A Southern Music Hall of Fame in Jacksonville?

Metro Jacksonville · October 23, 2012, 03:05:09 AM

A Southern Music Hall of Fame in Jacksonville?

A Metro Jacksonville forum debate about determining what to do with the old Duval County Armory building has energized discussion of a Southern Music Hall of Fame in Jacksonville. Today, Hugh Simpson, co-founder of the Southern Music Hall of Fame shares his executive summary of the concept for public discussion.

Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-a-southern-music-hall-of-fame-in-jacksonville

sheclown · October 23, 2012, 06:58:48 AM

perfect.

A virtual museum in search of a home. A building in search of a purpose.

The Jacksonville influence is quite significant to the development of all types of southern music. Let's be proud of this and figure out a way to celebrate and share this heritage.

And let's save the Armory (or another historic building) before vacancy and neglect cause its ruin.

jcjohnpaint · October 23, 2012, 07:39:30 AM

Tom Petty?

CityLife · October 23, 2012, 07:58:49 AM

Quote from: jcjohnpaint on October 23, 2012, 07:39:30 AM
Tom Petty?

Otis Redding too please.

Ocklawaha · October 23, 2012, 09:53:19 AM

Scott "If your going to San Francisco" McKenzie too.

CityLife · October 23, 2012, 10:10:49 AM

I'd also love to see a section about music that was inspired by southern music. There is no "Exile on Main St." and countless other classics without the influence of southern music.

hughsimpson · October 23, 2012, 10:16:49 AM

Thanks Metro J'ville for a SUPER story and YES let's get my 20 year dream a home in my hometown of J'ville!

Hugh Simpson
http://www.southernmusichall.com

mrland · October 23, 2012, 10:28:27 AM

Good news Hugh...hope it works out because it is perfect for Jacksonville!

thelakelander · October 23, 2012, 11:03:14 AM

From Hugh Simpson's blog:

QuoteSo where is The Southern Music Hall of Fame?

Actually it is currently located at this blog. I have been working on this project for over 19 years with my associate/co-founder, Ron Rich. We have looked at more than a dozen locations including Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Winston Salem, NC; Durham, NC; Macon, GA; Dalton; GA; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN and Marietta, GA. Each location had its plusses and problems with the main one being parking for as many as 1000 vehicles daily. Our research showed we needed this at any location we might select. We project at least 100,000 visitors the first year of operation. Seeing the first year attendance numbers for the Georgia Aquarium, this projected number could go much higher.

Hugh, what are your design perameters or site selection criteria?

Cheshire Cat · October 23, 2012, 02:44:05 PM

I think this is a spectacular idea. How wonderful this would be for our city.

Diane Melendez

sheclown · October 23, 2012, 05:34:46 PM

I talked to Hugh this afternoon. We talked about sites. It needs to have parking for 1000 plus easy access off 95. He sees this as a snowbird stop and marketed throughout the south.

I think the Armory meets the parking criteria. Haven't counted the spaces, but there is parking on the side and in the back.

Now, I need to get in there and take some photos, look around and check out the space.

Hugh has quite a network established including possible funding sources.

This is a total win for Jacksonville.

Mayor...can we have the armory? You said "find a use."

hughsimpson · October 23, 2012, 05:59:35 PM

Thanks everyone for your. enthusiasm and support!

Yes the converstion with Gloria was very productive.

Pluses for this location:

1. Close to I95

2. Parking seems adequate and will know more when Gloria reports back.

3. Lots of space for expansion including use of auditorium, a Southern music themed restaurant, stores, etc. Also one of my board members who also grew up in J'VILLE suggested a Florida Music Hall of Fame which we explored with Stephen and Terri Lorrence years ago. This could be another section of the buiding.

4. A historic building qualifying for tax credits.

Minuses:

1. My partner Ron started his own investigation and found that mold is a major problem in that building.

2. Sits in flood plane which could cause problems.

If these can be overcome then we could begin to work on Phase One which would only need to be 10,000 sq ft tops and plan to open for 2013 tourist season.

Thanks!

Hugh
http://www.southernmusichall.com

SunKing · October 23, 2012, 07:21:19 PM

Live music?

hughsimpson · October 23, 2012, 10:24:15 PM

Yes we are looking at producing a week long Southern Music festival patterned after New Orleans.

hughsimpson · October 23, 2012, 10:26:59 PM

Quote from: thelakelander on October 23, 2012, 11:03:14 AM
From Hugh Simpson's blog:

QuoteSo where is The Southern Music Hall of Fame?

Actually it is currently located at this blog. I have been working on this project for over 19 years with my associate/co-founder, Ron Rich. We have looked at more than a dozen locations including Atlanta, GA; Jacksonville, FL; Myrtle Beach, SC; Winston Salem, NC; Durham, NC; Macon, GA; Dalton; GA; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN and Marietta, GA. Each location had its plusses and problems with the main one being parking for as many as 1000 vehicles daily. Our research showed we needed this at any location we might select. We project at least 100,000 visitors the first year of operation. Seeing the first year attendance numbers for the Georgia Aquarium, this projected number could go much higher.

Hugh, what are your design perameters or site selection criteria?

We need only 7500-10,000 sq ft for phase 1.