DALE AND GRACE TO BE INDUCTED INTO DELTA MUSIC MUSEUM HALL OF FAME
APRIL 7, 2007
BATON ROUGE, LA -- Secretary of State Jay Dardenne announces that Dale Houston
and Grace Broussard, better known as Dale and Grace, will be inducted into the
Delta Music Museum's Hall of Fame along with John Fred Gourrier during this
year's festival on April 7, 2007 in downtown Ferriday.
Dale and Grace hit the top of the charts with "I'm Leaving It Up To You" in
1963. John Fred and His Playboy Band topped the charts in early 1968 with the
hit "Judy in Disguise."
THE MUSEUM
Music is in the air at 218
Louisiana Avenue. The former U. S. Post Office in Ferriday has been
completed renovated and outfitted as the Delta Music Museum. Located in
Concordia Parish and just a few minutes away from historic Natchez,
Mississippi. Ferriday was home place to entertainers Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey
Gilley, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, blues trombonist Pee Wee Whittaker, General
Claire Chennault, and newscaster Howard K. Smith, and is now home to the new
museum, dedicated on March 2, 2002.
Previously known as the Ferriday Museum and housed in a small
bank building, the Delta Music Museum is a new addition to the Louisiana
Department of State's Historic Museums Program. The city acquired the former
post office property as a purchase/donation from the Ater Brothers of Ferriday.
Legislation introduced by Representative Bryant O. Hammett, Jr. passed the
Legislature in 2001 adding the new museum to Secretary of State Fox McKeithen's
museums program. Under this arrangement the city will own the facility and
contribute towards the budget, but it will be funded, operated and staffed by
the state.
The building, constructed in 1939-40, has been completely
remodeled to accommodate the museum's exhibits, and includes space for live
performances and future interactive exhibits. Many of the building's original
features have been restored and help to create a special nostalgic ambience for
visitors. For example, vintage post office boxes line the museum's lobby, just
as they did when it was first constructed. The new museum consists of
interpretative and interactive exhibits focusing on the history, music and
culture of the Louisiana-Mississippi Delta region. Music galleries with
interactive music kiosks, mannequins and more are planned. The museum will also
recognize other national figures such as General Chennault, Howard K. Smith and
Ann Boyar Warner, who married Hollywood producer Jack Warner.
MUSEUM SHOP
Visit our museum store specializing in Louisiana music
memorabilia, as well as a variety of Louisiana books and gifts.
LOCATION
The museum is located in downtown Ferriday in Concordia Parish,
just minutes away from Natchez, MS, and a convenient drive away from
Alexandria, LA. Ample on-street and private parking lots are located nearby.
Tour buses are welcome. Click here for a MAP.
Contact us at 218 Louisiana Avenue, Ferriday, LA 71334.
Telephone (318) 757-9999. Email:
deltamusic@sos.louisiana.gov
HOURS OF OPERATION
Visit the museum Monday through Friday from 9 AM until 4 PM. The
museum is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. Organized, scheduled student
groups are welcome. We are handicapped accessible.
Music is in the air at 218
Louisiana Avenue. The former U. S. Post Office in Ferriday has been
completed renovated and outfitted as the Delta Music Museum. Located in
Concordia Parish and just a few minutes away from historic Natchez,
Mississippi. Ferriday was home place to entertainers Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey
Gilley, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, blues trombonist Pee Wee Whittaker, General
Claire Chennault, and newscaster Howard K. Smith, and is now home to the new
museum, dedicated on March 2, 2002.