Country Music Hall of Fame Spotlights Backup Singing Star Wendy Moten

The museum's Nashville Cats series will feature the acclaimed vocalist in an upcoming program.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:20am

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An extreme close-up of Wendy Moten's hand holding a vintage microphone, with the texture of the skin and metal captured in dramatic, high-contrast lighting to create a glamorous, abstract visual representation of her career as a backup singer.The Country Music Hall of Fame celebrates the unsung vocal talents of backup singer Wendy Moten, whose powerful voice has supported countless hit recordings.Memphis Today

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will feature vocalist Wendy Moten in an upcoming program for its in-depth interview series, Nashville Cats. Moten is one of three 2026 honorees chosen by the museum to spotlight renowned musicians and session singers who have played important roles in supporting artists in the recording studio or on concert tours.

Why it matters

Wendy Moten's career as a backup singer has spanned decades, lending her powerful vocals to a diverse range of country, pop, and R&B artists. The Nashville Cats series shines a light on the unsung heroes of the music industry who have contributed significantly to hit recordings and live performances.

The details

The program featuring Moten will take place on Saturday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m. in the museum's Ford Theater. The interview will be moderated by museum writer-editor Jon Freeman and will be illustrated with rare photos, film, and recordings. After the program, Moten will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters. Moten is the second artist to be honored this year as part of the museum's Nashville Cats series, following Jerry Douglas in March, with the final program featuring John Jorgenson on Aug. 8.

  • The Moten program will take place on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:30 p.m.
  • Jerry Douglas was featured in the Nashville Cats series on March 7, 2026.
  • The final Nashville Cats program of 2026 will feature John Jorgenson on Aug. 8.

The players

Wendy Moten

A professional singer since the age of 16, Wendy Moten has lent her powerful vocals as a backup singer to a diverse range of artists, including Julio Iglesias, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, and Vince Gill. She was also a runner-up on the NBC singing competition 'The Voice' in the early 2020s.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a renowned institution that honors and preserves the history of country music. Its Nashville Cats series spotlights the contributions of renowned musicians and session singers who have played important roles in supporting artists in the recording studio or on concert tours.

Jon Freeman

Jon Freeman is a writer and editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum who will moderate the interview with Wendy Moten as part of the Nashville Cats series.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Moten program on May 16 are on sale now through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's website.

The takeaway

The Nashville Cats series at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum provides a valuable platform to recognize the unsung heroes of the music industry, like Wendy Moten, whose contributions as backup singers have been integral to the success of countless hit recordings and live performances.