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| Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville Today in Nashville was announced that the first ever, all genre, international Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum will open its doors in June of this year. Legendary musicians Duanne Eddy, Garry Tallent, Steve Wariner, Danny Seraphine, James Burton and Reggie Young attended the press event, and share the thought that such a museum is "so long overdue." The multi-purpose complex will not only feature exhibits from well known musicians, but will also spotlight the musical contributions made throughout the years by studio musicians, producers and engineers in all genres. Supporters of this long awaited establishment include music icon, Neil Young who said, "You can see the hood ornament on the car if you go to the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame. But if you want to look at the engine and see what's making it go, then you go to the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum." The multi-million dollar attraction is the brainchild of Joe Chambers, who moved to Nashville in 1978 knowing only two people -- producer-songwriter Billy Sherrill and country star Conway Twitty. Seeing his potential, Sherrill took it upon himself to educate Chambers about all aspects of the music business including signing him as a songwriter to his publishing company and hiring him to work at CBS Records. Sherrill allowed Chambers to look over his shoulder on sessions with Ray Charles, George Jones, Marty Robbins, Tammy Wynette, Elvis Costello and many others. "That introduced me to the world of studio musicians, " Chambers says. "I had always thought you played your own music or that your touring band was your studio band too." Chambers watched in awe as session players heard a song once, then effortlessly added their own distinct licks to each arrangement. Before long and with the encouragement from Sherrill and Twitty, Chambers pretty much hung up his own ambitions as a guitarist and switched exclusively to producing and songwriting. As a songwriter, Chambers' credits include Ricky Van Shelton's first #1 single, "Somebody Lied" and the Randy Travis top ten hit "I Meant Every Word I Said." In 1985, Chambers opened the first of what was soon to be a chain of successful guitar stores. Through Chambers Guitars, he expanded his relationship with musicians of all genres, from all over the world. However, the turning point to create the museum proved to be something unrelated to his music stores or songwriting. When one of the Nashville clubs in famed Printers Alley, where Little Richard, Boots Randoph, a young Hendrix and numerous Nashville players performed throughout the years, was being renovated, Chambers tracked down the owner of the building and asked to salvage the basement stage and surrounding area. The owner agreed and now, the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum will honor the "Guitar Icon, " Jimi Hendrix, with an exhibit featuring the rescued and restored stage. The 30, 000 sq. ft. complex also includes a state of the art recording studio, performance hall, small theatre and school of music. A few of the current items in the hall's collection include: * Eddie Willis' guitars, from countless Motown session such as "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" (his story documented in the film "Standing in the Shadows") * Pete Drake's steel guitars, heard on Bob Dylan's "Lay Lady Lay" and George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass, as well as most of George Jones & Tammy Wynette country classics * Marshall Grant's basses, heard on Johnny Cash's "Walk the Line" and "Ring of Fire, " along with the amp from "Folsom Prison Blues" and "A Boy Named Sue, " as well as Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline album * Garry Tallent's Long Horn Bass, as well as many other items used on the road and in the studio with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band * Scotty Moore's Gibson L-5 along with personal items from his long career in Elvis Presley's band. * Chad Smith's (Red Hot Chili Peppers) snare drum, heard on their albums Mother's Milk and Blood Sugar Sex Magic. * Billy Sherrill's cigarette-burned piano, on which he composed country classics like "Almost Persuaded, " "The Most Beautiful Girl" and even "Stand By Your Man." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |