Music hall of fame just keeps on rockin’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/08/2009 (5900 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The dream of a permanent music museum in Winnipeg is still very much alive.

Bartley Kives might have left some thinking otherwise when he reported that the non-profit proponents of a rock and roll museum in the Metropolitan theatre parted ways with co-sponsor Canad Inns in 2006. (Show over for Metropolitan? Aug. 20).

We did in fact part ways. But immediately after the project fell through, the group who had been negotiating reorganized as Manitoba Music Experience Inc.

It is actively pursuing a permanent facility to celebrate the achievements of Manitoba musicians past, present and future in a variety of genres.

The organization has been working since then for a number of years toward this worthy goal.

From Neil Young, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings to Tom Cochrane and Tom Jackson, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, Loreena McKennitt, Sierra Noble, Big Dave McLean, Doc Walker, Bob Nolan, Daniel Lavoie, the Brandon School of Music, Ray St. Germain, Buddy Knox, Steve Bell, Lucille Starr, Tracy Dahl, Oscar Brand, Heather Bishop, Lenny Breau, James Ehnes, Eagle & Hawk, Fred Penner, Terry Jacks, Fresh I.E., the Weakerthans, Ron Paley, The Wailin’ Jennys, Crash Test Dummies, the Jazz Festival, the Folk Festival, the Manitoba Music Festival and so many more, Manitoba has a rich, diverse, colourful and exciting musical history.

Manitoba musicians have had a profound and lasting impact on music locally, nationally and internationally.

It’s long overdue that we celebrate these achievements and inspire further generations of Manitoba musicians and performers.

From July 1 through to Sept. 6 of 2010, the Manitoba Museum will feature an exhibit under the title Shakin’ All Over: The Manitoba Music Experience coinciding with the Manitoba Homecoming 2010 events. Manitoba Music is assembling this exciting exhibit to honour the achievements of Manitoba musicians in the fields of rock ‘n’ roll, country, jazz, folk, blues, classical/opera, children/family entertainment, First Nations, Métis and francophone music.

Our objective is to introduce the Manitoba Music Experience concept to the general public and gauge public interest for a permanent facility. In advance of that full-summer exhibit, we are including an introductory “teaser” mini-display during the Manitoba Museum’s Beatles exhibit in February of 2010. The purpose is to promote the larger exhibit opening in July.

The full summer exhibit will be mounted in Alloway Hall utilizing approximately 3,000 square feet with the remaining area designated for programmed events, performances, interactive and educational presentations during the run of the exhibit. The summer exhibit will include artifacts, information, photographs and memorabilia as well as the opportunity for public input for a permanent Manitoba Music Experience facility.

In the next few weeks, the Manitoba Music Experience will be contacting representatives of the various music genres in Manitoba seeking their participation in the exhibit and in the permanent facility. We hope they and the public will support this exciting initiative.

The dream lives on.

John Einarson is a music historian and author of a dozen books. He is writing a biography of Canadian music legends Ian & Sylvia