BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — It’s a big weekend at Owensboro’s Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Museum. An exhibit honoring the late Jerry Garcia is now open, drawing in fans from across the country.
Steven Duchovnay, an attendee at the event, traveled across the country to come to the opening. “I’ve never been to Kentucky before. I’m from Denver, and the exhibit is phenomenal,” he said.
The exhibit is called “Jerry Garcia: A Bluegrass Journey.” It highlights the impact the musical artist had on bluegrass and folk music when he was alive.
Garcia is known for being the lead guitar player of the iconic rock band Grateful Dead; however, his musical journey began with bluegrass and folk music in the 1960s, and he continued to play bluegrass throughout his life. The Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Museum connected with the Garcia family to collect artifacts such his original guitars and banjos.
“We have over 12 instruments, which is a lot for a musical artist,” said Carly Smith, the museum’s curator.
Many fans gathered, with some of them personally involved with Garcia’s career. One of them was Dennis McNally, who was a publicist for the Grateful Dead in the 80s and 90s. “There was just something about him that people loved, and they wanted to follow him around and listen to him.” McNally shared.
But a lot of the museum visitors were loyal fans who were happy to be there.
Chad Wells, an attendee of the event, said, “It’s amazing. I mean, these are things you will never see. It’s private collection stuff. It’s owned by family, owned by close friends.”
Seth Woodward, another attendee, said, “It’s just amazing to listen to a musician for years, and now come to see their own artifacts.”
A passion so big, it makes people a little emotional. “I’m seeing pictures that take me back to camping in a tent with Walmart hiking boots,” Duchovnay said.
The exhibit will run for two years.