WWLTV: Louisiana Music & Heritage Experience set to transform New Orleans
Interior rendering of the forthcoming LMHE
From WWLTV: A state-of-the-art, technology-driven institution honoring the music culture born in New Orleans, is slated to open in the city in a few years, with an economic impact of $6 billion over the next 30, but the location is still up in the air.
It was back during the COVID mass shutdown when a member of the Krewe of Tucks got inspired by the charity Funky Uncle Live which streamed weekly a live music show from the Tucks den, raising a million dollars to help 942 musicians and gig workers stay on their feet during COVID. Today, that man has been working for four years to plan and execute the Louisiana Music and Heritage Experience.
“So, imagine going in and being able to select from your favorite jazz musicians and pick out Buddy Bolden and have a conversation with a hologram about Buddy Bolden,” said Chairman of the Board Chris Beary.
Beary plans to build the facility that honors the American music story created in New Orleans, while funding those that keep it going every day.
“People like Elvis and John Lennon say that Fats Domino is the true king of rock and roll, produced by Cosimo Matassa changed the world.”
He says it started with the field hollers of the enslaved that developed into spiritual songs, to gospel, to the blues, then to jazz, and rhythm and blues, to rock and roll, rap, hip hop, then bounce. He says the lack of government support drove the Grammy Museum to Los Angeles and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to Cleveland when New Orleans was the first choice.
“New Orleans was their first choice. They ended up in Cleveland because the state of Ohio passed a bed tax to fund it being in Cleveland. That institution now is a $250 million annual economic impact in that city,” he said.
Now they are looking at three sites: the original near the end of the Convention Center, but there have been delays with differences between the River District and Convention Center. And two others. One is on South Rampart, where jazz had its origins, and the other on Basin, overlooking another historic music site, Congo Square.
He says what's different this time is that there's not only government support but bipartisan support. He says the state has pledged $28.5 million and the city has already given a million.
Beary is ready to have a site contract signed this year.
