No one would have thought twice about a museum dubbed The Bruce Springsteen Center considering the impact of the most legendary rocker New Jersey produced. Toss in that there are more than 40,000 artifacts ranging from guitars to childhood notebooks on display. That's more than enough to validate a name affixed to a destination that will attract music and culture fans from around the world.
But according to Eileen Chapman, the Director of the massive collection, Springsteen refused to be the lone focal point of a museum. It has to be a co-headlining gig so it's the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music.
"Bruce is more than pleased for this to be the Center for American Music," Chapman said.
From the looks of the $57 million venue, Springsteen's fans will be pleased as well. Springsteen aficionados will be more than sated since the Center for American Music will open June 7 so the general public can rejoice.
There will be a pair of unforgettable events that are preludes to the grand opening "Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us," June 4 and 5 at the Ocean First Bank Center.
A who's who of music will perform at the mega-events. Most genres of American music will be represented. Country star Kenny Chesney, blues guitarists Keb' Mo,' Shemekia Copeland and Jimmie Vaughan, hip hop legends Public Enemy, Soul singer Mavis Staples and Trombone Shorty and the New Breed Brass Band, who melds jazz and funk, Celtic-rockers The Dropkick Murphys and doo wop singer Dion are just some of the entertainers who will perform. Singer-songwriters Rosanne Cash and Jackson. Browne are on the bill. The event wouldn't be complete without a number of local heroes. Jon Bon Jovi and Steven Van Zandt will be on hand. The house band will be The Disciples of Soul.
According to the press release, each artist will perform landmark songs from American music history. Blues, bluegrass, rock, hip-hop, folk, jazz, country and gospel are among the genres that will be represented. Narration will precede each performance giving context to the artist, song and genre celebrated."
Robert Santelli, the executive director of the Springsteen Center and the concerts' executive producer, is excited about the event. "The concerts reflect everything the Bruce Springsteen Center for American music stands for: the power of music to bring people together, the rich and diverse treasury of American music as a mirror of our national culture and the inspiration to think about our shared history in these divisive times.
It's special nights for a unique venue. An array of guitars and other instruments donated by Springsteen and members of the E Street Band will be on display. However, some of the coolest items are the hand drawn posters by the Boss from his early days with the Castilles, Steel Mill and Earth. His mother Estelle's many meticulous scrapbooks, which chronicled much of Springsteen's career will be part of the exhibit.
Chapman expects considerable demand throughout the summer. Crowds will be immense throughout the summer at the much anticipated venue.
"We'll do timed ticketing to allow only a certain number of people to enter," Chapman said. "We don't have a choice. We want to make sure people have sufficient time to experience everything."
Just like attending a marathon Springsteen show, there's much to consume and digest at the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music. It appears that the venue will be unlike any other music museum. That's apt apt since there is no other singer-songwriter like the unparalleled favorite son of Freehold.