The life and career of country music superstar Brad Paisley is highlighted with a current exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN. The exhibition, Brad Paisley: Diary of a Player, is on display through May 14th.
The exhibition presents never-before-seen drawings and illustrations from Paisley’s childhood, alongside a stunning collection of his storied instruments, performance clothing, manuscripts, awards, photographs, childhood mementos and other items from Paisley’s life and career.
Included in the exhibition is the “Heart of the South Diamond,” a Johnathon Arndt Gallery of Jewels creation. Last year, at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards, Paisley and his wife, actress and author Kimberly Williams-Paisley, shared the very special jewel. Celebrating the 50th Annual CMA Awards, celebrity jeweler and designer Johnathon Arndt created an iconic piece named Heart of the South Diamond—featuring a one-of-a-kind, over 20 carat internally flawless Canary yellow diamond anchored in a setting of over 15 carats of brilliant white diamonds. Kimberly wore the diamond attached to a Johnathon Arndt designed necklace featuring 42 carats of additional brilliant white diamonds, with a pair of matching Johnathon Arndt internally flawless diamond stud earrings and finished the look with an internally flawless diamond ring, with a combined total of 28 million U.S. dollars. Before the curtain rose on the show, Arndt attached “Heart of the South Diamond” pendant to Paisley’s guitar strap for the opening performance. Following the opening, Arndt transformed “Heart of the South Diamond” into a lapel pin that Paisley featured on his tuxedo throughout the show. Later “Heart of the South Diamond” became a beautiful ring which Kimberly enjoyed for the remainder of the evening.
Johnathon Arndt wanted to create something spectacular that could be recognized in four different designs, worn as a pendant, lapel pin, necklace and as a ring. This is the first time in history that such a special internally flawless diamond has been featured in four iconic designs and worn on the red carpet and on stage. The inspiration for the design came from the Paisleys and their philanthropic heart towards humanity and their love for all. What better place than the heart of America and The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to feature “Heart of the South Diamond.”
