Rockabillytennessee.com has had high hopes for the last year and a half that an International Rockabilly Hall of Fame would become a reality here in Jackson Tennessee. We are excited to say that the possibilty is coming closer.
We thank all those involved in the Rockabillyfest 2000 for bringing us a few steps closer!
Correspondence for the Jackson Rockabilly Museum to Henry Harrison.
Jackson, TN Plans continue to develop for the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, a pet project of Jackson, Tennessee’s Henry Harrison. Harrison told rockabillytennessee.com that he is still working on material for the Hall as well as a potential location.
The “groundbreaking” held last year near Jackson’s Pringles Park (baseball stadium) gave publicity to the effort but may not be the initial location. Citing expense and operation concerns, Harrison says a site in an already existing location may be a necessary first step. “When you look at budgets and the necessity of a year-round operation it may be necessary for us to begin somewhere else,” Harrison acknowledged.
Potential locations are still being reviewed as well as continuing discussion about the format and presentation of the Hall. Harrison traveled last year to the Smithsonian and to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland) to view their music history treatments. He has yet to visit but said he had heard many positive comments about the new Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum in Memphis (see rockabillytennessee.com for a review) and would be adding that museum to his list of information sources.
Concerning Hall content Harrison said he had been reviewing some interesting proposals including the offering by Sun of it’s entire current library of Sun Masters including work extending all the way back to the early rockabilly of the mid-50’s. That Sun collection extends all the way through the work of Jeanie C. Riley’s Harper Valley PTA (connected with Shelby Singleton) and the ‘70’s work of Sun artist Orion. The cost feasibility of purchasing that collection, bringing it to Jackson and its future cash potential in the Napster 21st Century world are the key concerns, but the subject has been discussed.
What is definite is that such a Hall could make Jackson a destination tourist location for visitors from all over the world.
ROCKABILLY FEST 2000 APRIL 14-16
Rockabilly Fest 2000 will indeed be a premiere showcase of rockabilly music and music history.
Built on that rural southern life that blended in Memphis the event seeks to bring together a collection of Memphis and southern based musical greats from Paul Burlison, W. S. Holland, Narvel Felts, Ace Cannon, Rayburn Anthony, Eddie Bond and many others including the Jordanaires, D. J. Fontana, Stan Perkins, Big Al Downing, Johnny Powers, The Rock and Roll Trio (featuring Paul Burlison & Billy Burnette) and the queen of rockabilly, Wanda Jackson.