The studio is open and already recorded two bands: Bakealite 78's and now Sugarfarm last week. We still have finishing touches to do, namely the lobby, office and breakroom. I feel really blessed, as the Alan Lomax archive granted the JMH Foundation rights to use photos in their archive, which will be hung in the studio lobby. The photos can also be used to promote the JMH Foundation. In addition, we discussed using some of the field recordings to make a new compilation CD to benefit the foundation. I consider this one of the highest honors, and thank Anna Lomax Wood and archive director Don Fleming for their graciousness and support.
In addition to lomax photos, we will have some incredible artwork from an artist from Sante Fe, Sharon McConnell (www.sharonmcconnell.net) who is giving on permanent loan to the foundation, several of her face masks, which include Jessie Mae Hemphill, RL Burnside, Othar Turner and T Model Ford. Sharon is also a dear firend of mine. She loved Como so much that she is moving from Sante Fe to be part of the north MS experience, and I am seriously happy to hear about it!
Long time friends of the hill country, Yancey Allison and Bill Steber will also donate some of their wonderful prints to showcase our local musicmakers and life in and around Como, MS. All in all, this will be an impressive lobby to say the least! I hope and plan to eventually create a musem downtown for the JMHF at some point, to house the archive.
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in January, date still to be set. A press release will come out shortly. See you in MS!!
Delta Recording Service
PO Box 12
Como, MS 38619
www.deltarecordingservice.com
Jessie Mae Hemphill Foundation
(same address)
www.jmhemphill.org
