EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

100 Plus One™ . . . Before Motown and Beyond takes form as a domestic and international traveling exhibit celebrating black music and how it changed the world.

 

            The traveling exhibit contains an exhaustive compilation of music related artifacts connecting the historical significance of African American’s music contribution to the world for the past 100 plus one™ years.

 

            The 100 Plus One™ exhibition is distinguished as the first exhibit that reflects the original creative music of America.  The exhibit highlights and celebrates the styles of black music artists and companies.  The contributors are placed within the social context tapestry of not just American music but also American history.

 

            The concept is original and complimentary to other established institutions such as The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Motown Historical Museum, The Rhythm and Blues Foundation and other events, or societies, etc.

 

            100 Plus One™ makes use of timeline exhibits spanning from 1900 – 2001. The exhibit includes music of Scott Joplin and interweaves with the music of other developing genres of music such as spirituals evolving into Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Be-Bop, Rhythm and Blues, Country and Western, Soul and Rock leading into the birth of the Motown sound and its legacy on young Americans onward to the contemporary sounds of today including Rap/Hip Hop and Neo-soul.

 

            Before Motown rose to prominence, Atlantic Records, founded by Ahmet Ertegum and Herb Abramson, Capitols, Columbia, United, Chess, Brunswick and others supported black music.  These contributors cannot be overlooked, and their presence is still felt today particularly Atlantic Records covering 50 years of music. Atlantic Records continues to be a major force in black music.

 

            Jazz and Motown artifacts and memorabilia anchor and dominate the 100 Plus One™ collection.  Motown’s contribution touched the souls of young Americans and the world.  Motown’s and Midwest’s independent record companies’ contributions play a major part of the exhibited timeline.  This includes individual artists and genres that preceded or coexisted but in fact explain in small part how Motown was an extraordinary feat.

 

           

Beyond . . . Continuing beyond Motown’s departure from Detroit, the exhibit continues to follow the timeline of black music, again with emphasis on those genres that coexisted and those that developed.  The exhibit also highlights Disco, House Techno, Rap and Hip-Hop and the contributors that made it happen.

 

            The artifacts and memorabilia exhibit is much like an interactive accordion expanding and incorporating items that tell the story over the past 100 Plus One™. . . Before Motown and Beyond years.  Documentaries, first-person narratives, photos, clippings, unheard “lost recordings”, films, etc.  These components make up the 100 Plus One™ exhibit, a must see experience for the young and future generations from the avid musicologist to a basic music lover to a curious neophyte as well.