Hailed as being instrumental in gaining recognition for the area’s musical heritage former Mayor Charlie Peters is being honored with a new exhibit in the Mountain Music Museum. Peters was on the Bristol Tennessee City Council from 1979 until 1984 and is credited with pushing for the cities first formal designation as the birthplace of country music. A series of 1927 recordings known as the “big bang” of commercial country music is exhibited along with a framed copy of that proclamation, letters, photographs and other memorabilia. Tim White, co-founder of the Appalachian Cultural Music Association said on The Steve Hawkins Show on SUPERTALK 92.7 that Peters should have been recognized sooner. The ACMA and Mountain Music Museum recognizes famous people who made this music and took it across the nation and around the world. Peters also helped White get permission to use the RCA Victor logo at the center of the country music mural he painted in 1986. At 88, Peters said he and his family deeply appreciate the recognition and he supports efforts to preserve and promote the region’s musical roots. (bg)