Indiana Music History Project lands big donation
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A collection of recordings by Indiana musical artists valued at about $100,000, including original vinyl releases by John Mellencamp, Hoagy Carmichael and Zero Boys, has been donated to the Indiana Music History Project.
The collection of albums, compact discs and tapes, as well as Indiana concert posters and flyers, was owned by Rick Wilkerson, co-founder of the not-for-profit behind the preservation effort.
“It’s the largest Indiana music collection we know of that will be archived and preserved, rather than sold off piecemeal to collectors,” said Wilkerson, the former owner of two record stores in Indianapolis: Missing Link Records and Irvington Vinyl. “The historical value outweighs the money that could be generated from selling it.”
The collection includes more than 1,500 LPs, more than 1,000 45s, more than 1,000 compact discs and hundreds of tapes, home demos and 78s, according to a new release from the organization.
Other notable artists in the collection include Zerfas, Sir Winston and the Commons, Anonymous, Rhythm Machine, and an unreleased 1964 performance by Wes Montgomery recorded by a fan at what is now called the Hilbert Circle Theatre.
“Rick’s donation is a major victory for future generations,” said Bruce Buchanan, president of the Indiana Entertainment Foundation, the not-for-profit parent of the Indiana Music History Project. “Now the rich history of Indiana’s deep and diverse music experience will be preserved, documented, and made available to the public.”
The foundation began in 2014 as the nonprofit Indiana Music and Entertainment Museum, according to its website. In addition to a gallery in the lower level of the Flanner Buchanan funeral home in Broad Ripple, the foundation operates an online database of Indiana musical artists and a streaming radio station, among other initiatives.
Part of Wilkerson’s collection is on display through the end of March at the Indiana State Library in an exhibit titled “Amazing Indiana Music Stories.”