EAT. PLAY. GO. to Music Memories Museum for a blast to the past

Swainsboro, GA - One local museum in Emanuel County is home to a large private collection of clothing and items owned by hundreds of singers.

Music Memories Museum is about an hour and a half away from Augusta in Swainsboro. 

Owner Michael Bright has collectors items from artists like George Strait, Dolly Parton and Janet Jackson.

"I started with autographs and then I worked myself up to authentic items," Bright said.

One of the items you'll notice when you walk in the door - Gregg Allman's motorcycle.

"This actually came to me in march a year ago actually. It was in storage for over five years and a man walked in the door one day and said hey, I've got something you might be interested in," Bright explained.

Bright's been working on this collection for years. "I've been collecting since the 1980s," he said.

He has country star Hank Williams Jr.'s powder blue suit jacket hanging on the wall. Bright said his first performance was at the Nancy Auditorium in Swainsboro.

"Being Hank Williams Jr.'s first live performance here, it took me awhile to finally find something of his. Took me awhile to get that. It's a really cool piece," Bright said.

He's also collected several items owned by superstar Elvis Presley, including his first record, "That's All Right Mama" and Colonel Tom Parker's hat.

In the back of the museum, Elvis Presley's brown and blue paisley shirt hangs on the wall. It's paired with a letter of authenticity from Presley's father, Vernon.

"That actually came from an auction way back and there actually was a letter actually from his father. Vernon has the official letter and it was in through a charity auction," Bright explained.

Bright said he finds the authentic items at auctions and from families of the singers.

"Even like the Judy Garland piece because what's so special about this, this actually came from her last and fifth husband. He had an auction way back and they sold some items. That came straight from him," Bright said.

Bright said he wants to keep history alive.

"It's not just to preserve the history, but that you will leave here that you saw something that brought back a special memory," he said.

Bright is a gospel singer who spent decades in the music industry.

You can find the music memories museum inside the Main Street Market Antique Mall in Swainsboro. Admission is free.