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A new museum exhibit examines the progress of the coin-operated music industry, and the jukebox’s close connection to American culture, from the early 20th century to the present. It opened last month here at the Public Museum, where jukeboxes built by the Rowe/AMI organization, a hometown factory hero, are the focus. Located in Van Andel Museum Center, the exhibit is scheduled to run through December 31, 2008.
Called Jukebox Heroes, the exhibit features 10 automatic music machines that the museum bills as “Eighty Years of the Coolest Music Machines You’ve Ever Seen!” According to Rowe, museum personnel hand picked the models and created an eye-catching display to reveal their distinctive characteristics. To enhance each jukebox’s lighting theme, officials darkened the display area to show off their brightly lit colors and skillfully crafted cabinets.
On display are classic machine models, on loan from Rowe International’s own collection, that reflect various eras of modern American history. The pieces also explore developments in technology that inspired the engineering and manufacture of automatic player pianos and 78-RPM and 45-RPM coin phonographs, along with laser compact disc and contemporary digital downloading jukeboxes. Rowe/AMI jukeboxes are known for their styles that echo the periods they served, from the “Art Deco” motif of the 1930s to the vivid sci-fi designs of the 1960s.
The museum’s tribute to the jukebox follows one of Rowe’s biggest milestones: the production of the one-millionth jukebox reached in July 2006. That jukebox, a digital NiteStar that connects to the AMI Entertainment Network, Rowe’s online music management service, is a central part of the exhibit where it is fully operational, allowing museum-goers to select music from different jukebox eras.
Rowe’s senior vice-president of sales and marketing, John Margold, brought the idea of a jukebox exhibit to the Public Museum. “The pride of all Rowe personnel was evident when they watched the millionth jukebox roll off the production line, and we really wanted to share the history of our company and these classics with the community,” he said.
Chris Carron, the museum’s director of research and interpretation added, “This is an excellent example of a long-time Grand Rapids manufacturer producing a product that really touches people. These music gems have been a part of our culture for almost 100 years providing entertainment, creating memories and playing the songs everyone can relate to.”
The museum unveiled Jukebox Heroes on May 5. Joining museum officials for a grand opening celebration on May 23 were representatives from Rowe; Merit Entertainment; Harbour Group, parent company of Rowe and Merit; Felder Communications, Rowe’s PR firm; Wolverine American; and Professional Marketing.
This spectacular array of music jukebox history is a display not to be missed. Rowe has been an American leader in the development and manufacture of jukeboxes and audio technology for almost 100 years and Rowe will continue the production of these music gems well into the future.
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Jukebox Heroes runs from May 5, 2007, to December 31, 2008. Location: Van Andel Museum Center at the Public Museum in Grand Rapids, MI. Times are Monday-Friday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Sunday from noon to 4:00 PM. Admission: adults, $8.00; seniors, $7.00; and children (3-17), $3.00. Focus: Jukebox Heroes looks through 80 years of music by way of Rowe International, the oldest surviving manufacturer of jukeboxes. The millionth model, a NiteStar Internet jukebox, allows guests to select and play music from all of the different eras represented. Jukebox Heroes is free with admission; tickets can be purchased at the door.
Museum information can be had by calling (616) 456-3977 or visiting www.grmuseum.org.
www.roweinternational.com
Dianna Stampfler Promote Michigan Plainwell, MI 49080 269-330-4228 - cell Dianna(at)PromoteMichigan.com www.PromoteMichigan.Blogspot.com
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Promote Michigan is an independent marketing consulting company specializing in media relations for the travel/tourism/hospitality industry in Michigan. This includes hotels, restaurants, wineries, casinos, resorts, golf courses, attractions, campgrounds and everything in between. Michigan's $17.5 billion tourism industry is one of the top three in the state.
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