NC Music Hall of Fame Gets New Home

The NC Music Hall of Fame observed the Grand Opening of its new home at 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. in Kannapolis this evening. The new location also serves as home to entertainment and race car enthusiast Mike Curb’s race cars. His Curb Motorsports has been at the location for several years already, just a few blocks south of the old NC Music Hall of Fame which was housed in the old Kannapolis Jail House on West A Street.

This new location; all on one floor and Handicap accessible; will give more space and light to the museums already burgeoning chest of music memorabilia. The Hall of Fame has inducted scores of     musicians, singers and composers into the ranks since opening over 5 years ago. And with each artist inducted it has obtained more items, many of which are being displayed now for the first time. Imagine how some of the instruments feel; being freed from the confines of their cases after having travelled so far and wide with their former, storied owners. “I Saw the Light” by Hank Williams comes immediately to mind.

The heart and soul of this museum really belongs to 2 people in particular; Eddie Ray, who is the legendary A and R man; and his Assistant Right hand Veronica Cordle; which makes them both A and R persons.  These 2 are a formidable team. He thinks stuff up and she actually makes it happen.

The Hall of Fame is financed by both a grant from Mike Curb and funding from the Arts Council of Kannapolis as well as the City. They also accept donations, as well as hold an annual 5K Race each spring and an Induction Ceremony every October.

Whether your musical tastes run to James Taylor, or Les Brown, Victoria Livengood; or even Thelonius Monk; there is something here for your enjoyment. Even Andy Griffith is here, alongside such contemporaries as Clay Aiken and Fantasia Barrino. The Museum is open Monday through Fridays between 10AM and 4PM; and on Saturdays in the mornings only. Group visits are welcome and are encouraged you to call ahead.

Even if you have been to the Museum at its old location, you will be amazed at the difference the new layout makes. These few photos don’t really do it justice. And to those who may be worried that the change in location might be a detriment; don’t worry. What the new building lacks in quaintness is more than compensated by the layout and abundance of new exhibits. Come see for yourself. The following links will be helpful;

For the museum go to;

http://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/ 

And, for more about the remarkable Eddie Ray visit his Wikipedia page at;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Wiley_Ray 

Or, to purchase a copy of his autobiography, “Against All Odds”, go to;

http://www.amazon.com/Against-All-Odds-Remarkable-Story-ebook/dp/B00BRYPP2G/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

This is the old Kannapolis Jail on West A Street which was the former home of the NC Music Hall of Fame. It will be missed.

North Carolina Music Hall of Fame - Kannapolis

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame is located in Kannapolis at 109 West A Street. It is housed in a small red brick building that at one time was the town jail. In these days of corporate ownership, it is a rare pleasure to have an independent and growing operation like the Music Hall of Fame. North Carolina has been the stomping grounds of many illustrious musical legends. And this spunky little museum does its best to highlight them all.

Walking in, and immediately to the right, as you enter are some plagues and photos from James Taylor. He wrote "I'm Going to Carolina In My Mind", which is our State Song. He continues to perform today all around the world.

This snappy little outfit was worn by Nina Simone. Her earthy and insistent rendition of "Do I Move You" still sends shivers down the backs of her listeners. It's almost as if she's daring you to say no. And her scathing indictment of segregation in "Backlash Blues" still ranks among the greatest of the 60's social protest songs. It's right up there with "Bitter Fruit" by Billie Holliday, or "I'm Black and I'm Blue" by Louis Armstrong. Powerful stuff.

Most people think of North Carolina in connection with bluegrass and gospel music, and we do have our share of that. Charlie Daniels, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson all immediately spring to mind. But we have such a wide variety of music in our history. From the beach sounds of groups like The Chairmen of the Board to the funky soul sound of George Clintons' Funkadelics, it's all on display here, with plans for adding more.

The second floor is not open yet, but there is already a need for more space. As more items keep on arriving and new members are  added to the ranks of inductees, the need for more space will arrive sooner than later. Each years Induction Ceremony brings with it new and more contemporary artists, all requiring a space of their own. Also, to accommodate the continuous need for more space there are plans to use part of the first floor as a revolving type exhibit. This will enable the Museum to remain current and involved in the music scene as it relates to North Carolina.

This gown belonged to Victoria Livengood, the noted opera star. She is still performing today. The exhibit runs the entire gamut of music. From Andy Griffiths' early comedy records and his later gospel recordings, to the likes of The Shirelles, Ben E. King and Roberta Flack. And there is more on the way.

Vice Chairman Eddie Ray is hoping to get some more memorabilia from "American Idol" to represent the artists; such as Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken and Bo Brice, to highlight North Caroilna's unique connection to the show.

But the real star of the whole show is Mr. Ray himself. He is half of the partnership that gave life to this museum. His history in the music business is an education in itself.

In 1954 Mr. Ray was already established in the music industry, on the distribution end, and also promoting artists such as The Drifters, John Lee Hooker, Chuck Berry, B.B.King, Clyde McPhatter, and Joe Turner, just to name a few! It was also the year he released his self penned recording of "Hearts of Stone" by The Jewels. It was a crossover hit and also covered by many of the leading R & B groups of the era.

