Interview with Indianapolis Business Journal’s Dave Lindquist appeared in the December 5, 2024 issue.  If you do not have a subscription to IBJ, there may be a paywall.  Read the full article here. 

Executive Director Rick Wilkerson at museum (Photo by David Lindquist)

Executive Director Rick Wilkerson at museum (Photo by David Lindquist)


In June 2024 WISH-TV Channel 8 in Indianapolis aired a segment about the Indiana Music History Project on its All Indiana show, linked below.  Thanks to all of our media friends for covering us.

Indiana’s musical legacy: From Gennett Records to the Jackson 5


Executive Director Rick Wilkerson, interviewed by WIBC Radio’s Terri Stacy for Amazing Indiana Music Stories Exhibit at Indiana State Library

A century of Hoosier musical history is now on display at the Indiana State Library

A display of Jackson 5 records and memorabilia, on display at the Indiana State Library until the end of March 2024.


The Indiana State Library has begun hosting a series of free exhibits centered on Indiana’s pop music history.

“Amazing Indiana Music Stories,” organized by the Indiana Music History Project, features displays on Indiana Avenue jazz, Richmond’s famed Gennett Records, The Jackson 5 and more. They include records and memorabilia representing a century of Hoosier music.

The exhibits are on display at the library branch, 315 W. Ohio St. A free reception will be held from noon-3 p.m. Saturday to showcase the exhibition. The event will feature special guests, refreshments and a mobile gift show.

The Indiana Music History Project has launched a new exhibit, Amazing Indiana Music Stories, at the Indiana State Library (315 W. Ohio Street)


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Saturday, January 13th, was the reception for the Indiana Music Stories, but no worries if it was too cold that day to go (and yes, it was damn cold out). The exhibit goes until the end of March. Rick Wilkerson told me a bit about the Indiana Music History Project and plans for their future. Their goal is to preserve, promote, and document the legacy of Indiana music and musicians. They want to get exhibits out to people all over the state because there are so many stories to tell of the talented artists of the past 100 years. They are funded by grants, donations, memberships, and corporate sponsors. There is also a music station where you can listen to Indiana artists on Live365.com; just search “Indiana Music Radio.”

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The Indiana Music History Project is the primary initiative of Indiana Entertainment Foundation (IEF), an Indiana nonprofit whose mission, in part, is the preservation of Indiana’s rich music history. The exhibition features items from their collection of music memorabilia, including topics such as Indiana Avenue jazz, Gennett Records (Richmond), The Jackson 5, Indianapolis Soul, Indiana Rock, and Indiana Country/Rockabilly.

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IEF Executive Director Rick Wilkerson said, “This exhibition provides a glimpse of our much larger collection of Indiana’s most significant music history. Not all of the members of our board and supporters are musicians but all of us have been touched by music and Indiana’s proud musical legacy in all genres. We are grateful to The Indiana State Library to showcase these stories and our artifacts.”

The exhibit will continue into March, so make sure you get there to check out the exhibits from 8:30-4:30 Monday-Friday.

IEF is a fledgling nonprofit organization that relies on donations to operate. Visit www.indianafound.org to make your donations of artifacts and financial gifts. For more information, contact Rick Wilkerson at: wilkerson.rick@gmail.com

-Jean Scott

All photos by Kati Taylor

The Broad Ripple Gazette Gallery Sneak Preview Event Coverage
Random Rippling – Indiana Music History project Sneak Preview
posted: Jun. 01, 2023
The Indiana Music History project had a Sneak Preview party on April 27, 2023. The current home of the exhibit is in the lower level of the Broad Ripple Flanner Buchanan Mortuary at 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue [H10 on map]. The project is an initiative from Indiana Entertainment Foundation.
After opening remarks from Bruce Buchanan, Rick Wilkerson, from Indiana Entertainment Foundation, explained this important milestone of preserving the history of Indiana music with a physical exhibit.
The Indiana Entertainment Foundation Board includes Pastor Thomas Brown, Bruce W. Buchanan, David Fulton, Clark Giles, Ron Rice, and Lisa Sauce. The executive director is the well-known record collector and music historian Rick Wilkerson who once owned a record store in Broad Ripple. A full open house will occur this fall after the gallery has been redesigned.
“IEF fills an important void in documenting and celebrating the fabulous range of Indiana music, said board chair Bruce W. Buchanan. This rich history can’t be lost. We have much important work to do and welcome community support.”
The exhibit is open to visitors 9 am to 4 pm Mondays through Fridays.

Random Rippling - Indiana Music History project Sneak Preview

Random Rippling - Indiana Music History project Sneak Preview

Info on the newly released Gennett Suite recordings

Info on the newly released Gennett Suite recordings

An image of TV broadcaster Harlow Hickenlooper (Hal Fryar) and his original coat from the show

An image of TV broadcaster Harlow Hickenlooper (Hal Fryar) and his original coat from the show

Random Rippling - Indiana Music History project Sneak Preview

Old radio station carts

Old radio station carts

Cart machine from an Indiana radio station

Cart machine from an Indiana radio station

Photos of Indy DJ Jimmy Mack

Photos of Indy DJ Jimmy Mack

Random Rippling - Indiana Music History project Sneak Preview

Bruce Buchanan opening the sneak peak party

Bruce Buchanan opening the sneak peak party

Mark Buselli (sitting) and Brent Wallarab at the sneak preview party

Mark Buselli (sitting) and Brent Wallarab at the sneak preview party

Rick Wilkerson describing the new music history space at Flanner Buchanan

Rick Wilkerson describing the new music history space at Flanner Buchanan

Rob Dixon and Brent Wallarab listening to a music story

Rob Dixon and Brent Wallarab listening to a music story

https://www.randomripplings.com/issues/2023/20230601/rr_2.htm

Midtown Indy Magazine – June 2023 Sneak Preview Event Coverage