Lizzy Alfs

USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Popular worldwide tourist attraction Madame Tussauds plans to debut a wax museum at Nashville’s Opry Mills next year.

In a nod to Music City, the Nashville attraction — which will be the first Madame Tussauds in the state and the 22nd location worldwide — will be themed “Soundtrack of America” and will celebrate iconic musicians from the past and present, according to a news release.

Madame Tussauds features lifelike wax figures of famous people that guests can touch and photograph in an interactive experience. Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder and Johnny Cash will be among the waxworks in Nashville, along with more than 45 other figures.

The Nashville museum, which is operated by leisure giant Merlin Entertainments, is slated to open in spring 2017.

“We couldn’t be more excited to open the first Madame Tussauds in Tennessee in a little over a year,” Ben Thompson, Merlin’s senior marketing director of new openings and acquisitions, said in a statement. “This fun and unique attraction will highlight milestone moments from historical to contemporary music — both from around the country and in Nashville.”

Madame Tussauds has U.S. locations in Hollywood, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Washington and Orlando, Fla.

Owned by Simon Property Group, Opry Mills features more than 200 shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Madame Tussauds will join other attractions at the mall, including the Regal Opry Mills Stadium 20 and Dave & Buster’s.

“Opry Mills has always been a top tourist destination in Music City,” Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills, a Simon Company, said in a statement. “We are beyond excited to be the home of the first-ever music-themed Madame Tussauds. The team at Merlin is sure to deliver a project that will exceed even the wildest of expectations.”

Reach Lizzy Alfs at 615-726-5948 and on Twitter @lizzyalfs.