The melody will always live on Museums document Alabama’s music history By Marilyn Jones
M
usic evokes mood and memory. It is a form of celebration; the cadence of life. It is found in every culture, varying only by its creators, the times and its delivery. It helps us express ourselves. In Alabama, several museums showcase the talents of our citizens — past and present — who brought music to life from radio pioneers, singers, songwriters, musicians and others collaborating for the art and the listener. The Alabama Historical Radio Museum operated by the Alabama Historical Radio Society offers the history of Alabama Historic photos are on display at the Birmingham Black Radio Museum. Power Company’s radio station. WSY began broadcasting in This photo from 1954 is of Andrew Dawkins, a disc jockey for WBCO. 1920 and was the 127th station in the nation approved for PHOTO COURTESY BIRMINGHAM BLACK RADIO MUSEUM broadcasting. Radios from this era are displayed and visitors Clarence “Pinetop” Smith to the jazz space journeys of Sun Ra learn that many listeners built their own radios from instrucand his Intergalactic Space Arkestra. tions in Birmingham Age Herald newspaper articles. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia highlights The historic timeline continues into the 1930s, when even music-makers from all genres with exhibits illustrating how Alathe Great Depression couldn’t stop the radio’s popularity, and bamians contributed to make the music industry what it is today. into the 1950s when television began to take over some proTours start in the Hall of Fame Gallery that features portraits gramming, but never overtook music. of inductees painted by Tuskegee artist Ronald McDowell. The Birmingham Black Radio Museum traces the history In the Popular Music section there is recording equipment of black radio in the city since the mid -1930s and has successused in Alabama-born Sam Phillips’ Memphis Music Service fully gathered memorabilia, pictures, news clippings, oral hisand the contract between Phillips and RCA representing soontories and personal testimonies “that help depict Birmingham to-be superstar Elvis Presley. More disblack radio’s evolution and its symbiotic plays feature apparel and instruments relationship to the black Birmingham area from Tommy Shaw of Styx fame, Ransom community and the community at large,” Wilson’s flute, Jim Nabors’ Gomer Pyle according to museum literature. costume, and memorabilia donated by The project, founded in 1992 by Bob Emmylou Harris, Donna Godchaux, Bobby Friedman with support from Gary RichGoldsboro, Lionel Richie and The Commoardson, owner of WJLD Radio, also prodores. duced the film “A Radio Hero.” The film The tour continues in the Country Mufeatures Paul White. Dubbed “Tall Paul” in sic area and features the personal memo1962, White was the most significant BirRadios, many dating back nearly 100 years, rabilia of Sonny James, Tammy Wynette, mingham radio announcer of the 1963 are on display at the Alabama Historical Vern Gosdin, Jeanne Pruett, Freddie Hart movement years. He was the only BirRadio Museum in Birmingham. and Rose Maddox. The highlight is the mingham announcer mentioned specifiCOURTESY ALABAMA HISTORICAL RADIO MUSEUM Southern Star tour bus of superstar group cally by the Rev. Martin Luther King in his – and Hall of Fame inductees – Alabama, giving visitors a firstreference to the Children’s Campaign of 1963. Friedman preshand understanding of life on the road. ents the film to public groups upon request. A classic jazz club facade frames the Rhythm and Blues area. The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, also in Birmingham, honErskine Hawkins’ trumpet, Martha Reeves’ and Eddie Kendors jazz artists with ties to the state. Exhibits in the art-deco ricks’ stage outfits, gold records by Wilson Pickett and Percy museum showcase musicians, band leaders and singing artists Sledge and other artifacts are displayed. including Nat “King” Cole, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, ErThe Gospel Showcase memorializes gospel greats Jake Hess, skine Hawkins and Harry Bellefonte. Gold City, The Speer Family and The Sullivan Family. Visitors travel from the beginnings of boogie woogie with
16 APRIL 2016
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