Alabama Music Hall of Fame
TUSCUMBIA – Wiley Barnard got the e-mail a few days ago that the purchase deal was being put on hold by Northwest Shoals Community College. “The work will continue at The Alabama Music Hall of Fame (AMHOF),” he told The Quad-Cities Daily. “It’s going to be a struggle, but we’re excited about the future,” he continued, “Rodney (Hall) has done a stellar job as Chairman of the Board, and we all believe in it.”
Dr. Humphrey Lee, NWS-CC President
The AMHOF has been struggling for years since the Legislature cut off all funding due to budget constraints. When Dr. Humphrey Lee, President of Northwest Shoals Community College, offered to purchase the land and improvements 6 months ago, it seemed like things were looking up. Chancellor Freida Hill gave her approval for the transaction. Lee was going to use the facility as a laboratory for music industry students, and the building was going to get a face lift and be reopened, which thrilled Tourism officials. In September, Mark Heinrich became the new Chancellor of the State’s Community Colleges. Heinrich then put the purchase on hold, so that the property, the title, and the transaction details could be further evaluated. Lee said in a prepared statement, “The new (Alabama Community College System) Chancellor, Dr. (Mark) Heinrich would like us to evaluate the purchase of the property (AMHOF) before we continue further into the process,” stated NW-SCC President Humphrey Lee. “After speaking with Dr. Heinrich, he and I are in agreement and want to make sure we are diligent with this decision concerning the College and community by examining every aspect of this acquisition.”
As for now, with no lease, and no suitor in the form of Dr. Lee, the building is closed and everything is on hold.
As for the near-term, Barnard says that progress is still being made on new exhibits with a professional museum company in Nashville. He said, “People must realize that the Hall of Fame is more than bricks and mortar.” When asked about Barnard’s personal plans for the future, he said, “I am absolutely here. I’m excited about the future.”
As far as the options that may be available to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Bernard is keeping things close to his vest. However, he is expecting to issue a media release within the next two weeks that help describe future plans.
There is a new AMHOF website. the link can be found here: Alabama Music Hall of Fame
