Published: June 08, 2008 10:50 am            

John Watson: Museum honors Texas’ musicians of the past

Over the past century Texas has produced many great musicians, perhaps more than any other state. These musicians run the range from hillbilly to country western, rhythm and blues to soul, rock ’n roll to rock-a-billy, jazz and tejano. Some of the musical styles originated in Texas. Honky-tonk, down-South hip hop and ragtime are some of the variations of American music that began in Texas.

Texas music and musicians have left their mark on the American musical scene over the years.

The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage highlighted country music stars from Texas for several years. Now the Texas Musicians Museum honors Texas musicians of all genres. The good thing about this museum, you don’t have to go far to visit, just down the road in Hillsboro.

Thomas Kreason, the executive director and historian of the museum, worked for Sun Records for many years. He has a passion for music and anything to do with music or musicians. He has spent a lifetime collecting music memorabilia. A year ago this past March he purchased a place in Hillsboro so he could put his collection on display for the public to see.

Thomas spent two months setting up all the displays and opened for business last June.

Among the many items on display is a tuxedo shirt, coat and guitar that once belonged to legendary country crooner “Gentleman” Jim Reeves from East Texas. You may also view Houston native Barbara Mandrell’s stage dress and shoes, and rock ’n roll sheet music written by Beaumont’s J. P. “Big Bopper” Richardson for his own wedding.

Did you know that the “Big Bopper” recorded the first music video? You can view the video while visiting the museum.

One picture shows J. P. “Big Bopper” Richardson with Gordon Baxter, fellow DJ and friend. They worked together at radio station KTRM in Beaumont.

Some of the musicians featured include Blind Lemon Jefferson, Zuzu Bollin, Dooley Wilson, Janis Joplin, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gene Autry, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Jim Reeves, Barbara Mandrell, Tanya Tucker, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings, Buddy Holly, Freddy Fender and Selena. As you can see by this partial listing, some of the featured artists go back to the very beginning of Texas’ recorded musical history.

There is a special display for “The Light Crust Doughboys,” featuring Pappy Lee O’Daniel. Do you remember them? That is where Bob Wills got his start.

One of the posters on display reads: “The Record World’s most exciting new personality; follow Buddy Holly from his “Peggy Sue” to his “I’m Gonna Love You Too.”

You will come to know each of the artists through their pictures, displays of some of their clothing, musical instruments and play bills. Thomas will also tell a little history of each artist.

Unlike other museums where you wander through looking at displays and reading a few notes about each one, here you are given a one hour personally guided tour with Mr. Kreason giving very detailed descriptions of the various musicians.

The featured attraction at this time, as noted on the sign at the entrance, is “The Day the Music Died,” The Big Bopper Unearthed featuring his actual casket from 1959.

This sounds like it would be a very macabre scene, but it is very tastefully done. The display, in a little side room to itself, features a photo of the original funeral setting along with the casket and floral sprays duplicating the ones in the photo from 1959. Is this truly the original casket and how did the museum acquire it? You will have to visit the museum and let Thomas explain that.

The museum is in an older house on North Waco Street that has a large back yard. A stage set up there so they can have outdoor concerts.

Throughout the month of June they will be having “Live Music Saturday Nights” featuring the music of Tucker Peterson. The opening program begins at 7:30 p.m., and Tucker comes on at 8:30 p.m. For information, call the museum at: 254-580-9780.

Mark your calendar for Labor Day weekend. The museum will feature “Texas Pop Fest Revisited” on Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day, Aug. 30 and 31. The best little Woodstock in Texas. For more information on Pop Fest check the website at: www.TexasMusiciansMuseum.com and click on “Pop Fest Revisited INFO.”

The museum is closed Sunday through Tuesday, but it can be reserved for private appointments and special group tours. Wednesday and Thursday it is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday it is open from noon to 9 p.m.

The museum is located at 212 North Waco Street in Hillsboro. From Cleburne take Texas 171 to Hillsboro, then turn left at the first red light, and cross the RR tracks. At the second red light take another left onto Waco Street, and go north three blocks and look for the sign on the right.

Whatever your musical tastes, whether country, soul, rock ’n roll, jazz or swing, you will find something to your interest here.



John Watson is a Cleburne resident who can be reached at texastraveler@sbcglobal.net.

        

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