Communities

Prince Appreciation Day at MMHF

NEW ULM -- The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame hosted Prince Appreciation Day on Oct. 24, drawing visitors from across the state to view the museum’s newly relocated Prince exhibit and attend presentations detailing the collection’s move from Henderson.

The primary exhibit features memorabilia, statues, murals, and metal art previously displayed in Henderson, Minnesota. Project founder Joel King and museum leadership, including executive director Bonnie Ubl and board members, coordinated the relocation after local opposition in Henderson led to public petitions opposing the display of the memorial. 

King stated that the collection found a receptive environment in New Ulm.

“Everything happens for the best,” King said. “It’s a blessing it’s here, and it’s where it should be in the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.”

King served as the lead “A” camera operator on Prince's 1990 feature film Graffiti Bridge. Before working on the production, King spent 30 years in Hollywood as a film photographer on major motion picture productions, including The Betsy with Laurence Olivier, MacArthur with Gregory Peck, Carrie, Sybil with Sally Field, and television episodes of Columbo and McCloud.

During his presentation, King detailed his working relationship with Prince and his personal recovery from cocaine addiction. He stated that Prince checked in on him daily during his early treatment period.

“Every day, Prince would come up to me and ask how I was doing,” King said.

King shared additional production anecdotes, including an instance where he fell off a stage into a studio water trough filled with broken mirrors and water. 

When Prince checked on him, King replied, “Sobriety’s hell,” prompting laughter from the artist. Another anecdote involved a production crew member asking Prince who was responsible for his cat Paisley’s litter box, which was placed near the craft services table.

The museum display includes metalwork crafted by artist Rob Reardon, featuring life-sized silhouettes, guitars, and custom symbols. 

Additional items were donated by Marty Bragg and the late percussionist Jellybean Johnson. Funding for major components of the exhibit, including a statue, a tribute motorcycle, and a custom guitar display, was provided by grants from the Schmidt Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds arts initiatives in southern Minnesota.

Bragg addressed attendees regarding ongoing efforts to establish a permanent Minneapolis Sound Museum in North Minneapolis. She announced a fundraiser and tribute event scheduled for November 20 at the Minnesota Music Education Hall. 

The event marks Jellybean Johnson's 70th birthday and the one-year anniversary of his death, with proceeds supporting the museum project. Bragg said that the museum organization has previously hosted pop-up exhibits and completed a documentary film about the history of local community spaces.

Jerome Newsom, a member of the Prince tribute band Chase & Ovation, spoke during the program about growing up in North Minneapolis and participating in programs at The Way community center. 

He described the center as a vital gathering space and source of musical instruments for young artists, including Prince and Andre Cymone. Jerome noted that Chase & Ovation maintains an active performance schedule, including a scheduled show at Bogart’s in Apple Valley.

Special guests in attendance also included Sammy G, a cousin of Prince, who arrived later in the afternoon and greeted organizers and attendees at the event.

The afternoon program included a musical performance by 11-year-old Jackson Newgord, the grandson of Minnesota Music Hall of Fame founder Leon Olsen. Newgord played an acoustic guitar version of “Purple Rain” for the audience, having first gained attention at the museum during Leon Olsen Day.

Minnesota Music Hall of Fame board member, Neal Bond presented a video retrospective tracing Minnesota music history. The production covered early blues musicians and folk acts, including Spider John Koerner and Big Walter Smith, before moving into rock bands such as The Crow and The Replacements, and concluding with Prince's career, his recordings such as 1999 and Purple Rain, and his global cultural impact prior to his death in 2016.

Attendees traveled from locations including Le Sueur, Delano, and Forest Lake. Heather Wilmes of Le Sueur said she learned about the exhibit when King visited her workplace.

Karen Boatman of Delano rode her motorcycle to the event and viewed the new arrangement of the Henderson collection.

“They moved all the stuff from Henderson to here, and it’s much better,” Boatman said.

Hall of Fame organizers confirmed that video recordings of the day’s presentations will be posted online on the museum’s YouTube channel for remote viewers and members, ensuring accessibility for individuals unable to attend in person.

The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in New Ulm has an exciting weekend ahead, starting on Friday, October 30, when Fezz Fritsche & The Goosetown Band will take the stage at 11 am to perform historic, fully-arranged sheet music for the first time in over 50 years. This event, running from 10 am to 2 pm, will also feature film presentations, storytelling, and meet-and-greet opportunities. 

The celebration continues on Saturday with a special tribute to local legend and former board member Paul Wendinger, alongside a 1 pm book signing by Dan Groebener for his new work, “Good to Be a Musician- Community Bands in New Ulm.” Like the Friday event, Saturday's program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and includes film, storytelling, and social time. Admission for each day is $7, though members of the Hall of Fame can attend for free.