River Music Experience Information

The River Music Experience is a downtown Davenport museum to preserve and celebrate American musical heritage. It is located in the 19th century Redstone Building, the former Petersen Harned von Maur department store. Here's how two notable local journalists describe it:

"Jazz, blues, gospel, rock and roll, country, folk, bluegrass, Cajun and zydeco -- it's all of the musical flavors that have contributed to and influenced contemporary music all over the world. It's our mission and goal to establish RME as the primary resource for visitors, writers, artists and researchers who seek comprehensive history and interpretation of our American roots-music traditions."
- Ellis Kell

"Nurtured by cultural migration and a hearty stock of blues, jazz and other indigenous art forms, the roots of American music have branched along the Mississippi River for decades."
- Sean Leary

Upcoming Events:

Most musical events are held at Mojo's, the coffee shop on the first floor.

Some Memorable Events:

Opening Weekend

The Quad Cities' newest museum opened June 12 with an outdoor concert.

Smooth Groove, 9:30-11a.m. on the outdoor stage.
Mike and Amy Finders, 11-1 in Mojo's coffee shop.
Tom Pease, 11-2 p.m. inside in the children's gallery
The Funktastic Five, 12:30-2:30 p.m., outdoor stage.
Mark Arnould and Buzz Reed, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Mojo's coffee shop.
Douglas & Tucker, 4-6 p.m., Mojo's coffee shop.
Joe Price, 6:30 p.m., outdoor stage.
Pieta Brown and Bo Ramsey, 7:45 p.m., outdoor stage.
The Blue Band, 9 p.m., outdoor stage.

Johnny Hiland

"Unless you follow the developments in the world of guitar, chances are excellent you've never heard of Johnny Hiland. But if you like intense country-flavored guitar, you'd be remiss not to check him out..." - Jeff Ignatius
http://www.rcreader.com/display_article.php3?index=1&artid=1862

Louie Bellson's 80th birthday party.

"Mr. Bellson, who attended Moline High School, played with big band legends like Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. He was the husband of the late Pearl Bailey." - Dustin Lemmon
http://findusat309.com/articles/2004/Louie_Bellson.html

What others are saying about RME:

Sounds of history flood River Music Experience grand opening
"Katharine Bagdon of Detroit was visiting friends Friday in the Quad-Cities who invited her to a preview of an opening of a museum called the River Music Experience. She liked what she saw. 'So far, it��s impressive,' the stay-at-home mom said as she guided a cursor at the 81-foot-long River Wall, watching a video of gospel singer Sister Rosetta Sharpe. 'I like the interactive exhibits, and there��s a good use of graphics and sound.'" - David Burke
http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?t=Search&doc=/2004/06/12/stories/local/1029417.txt

River Wall anchored at music museum
"As the Mississippi River rolls on, ever changing, so, too, will the River Music Experience feature a variety of different attractions. However, while the revolving door of performers and exhibits will spin, there will be some permanent exhibits that will always be anchored in the space." - Staff
http://www.findusat309.com/articles/2004/RME_exhibits.html

Mississippi River Role in Music Celebrated
"The River Music Experience celebrates the musicians and cities up and down the mighty river that helped shape and reinvent jazz, country, blues, rock 'n' roll and more. " - Staff
http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20040611/108698352000.html