Richard Chalk<blueman@computek.net> Date: Mon, 08 Dec 1997
Dear Mr. Broski,
Blues is an indigenous true American Art form. Every bit as true blue American as Country and Western, Apple Pie and Bar B Que.
Blues is a part of American history. A VERY important part. To destroy a piece of American Black history such as a Blues Music historical monument such as Maxwell Street, is to smudge the honor of the Black race and all the Black Slaves that created this music as a reaction to the persecution they received from the white man.
The founders and creators of Blues Music and their historical places of community and inspiration should be remembered, preserved and glorified.
Other intelligent city fathers around America have chosen to preserve these sites and have generated substantial community tourist revenue and tax dollars to the government, such as you represent. More money for the government. Music to your ears? How about Blues Music money music to your ears. Can't get much sweeter. Free money for the government generated from a true, promotable part of Americana and American heritage and history.
Memphis has it's Beale Street. Dallas has it's Deep Ellum. Other communities, such as Helena, Arkansas make SUBSTANTIAL tax and tourist revenues every year from the Blues Festival held there, in celebration of it's cultural Blues heritage. New Orleans has the French Quarter, which decidedly IS a unique musical situation. But Blues is a BIG part of New Orleans's musical history. And the New Orleans government milks it for every last dollar.
Even Chicago makes a LOT of income from the annual Blues Festival. Maxwell Street is A VERY BIG PART of what Blues Tourists go to Chicago to see. They PAY for this historical and American inspiration for Blues Music and it's roots.
So PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY MAXWELL STREET. Destruction of American history is a travesty and a dumb expenditure of taxpayers' dollars. Why not MAKE MONEY from Maxwell Street's place in American cultural history. Get with the program as other smart cities are doing. Use Blues and it's history to MAKE MORE MONEY! To even THINK about destroying a big potential city profit center... What on earth is going through your mind? Get with the program!
Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
All the best,
Richard Chalk
Topcat Records
Keep Them Blues Alive 'n Kickin'!!!
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