2010 June 21 FP Museum

Winnipeg Free Press
June 21, 2010
Manitoba's music
past pretty groovy
By: John Einarson
Did you know that a St. Boniface-born singer once held
all top five spots on the South African record charts and
earned A&M Records its first gold record? And do you know
that a Winnipeg-born songwriter is credited with penning two
of the greatest cowboy songs of all time -- Tumbling
Tumbleweeds and Cool Water? Or that Sesame Street's
Oscar the Grouch was named for a Winnipeg-born folk
singer/songwriter?
How about that the world-renowned queen of Celtic
music got her start singing at Winnipeg's Hollow Mug dinner
theatre? Or that one of the finest blues/boogie woogie piano
players in North America began her career playing for the
Royal Winnipeg Ballet? And did you know that a popular
local children's entertainer numbered some 50 million
viewers for his weekly television show?
Do you know that a celebrated Manitoba-born opera
diva made her American debut singing alongside Placido
Domingo and has sung at the prestigious Metropolitan
Opera? And did you know that a Winnipeg rock band once
played at the White House by special invitation of Tricia
Nixon?
And were you aware that Manitoba recording artists in a
variety of music genres account for well in excess of 100
million records sold worldwide?
Back in August of last year, the Free Press published my
response to a news story that suggested a music museum in
Winnipeg was a dead issue. Not so. The dream is very much
alive.
As a first step towards achieving this worthy goal, the
Manitoba Museum is hosting Shakin' All Over: The Manitoba
Music Experience from July 1 to September 6 in Alloway
Hall. Sponsored by the MME (Manitoba Music Experience
Inc., a dedicated group of civic leaders), the 6,000-squarefoot exhibit is a joint private and public-funded multi-media
celebration of the rich, colourful and diverse musical heritage
of our province as represented by nine music genre pods:
First Nations and Métis, Franco-Manitoban, folk and roots,
country music, blues, jazz, children and family music,
classical and opera, and rock music.
Each individual pod is chock full of photos, artifacts,
memorabilia and made-in-Manitoba music of that particular
genre. The exhibit itself boosts more than 400 photos. There
are video displays of both vintage and current Manitoba
artists on video screens throughout the exhibit as well as on
a giant screen.
Visitors can see multi-platinum francophone singer/
songwriter Daniel Lavoie's 1967 piano, bluesmen Brent
Parkin and Big Dave McLean's vintage guitars; Al
Simmons' original seven-foot high Human Jukebox;
Errol 'C-Weed' Ranville's distinctive cowboy hat; the custommade stage dress and boots worn by Cindi Cain at
Neil Young, seen here (right) with the band Buffalo
Springfield in 1966, is part of our music experience.
Nashville's Fan Fare; Loreena McKennitt's elaborate gown
worn in her "The Bonny Swans" video as well as her
platinum album award; original posters from Jazz
Winnipeg Festivals signed by all the artists; the famous
'bubblegum' dress; Guillaume's suit; the bronze telescope,
and the original production maquette from Manitoba
Opera's spectacular Transit of Venus; a Manitoba-made
Linkon pedal steel guitar; Fred 'BTO' Turner's 5-string
bass and platinum record award; an original cel from The
Simpson's featuring BTO and signed by Matt Groening;
Guess Who guitarist Kurt Winter's Gibson guitar; vintage
Garnet amplifiers; and even the original footage of the
Beatles' stopover in Winnipeg in 1964. Plus band jackets,
T-shirts, posters, rare recordings, magazines, newsletters,
autographed photos, even the door to the notorious
1960s-era downtown Cellar club.
And this is only some of what there is to see and
experience. Each weekend will feature live presentations
and performances on a stage in the exhibit hosted by the
various genres plus special events throughout the
summer.
The Shakin' All Over summer exhibit is merely the tip
of the iceberg and a teaser for what a permanent
Manitoba music facility could include. We've only
scratched the surface. There is a lot more history to
preserve and celebrate. In addition, educational and
outreach programs, workshops, and archives will allow
further generations to learn from and appreciate our vast
and diverse musical heritage.
Come to the Shakin' All Over exhibit this summer and
enjoy the memorabilia, music and memories (and learn
the answers to the above questions). Share in the
nostalgia of the past and excitement of the future. And visit
our website at http://www.manitobamusicexperience.ca to
share your own memories of Manitoba music and artists
and for more information about how you can help make
the dream of a permanent Manitoba Music Experience
facility a reality.
John Einarson is a local music historian and
author of more than a dozen books.