Georgia Music Hall of Fame facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Georgia Music Hall of Fame museum

Georgia Music Hall of Fame museum building
Established	September 22, 1996 (1996-09-22)
Dissolved	June 12, 2011 (2011-06-12)
Location	Macon, Georgia, United States
Type	Hall of fame

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame was a special place that honored musicians and music industry experts. These people were either from Georgia or had strong connections to the state. The idea for it started with Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller, who wanted to bring more music business to Georgia.

The first Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards happened in 1979. Only two people were honored that year. Over time, the Hall of Fame grew to include 163 members. The very last group of people was added in 2015.

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum was located in downtown Macon, Georgia, in the United States. It opened in 1996 and closed its doors in 2011. The museum worked to save and share Georgia's rich musical history. It did this through collecting items, creating exhibits, offering educational programs, and hosting performances. The museum hoped to help people appreciate Georgia music. It also aimed to boost the state's economy through different partnerships. Sadly, the museum closed because not enough people visited, and it lost money from the state. In June 2012, Mercer University bought the old museum building. The university now uses it for its School of Medicine.

History of Georgia's Music Hall

The story of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame began in 1978. At that time, Georgia's government created a committee to study the music industry. They wanted to see how much money it brought to the state. They also looked for ways to promote Georgia music and attract music companies.

In 1979, this committee started the Georgia Music Hall of Fame program. It was created to honor Georgia musicians who had made big impacts. On September 26, 1979, Ray Charles and music publisher Bill Lowery became the first two people inducted.

Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller had a big dream. He wanted to create a public museum and archive. This place would keep records of the state's music history. It would also be a fun cultural spot for visitors. In 1990, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority was formed. This group was in charge of building and running the museum. They also promoted music events across the state.

On September 22, 1996, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum officially opened. It was a large building, about 43,000 square feet. It had a main exhibit hall, a gift shop, and a center for studying Georgia music. There was also an office area, a classroom, and a reception room. In 1999, a second part of the museum opened. It was called The Billy Watson Music Factory. This area had interactive exhibits for young children, from pre-kindergarten to elementary school.

The museum closed on June 12, 2011. This happened because not enough people visited. All the items from its collection were given to the University of Georgia Special Collections Libraries. Today, parts of the exhibits are kept at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and the University of West Georgia. Some items are also in private collections.

Exploring the Museum's Exhibits

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum had a special main exhibit area. It was designed to look like a small Georgia town. Inside, there were different "venues" like the Jazz and Swing Club or Vintage Vinyl. These places held cool artifacts, stories, and audio-visual displays.

The museum also featured temporary exhibits. Some popular ones included "Keeps Calling Me Home: A Gram Parsons Retrospective." Another was "Let Freedom Sing: Music and the Civil Rights Movement." There was also "Otis Redding: I've Got Dreams to Remember." This exhibit was even named "Museum Exhibition of the Year" in 2008.

Learning Through Music Education

Education was a very important part of the museum's goals. The Billy Watson Music Factory was a fun place for young kids. It helped children from pre-kindergarten through elementary school. They could explore music ideas like rhythm, melody, and how to create songs. It was all done in a hands-on way.

The museum also had a program called MIKE (Music in Kids' Education). This program offered live music performances. It also gave kids chances to learn about music throughout the year.

Georgia Music Magazine

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Foundation published a magazine called Georgia Music. It came out four times a year from 2005 to 2013. This magazine was the official publication of the museum. It also offered a deep look into Georgia's music scene. It explored famous legends, important places, and unsung heroes of the state's music. The magazine featured articles, historical stories, news, and reviews.

Honored Musicians and Industry Leaders

James Brown

Usher

Ray Charles

Whitney Houston

Otis Redding

L.A. Reid

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame honored many talented people. Here is a list of some of the inductees:

See also

• List of music museums