(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) —
The New Jersey Music Hall of Fame (NJMHOF) will officially open in the summer of 2006 in Asbury Park, NJ. It will include a museum that encompasses artists from throughout the state in every musical genre, musical inventions and details of significant events in music history that took place in the state. The NJMHOF was created to preserve and promote the rich musical heritage of music in New Jersey, foster the growth of the next generation of musicians, and provide educational programs for students to experience music.
"From the invention of Thomas Edison's phonograph to Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, the Four Seasons, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and up to current emerging stars like Fountains of Wayne, New Jersey has been at the forefront of musical innovation unparalleled by any geographic location in the United States and probably the world," said John Scher, president, Metropolitan Talent/Hybrid Recordings.
Asbury Park was selected for the home of the New Jersey Music Hall of Fame because its central geographic location provides easy access to locations throughout the state as well as to Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, DC. In addition, Asbury Park has a long and illustrious history as one of the state's leading music scenes.
"Asbury Park is the heart and soul of New Jersey's music scene," said Mayor Kevin G. Sanders, City of Asbury Park. "Music has been the thread that has kept this city together through the good and bad times. This is a memorable event at this point in the City of Asbury Park's revitalization that the NJMHOF has decided to make it their home."
The New Jersey Music Hall of Fame is confident that the state's musical history will draw music fans from around the world to the museum. "Fans of Bruce Springsteen have been coming to Asbury Park for decades," said Gary wien, President of NJMHOF. "With the addition of artists like Frank Sinatra and Count Basie and inventions like the phonograph and electric guitar, the drawing power and prestige of this museum is enhanced dramatically."
"There is always a latent demand in terms of music tourism (examples: Liverpool and Memphis) and I am so happy to see these dreams materialize in Asbury Park," added Simon Osborne, property manager, Speke Hall, National Trust, United Kingdom.
"Everyone is more than aware of the impact that rock and roll has had on New Jersey, but the NJMHOF will build awareness that there exists a very broad cross section of music from opera to Bruce," said Tim McLoone, restauranteur, Musician, and Founder of Holiday Express.
"Asbury Park is the perfect city for the NJMHOF and I am very excited to be a part of it!" –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen
