Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition Visits NMAAM
On Friday, March 20th, 2026, the National Museum of African American Music had the honor of hosting a visit from the legendary musician, Ronnie DeVoe, best known for his work in the bands New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe. His visit aligned with New Edition’s concert at Bridgestone Arena across the street.
New Edition formed in Boston in 1978 as an R&B/Pop vocal quintet originally including Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, and Ralph Tresvant. They quickly rose to meteoric fame as the best-selling boy band of the 1980’s, with hits like “If It Isn’t Love” and “Mr. Telephone Man” topping the Billboard charts. Throughout the years, the lineup changed as the group matured and sought to branch out in new musical direction. During a hiatus in 1989, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, and Ronnie DeVoe decided to form their own trio, calling it Bell Biv DeVoe after their surnames.
The trio, also known as BBD, is best known for their multi-platinum selling debut album, Poison, released March 20th, 1990, in which they combined elements of classic R&B and soul with the more modern hip hop. Mr. DeVoe’s visit to NMAAM aligned perfectly with the 36th anniversary of this iconic album’s release.
Mr. DeVoe sat with our curatorial staff for a “digital diary”, adding to the museum’s collection of intimate, recorded interviews with each major artist who visits, and he got to tour the galleries in which he is featured. He also met and spoke with NMAAM leadership, including Executive Director, Bill Jeffries, and Board Member, Brian Sexton.
That evening, NMAAM — in conjunction with 30 & Up Nashville — hosted a Velvet Rope Experience for the New Edition concert. The Velvet Rope is a pre-party hosted at the museum after-hours to get fans energized for local concerts of major African American artists. On Friday night, the experience was sold out, the spirits were flowing, and the dance floor was rocking. Songs by New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe permeated the atmosphere. It was a perfect celebration of not only the Way Tour’s stop in Nashville, but also the 36th anniversary of Poison and the visit from Mr. DeVoe himself.
Days like this are central to accomplishing the museum’s mission of preserving, celebrating, and educating. The digital diaries preserve the primary source histories of artists who have majorly contributed to American culture. The Velvet Rope joyfully celebrates the music that shaped a generation. And the concert promotion educates younger generations of music-lovers, who weren’t there when these boy bands first rose to fame, about the major hits of the 20th century, which undoubtedly shaped the popular music that was to follow.
National Museum of African American Music: Music Starts Here.