In the mid to late 50's he was handling Ricky Nelson, Fats Domino, Slim Whitman and Johnny Rivers while employed at Imperial records. In the 1960's he joined Capitol records as Director of A & R for the Tower label. It was there that he acquired Pink Floyd. It was also around this time that he became the first African American V.P. of a major recording company.

Mr. Ray, along with his old colleague, Mike Curb from Tower Records, have put this museum together to honor and showcase the artists that have made North Carolina a great place for music. But; it must be said; that although all of the exhibits are wonderful, it will always be Mr. Ray who gives this little museum its own "Heart and Soul."

For more information about the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame, and their upcoming annual 5K race in May, use this link;

http://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/

Johnny Bristol - Morganton

This is the first in a series of postings about the artists who are in the NC Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis, N.C.  The music which has emanated out of North Carolina over the tears is much varied and covers every musical genre you can possibly think of; from Opera to Funk and everything in between. The plan is to do posts about these artists to commemorate their birthdays. Mr. Bristol’s big day is today, February 3^rd.

Johnny Bristol is a perfect example of the diversity of the music which has originated in North Carolina over the past 100 years. Born February 3, 1939 Mr. Bristol spent his early years living in Morganton, the county seat of Burke County. It is in the mountains near Hickory. 

The town boasts quite a few famous people. In addition to Johnny Bristol there is Etta Baker, known for her version of the Piedmont Blues, a separate genre unto itself. In addition the likes of Senator Sam Ervin, the town also lays claim to Frankie Silver who was the first woman ever hanged in North Carolina. On the other end of the spectrum, the town is also the home of Paige Summers, Penthouse 1998 Pet of the Year.

Mr. Bristol is mostly remembered as a musician-songwriter as well as having been a producer Motown during its most active period, from the late 1960s to the 1970’s. His own hits include the one here, which is kind of an Al Green thing from 1974, to the song he wrote about his home town of Morganton.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8mMB5vZK2w

His first real musical success came in Detroit, where he had landed after serving in the Air Force in the late 1950’s. As part of the duo Johnny and Jackey;  Jackey Beavers; they recorded about half a dozen songs on two different independent labels, both owned by members of Berry Gordy’s family. While these records were only successful in the Mid-west, they were instrumental in opening the doors for him at Motown. By 1965 he was working at Motown as a songwriter and producer. He was the guy behind the mixing board for such hits as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Your Precious Love”.

This was probably the most creative period of Mr. Bristol’s career. Everything he touched seemed to turn to gold; as in gold records. Wikipedia lists the following records among his accomplishments;

The Velvelettes "These Things Keep Me Loving You" (1966); Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Don't Want To Do Wrong" (1971) and "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" (1972); and Jr. Walker & the All Stars, who charted with a number of Bristol-written singles and albums, including "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" (1969), "Gotta Hold On To This Feeling" (1970), "Way Back Home" (1971) and "Walk in the Night" (1971). Mr. Bristol even recorded Jermaine Jackson's first solo record, "That's How Love Goes" in 1972.

In addition to all the above, he was the last producer to work with The Supremes and The Miracles, before they both lost their lead singers. “Someday We’ll Be Together” is actually a cover version of Mr. Bristol’s single with Jackey in 1961.His voice is even the male response on the final released version by the Supremes.

In 1973 he was briefly associated with CBS Records as a producer, but the label seemed to be unenthusiastic about his artists, which included Boz Scaggs and also Johnny Mathis. By 1974 he was with MGM, where he seemed to get his “second wind”. He was now ready to emerge as an artist on his own.

With MGM he recorded 2 albums and placed several singles in the charts. "Hang on in There Baby"  was released in 1974 and hit #8 in the US on the Pop charts; #2 on the  R&B charts;  and even enjoyed success overseas, placing #3 in the UK. "You and I",  "Leave My World" and "Do It To My Mind" followed one after the other in 1974, 75 and 1976. In 1975 he was nominated for a Grammy as Best New Artist.

After leaving MGM he went on to record with Atlantic Records, a relationship which saw him working with some of the artists he had worked with at CBS. In particular he was instrumental in Boz Scaggs “comeback” “Slow Dancer” in 1974. He also produced the Tom Jones album “Memories Don’t Leave like People Do” which contained 5 cover versions of Mr. Bristol’s songs.

By the 1980’s he was firmly embedded in the European market with such artists as Ami Stewart. He continued recording through the early 1990’s, making music with Earth Wind and Fire, as well as a recording with his daughter Shannon Bristol. He even enjoyed some degree of success in the Japanese market at the time.

Mr. Bristol passed away at his home in Michigan on March 21, 2004. He died of natural causes at the age of 65. Although some would not consider him to be a major artist; or superstar; he was, and continues to be well regarded in several genres. NC Music Hall of Fame is pleased to include this artist among its inductees.

For more on the NC Music Hall of Fame and their other inductees, use this link;

http://northcarolinamusichalloffame.org/