The National R&B Hall of Fame website: https://rhythmblueshof.com/
QuoteJACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville has emerged as a top contender to become the permanent home of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, a move that would bring a prestigious national museum to the city.
The city is currently being evaluated alongside four other finalists across the country: Jackson, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Augusta, Georgia.
The Hall of Fame is currently based in Detroit, but organizers are looking to establish a long-term, dedicated footprint. According to organization founder Lamont "Showboat" Robinson, Jacksonville's deep-seated musical heritage makes it an exceptionally strong candidate for the project.
Full article: https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/itd-be-right-brand-jax-national-rb-hall-fame-could-be-coming-jacksonville/24PHZFLWEZBBVC55VFCUS2BYUM/
This would be a great "add" for Jacksonville.
But, why do I feel Jacksonville's inclusion on the list is to get a better deal wherever it is they really want to go?
And, why are they leaving Detroit?
Interesting. I actually like this more than the Southern Rock HOF idea, as it seems like a better market fit. As someone who occasionally buys radio spots in Jacksonville, can attest that R&B overindexes pretty significantly in listeners in Jax vs markets like Tampa, Miami, Nashville, etc. A station like V105 does better numbers than both country stations, WAPE, Rock (107.3), etc, and our concert schedule for 2026 looks to have at least 8 R&B shows for every 1 Southern Rock. I think it's more grounded in data to call Jacksonville an R&B city in 2026 than a Southern Rock city.
^ i honestly wouldn't read much into that now. I personally haven't listened to any radio station full time in over 10+ years outside of 92.5. On occasion i do 106.9 Rumba.
I used to burn my own cds, then i started streaming Sirius, Pandora, apple etc. But i will listen to jaguars today and pre and post game. I would say most ppl do the same, so the numbers might be skewed a bit.
Quote from: MakeDTjaxGre@tAgain on September 05, 2026, 01:12:27 PM^ i honestly wouldn't read much into that now. I personally haven't listened to any radio station full time in over 10+ years outside of 92.5. On occasion i do 106.9 Rumba.
I used to burn my own cds, then i started streaming Sirius, Pandora, apple etc. But i will listen to jaguars today and pre and post game. I would say most ppl do the same, so the numbers might be skewed a bit.
As someone who hasn't listened to terrestrial radio in 20 years (except 1010XL on game days) and only does Spotify and podcasts, I totally understand that viewpoint. And as someone whose job it is to test the reach and efficacy of channels like radio and make investment recommendations across the country, I think people like us confuse our own personal experience (and the decline of cultural relevance for radio in general) with the death of radio, when it's still commanding a massive audience, even if those people don't necessarily look like us.
Jacksonville's the 45th largest radio market in the country, with enough audience and reach to sustain 16-18 major FM stations at the moment, including multiple country, r&b/rap, and rock stations. It's a less affluent audience (which is why you hear so many ads for things like credit unions, gas station deals, fast food, and managed healthcare), but it's a huge audience nonetheless.
In general, I think it's interesting that those who have historically controlled the narrative locally in Jacksonville tend to position us as a country & Southern Rock city, but if you look at how those outside Jacksonville discuss the city, there's much more focus on our urban music scene.
Long way of saying, interesting project. I think it's a better fit than many might. BUT, I'm still skeptical of our ability to do it profitably, without massive public subsidy, absent turning it into a self-sustaining event venue that also hosted the R&B HOF.
My take is on the surface, its a good fit.
Jax has played a significant role in the development of several genres. R&B originated in the 1940s and is closely associated with the Chitlin' Circuit. Jacksonville (Ashley Street) played a significant role in stimulating the organized network of routes and venues that made up the Chitlin' Circuit. I'd argue that R&B is more closely linked to Black Jax than Rock and Roll is to Cleveland.
My guess is such an venue would have a national focus, but try to also tie in the historical local links, similar to the Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
With all of that said, What's required locally to make it happen and is that requirement worth it? The devil is and will be in the details with this one. For example, is a readily available building like the MOSH we just tore down required, or will Jax need to come up with free land and millions in incentives for a new venue? Is it possible to partner up with existing spaces like the Ritz or Old Stanton?
What are the other finalist cities offering? Why did the Mark's, MS project not work out? I Will be interested to learn more.
If they are serious about Jax, maybe they hook up with the proposed Grounds project on the Westside. Museum could be adjacent to a tourist and concert oriented facility.
Would be nice to be Downtown but not sure where they could best locate and make a go of it.
Maybe a partnership with WJCT and their property/adjacent city property? WJCT has a digital channel that plays this type of music and host concerts on their sound stage so that might be a natural.
Quote
Blues Horizon
Sunday Nights 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Blues Horizon, WJCT's Andrew Wiechman celebrates the best in classic and modern blues and showcases the musical genre that has inspired and influenced many other genres, including rock 'n' roll, jazz and modern popular music Sunday nights from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m on to Anthology on 89.9 FM HD3 on air, online here on jaxmusic.org or the WJCT app.
Visit the Blues Horizon Facebook page for more!
https://jaxmusic.org/anthology/
A location near Cecil would be equivalent to placing a Miami Bass museum in Oceanway or Macclenney. All that's needed is 50,000-square-feet of space. There's plenty of sites and places near supporting infrastructure and places historically connected. DCPS alone has a bunch of closed and underutilized school sites, including several blocks in LaVilla. Its more about if the numbers make sense. That part is a huge question mark, as most museums don't make money.
Quote from: thelakelander on September 06, 2026, 08:17:27 AMA location near Cecil would be equivalent to placing a Miami Bass museum in Oceanway or Macclenney. All that's needed is 50,000-square-feet of space. There's plenty of sites and places near supporting infrastructure and places historically connected. DCPS alone has a bunch of closed and underutilized school sites, including several blocks in LaVilla. Its more about if the numbers make sense. That part is a huge question mark, as most museums don't make money.
What about incorporating the old Stanton school into the museum? Building is historic, oriented around the African American community that is associated with the Blues, located in LaVilla, and already gutted, ready to be reused? Seems it would be perfect and a double win for the community allowing it to get more widespread financial support.
Old Stanton could be an interesting location. Its 60,000 square feet, has an auditorium for potential events, history and a key spot on Ashley Street. Pearl Square going up next door doesn't hurt. It all depends on if thats what the Historic Stanton group wants and if a partnership can materialize.
Ritz could be another interesting spot. That building was designed to support a future expansion of a second floor.