you’re not just supporting a museum—you’re building a platform that attracts the attention and support of music’s biggest names. Consider making a gift today to help us continue this important work.
