The roster includes Architect Stephen Perkins of the Washington, D.C. and Dallas firm of Forrest Perkins; museum interpretive design and exhibit firm Gallagher & Associates of Bethesda, Maryland; Economic Research Associates, international consultants to the entertainment and leisure industry with offices in Washington, D.C. and throughout the world; as well as the law firm of Loeb & Loeb, who will represent the Foundation on intellectual property matters.

The museum project originated with a group of King fans and civic leaders in Mr. King¹s hometown of Indianola, Mississippi. After months of talks and planning, the group, with Mr. King¹s and his management firm¹s blessing, began work in earnest.

“We have consulted with the architectural departments of two universities on site selection, Mississippi Development Authority/Tourism officials on
feasibility and tourism issues, put together a Museum Foundation of dedicated individuals, and partnered with other esteemed Mississippians and professionals who know how to bring this project to life,” said McPherson.

The $10 million museum facility will be approximately 15,000 square feet upon completion and designed for an interactive and educational experience. It is projected to open in 2005, during the international celebration of B.B. King¹s 80th year.

King visited Indianola, Mississippi in early June for his annual Homecoming concert as well as the dedication of an historic marker honoring him. The marker, located at the corner of Church and Second Street, marks the place where 17-year-old B.B. King first played the Blues professionally for passers-by. Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove was present during the June 5 unveiling of the marker, the first of many to be erected along the Mississippi Delta Blues Trail. In his remarks that day, Governor Musgrove presented a proclamation to Mr. King, a 13-time Grammy winner, naming him “Blues Ambassador for the State of Mississippi.”

City of Indianola Mayor Arthur Marble also deeded a 2.3 acre site to the
Museum Foundation. The museum site is located near downtown Indianola on Second Street and is home to a 19th-century cotton gin where young Riley B. King once worked. This connection to the place where Mr. King grew up and first dreamed of playing the Blues is significant, according to Architect Stephen Perkins.

“It has been my experience that when a museum is woven into the fabric of the place with which a famous person is associated, the more powerful the attraction becomes,” said Perkins. A Natchez, Mississippi native and master plan developer for such projects as Tokyo DisneyWorld, Perkins sits on the board of the Smithsonian Institute. His most recent project in the Mississippi Delta was the transformation of the Irving Hotel into the Alluvian, a boutique hotel in Greenwood developed by Fred Carl, Jr., president of Viking Range Corporation.

Bill McPherson sees the Museum as a way to showcase the accomplishments of a man who has performed in over 90 countries and influenced such musical icons as John Lennon and Eric Clapton. Yet B.B. King started life with few advantages. “The B.B. King Museum,” said McPherson, “is the place were we can honor the dreams of a Delta kid who became ŒThe King of the Blues.”