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Log inCountry Music Hall of Fame finally at home
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Country Music Hall of Fame finally at home
by Outspoken on Fri Aug 15, 2008 4:42 am
Country Music Hall of Fame finally at home
After 31 years in mothballs, Maine's country music history gets a place to shine.
By RAY ROUTHIER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Bright red cowboy hats. Velvet skirts dripping with fringe. Glittery jackets matched with shiny, pointy-toed boots.
The trappings of Maine's country music history are nothing if not eye-catching. But they haven't been catching a lot of eyes lately.
That's because the collection of the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame -- which includes performers' clothes, instruments, photos, records, sheet music and much more -- has been in storage for the entire 31 years the hall has existed as an organization.
Until this weekend.
On Sunday, for the first time, the hall of fame will have a place to display its attention-grabbing artifacts. The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will officially open at 11 a.m. in the lower level of the Silver Spur Club, a popular country music venue in Mechanic Falls.
The club is run by Diana Record, daughter of hall of fame member Elton Record. And Elton Record, whose career included recording with Conway Twitty's band in the 1970s, did much of the construction on the basement room that will house the museum.
The museum will house photos, bios and plaques for all of the 70 members, plus outfits, instruments and other memorabilia. About half of the members are still alive, and organizers say that on any given day, patrons will be able to see them perform and get a story or two about the golden days of country music in Maine.
"Our dream is that people would come in, see the museum, and there would be (Hall of Famer) Russ Adams sitting there, playing some music and signing autographs," said Lorri Wilson of Hebron, president of the Maine Country Music Association, which sponsored the creation of the hall of fame. "We want to be able to share this with people, for people to know how much talent Maine has."
Many of the hall of famers are known only in Maine, but some became famous beyond the state's borders. Most got started in the 1930s through the 1950s, when many country acts performed on Maine radio and television programs.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204783&ac=PHnws
John Patriquin/Staff Photographer
After 31 years in mothballs, Maine's country music history gets a place to shine.
By RAY ROUTHIER
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald
Bright red cowboy hats. Velvet skirts dripping with fringe. Glittery jackets matched with shiny, pointy-toed boots.
The trappings of Maine's country music history are nothing if not eye-catching. But they haven't been catching a lot of eyes lately.
That's because the collection of the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame -- which includes performers' clothes, instruments, photos, records, sheet music and much more -- has been in storage for the entire 31 years the hall has existed as an organization.
Until this weekend.
On Sunday, for the first time, the hall of fame will have a place to display its attention-grabbing artifacts. The Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will officially open at 11 a.m. in the lower level of the Silver Spur Club, a popular country music venue in Mechanic Falls.
The club is run by Diana Record, daughter of hall of fame member Elton Record. And Elton Record, whose career included recording with Conway Twitty's band in the 1970s, did much of the construction on the basement room that will house the museum.
The museum will house photos, bios and plaques for all of the 70 members, plus outfits, instruments and other memorabilia. About half of the members are still alive, and organizers say that on any given day, patrons will be able to see them perform and get a story or two about the golden days of country music in Maine.
"Our dream is that people would come in, see the museum, and there would be (Hall of Famer) Russ Adams sitting there, playing some music and signing autographs," said Lorri Wilson of Hebron, president of the Maine Country Music Association, which sponsored the creation of the hall of fame. "We want to be able to share this with people, for people to know how much talent Maine has."
Many of the hall of famers are known only in Maine, but some became famous beyond the state's borders. Most got started in the 1930s through the 1950s, when many country acts performed on Maine radio and television programs.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=204783&ac=PHnws
John Patriquin/Staff Photographer
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
