April Founder’s Letter

Let’s celebrate at the 3rd Annual Lorenzo Washington Day Gala benefiting the Jefferson Street Sound Museum, April 3rd at the Maxwell House Hotel.

The Museum is honoring Deford Bailey, “The Harmonic Wizard,” with the Country Music Trailblazer Award. Deford was the first African American to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.

Other honorees include: Sharon Kay, James “Watt” Watkins, Thomas Cain, Mike & Irene Turney (Papa Turney & Miss Zeke).

SEE YOU THERE!

SYMOR - START YOUR MONTH OFF RIGHT

Join us at Jefferson Street Sound Museum on Monday, April 7, from 7pm-9pm for an OPEN MIC and ARTIST SHOWCASE featuring CARLOS DEFORD BAILEY. GET READY TO LAUGH OUT LOUD with MIKE DREW, COMEDIAN EXTRAORDINAIRE.

This is a FREE EVENT!

SYMOR COMMUNITY. Calling all talented individuals: singers, musicians, comedians, spoken word and entertainers. This is YOUR TIME TO SHINE!

Join us on Saturday, April 12, from 4pm - 6pm for the Jefferson Street Sound Museum Legacy Series Fireside Chat with Mike & Irene Turney. They have many stories to share. They own Papa Turney’s BBQ, AKA Miss Zeke’s Juke Joint, NASHVILLE’S ONLY JUKE JOINT!

Mike played in clubs in and around Jefferson Street, the Elks Club, Cafe Unique, and The Black Diamond. Papa Turney’s and Miss Zeke’s Juke Joint looks like God wants the world to look, folks eating, fellowshipping, and loving each other no matter who they are.

Step back in time and tour the Museum. Listen and learn about the artists that performed on Historic Jefferson Street from Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, James Brown, Little Richard, Peggy Gaines, Jimmy Church, Frank Howard Jackie Shane, Ike and Tina Turner and more.

For those of you celebrating your birthday this month, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Please come and tour the Museum as we continue to ensure that our history, our sound and our culture is visible and thriving.

Many Blessings,

Lorenzo Washington, JSSM Founder and Curator

Save the date!

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Save the date! 〰️

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Belmont Stories

Lorenzo Washington Recognized by Global Honors Program for Preserving Nashville's Musical Legacy

Cara Davis, Belmont Stories, Belmont University
Updated Sept. 19, 2024

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Exit 207: The Soul of Nashville

"Exit 207: The Soul of Nashville” tells the story of Jefferson Street in North Nashville, a proud and resilient community that thrived during the Civil Rights Era, was deeply affected by the construction of Interstate 40 and is now fostering the future identity of Nashville’s Black community.

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A tour of the Jefferson Street Sound Museum will allow you to explore the BEST of the past!

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“Our group thoroughly enjoyed visiting your establishment, we truly appreciate you guys allowing us to visit after hours. The stories that you and Lorenzo shared were truly inspiring. We certainly want to come visit you guys again.”

–Max Houston, group organizer from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, on a 9 day tour of civil rights sights in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee.

The Museum welcomes students and visitors from all over the world.

Kings Academy 6th and 7th graders visited the Jefferson Street Sound Museum. A great group of students!

High school students from the Vanderbilt University Summer Camp tour the Jefferson Street Sound Museum.

Students were from all over the United States: Washington State, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, Puerto Rico, Iowa, Wisconsin, Florida, and Washington D.C.

Students from the Trombone Shorty Foundation visit Lorenzo Washington and the Jefferson Street Sound Museum.

The Original Music Row.

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Rising Above

Lorenzo Washington, founder and curator of JSSM writes about his life on Jefferson Street.

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