The Obama Years

In 2008 the second presidential debate was scheduled to be held at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. The debate pitted Democrat Sen. Barack Obama against Republican Sen. John McCain. NBC’s Tom Brokaw was the moderator in a debate that featured a townhall format. The financial bailout of 2008 was the main focus of the night. Polls taken after the event gave Obama a decided win over McCain in the 90 minute engagement.

It was only natural that, to publicize the debate, the University would turn to the iconic Hatch Show Print company in downtown Nashville. The printing firm had been doing business in the community since 1879. The Hatch Brothers, founders of the firm, were noted for saying, “Advertising without posters is like fishing without worms.” The printers are known for their own unique look. The letterpress printshop craftsmen carve images into wood and metal blocks to provide a template. They then roll ink into sections of the images before laying paper down and pressing out the poster. The final result is a unique piece of art.

In the beginning the company produced posters for state fairs, wrestling matches and circuses, but with their proximity to the Ryman Auditorium and music venues in Nashville, they started to specialize in concerts and musical events. From 1925-1992 the printshop was located directly behind the Ryman Auditorium, the long-time home of the “Grand Ole Opry” (“The Show That Made Country Music Famous”). Artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, and Elvis Presley (just to name a few) had Hatch Show Prints when they performed.

Along with the Belmont Presidential Debate poster, CNN decided to make posters for its entire political team to use during the 2008 election. It had individual posters designed for every team member, including: Dana Bash, Gloria Borger, Wolf Blitzer, Campbell Brown, Anderson Cooper, Candy Crowley, Charles Hodson, John King, Susanne Malveaux, Jonathan Mann, Soledad O’Brien, John Roberts, Bill Schneider, and Jessica Yellin. CNN also had posters created for CNN sponsored debates, including the vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, Missouri and the Democratic and Republican debates in California.

In 1992 the company was donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It moved from its downtown location into the lobby of the Hall of Fame in 2013. It now operates as a working museum with a “focus on preservation through production.” It produces between 600-700 poster per year.

I was able to obtain copies of these posters from stock that had been stored by the marketing department at CNN Center in Atlanta.