Growing up in radio here in Jacksonville, I’ve seen a lot of local musicians go from playing small clubs to making it big nationwide. That’s why it’s great to see the city finally celebrate that history with the new Riverfront Music Garden downtown.
Located along the Northbank Riverwalk behind the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts, the garden pays tribute to the artists and bands that helped shape Jacksonville’s sound over the years. Featured artists include Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, Ray Charles, Shinedown, Yellowcard, Limp Bizkit, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Molly Hatchet, 38 Special, JJ Grey & Mofro, 95 South, 69 Boyz, Quad City DJs, Marcus Roberts, Gram Parsons, Ma Rainey, Tim McGraw, Lil Duval, Walter Orange, Blind Blake, and the songwriting brothers James Weldon Johnson and John Rosamond Johnson.
The park includes interactive music displays, public art, and walk-of-fame style exhibits that highlight Jacksonville’s influence on Southern rock, blues, jazz, hip-hop, and country music.
For a city with this much musical history, it feels like recognition that’s been overdue for a long time.