When I visited the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music in downtown Nashville two weeks ago, workers were still installing flooring and very few artifacts were in place.

“You’ll see the cases are not filled yet,” said the museum’s executive director Steve Gilreath, while describing what the displays would ultimately contain. “We’re still building the holders that go with them. These are all precious items.”

 The rush to get the place ready to open is a milestone in itself — especially for the institution housed within it, the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Gospel Music Association established the Hall in 1971, and it’s since held induction ceremonies and welcomed nearly 200 members. But for those 50-plus years, it’s been without a physical location, a reality that’s relegated it to s

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