Music Hall of Fame hosts packed open house
Music fans rub shoulders with the famous
Staff photos by Clay Schuldt New Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee Gwen Mathews signs an autograph for Catherine Rossing during the MMHF open house Saturday
Gary Schroeder and Dain Moldan play polka songs during the MMHF showcase event. Moldan’s son Drayden dances along to the music.
Staff photos by Clay Schuldt New Minnesota Music Hall of Fame inductee Gwen Mathews signs an autograph for Catherine Rossing during the MMHF open house Saturday
Gary Schroeder and Dain Moldan play polka songs during the MMHF showcase event. Moldan’s son Drayden dances along to the music.
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NEW ULM -- The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF) was packed with music fans Saturday during the showcase open house.
MMHF executive director Bonnie Ubl said it was the biggest showcase turnout they ever had with a crowd waiting to get in by early morning.
Each year after the MMHF holds its banquet to induct new members, a special public showcase event is held to introduce the public to the new displays.
This year's new inductees included Gwen Mathews, The Jolly Huntsmen, Rebecca "Becky" Buller, The Del Counts, and Father Jan Michael Joncas.
Gwen Mathews and her family attended the showcase. Mathews is an international recording artist, producer, singer and songwriter. She began her career in Minneapolis and has received awards for best female R&B, Gospel, Pop and Jazz. Mathews is the first solo African American female artist inducted into the MMHF.
Mathews was overjoyed to have a display dedicated to her career. Through most of the open house, she was available to talk with fans and sign autographs.
"It feels incredible," Mathews said. "I feel like I made it to the big time."
This year's showcase was also special because the hall was recently reorganized with certain displays moved around to better use the space.
After 35 years, the MMHF has acquired many items from Minnesota's musical history, but in the early days, much of the memorabilia were photos and pictures. MMHF Treasurer Dodie Wendinger said at first the hall had few artifacts, but that has since changed. Now most of the inductees' displays are centered around artifacts with photos and posters around them.
The Whoopee John display features his piano with other items located on the wall behind it.
Recently, the hall saw a huge influx of Prince memorabilia. Joel King, who collaborated with Prince in the film "Graffiti Bridge," help bring $85,000 in Prince memorabilia to MMHF. A new Prince section was created to house the items.
The new Prince memorabilia includes a life-size statue of Prince, paintings, clothing and a replica of his "Purple Rain" motorcycle.
King attended the showcase and gave visitors a history lesson on the donated items. He said most of the items started in Henderson. It was decided to move them to New Ulm's because the MMHF could better care for the collection.
A 15-foot-tall Prince guitar sculpture will also be placed outside the MMHF. The sculpture will likely be installed around May 21.
The MMHF is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from April to November.