Carmichael Room honors famous IU music alumnus

You might have heard his music on a Norah Jones CD, at a Straight No Chaser concert or even back in pre-school without even realizing it. \nHoagy Howard Carmichael -- a Bloomington native who composed such famous hits as "Georgia on my Mind," "Stardust" and "Heart and Soul" -- is permanently memorialized at IU, which houses the largest collection of Carmichael memorabilia in the world.\nThe Hoagy Carmichael Room, located in Morrison Hall Room 006, is a memorial to the famous singer and songwriter. The room was dedicated in October 1986 with a notable audience that included Herman B Wells. \nMegan Glass, office manager of the Archives of Traditional Music, gives tours of the Carmichael Room.\n"The donations of memorabilia in the room started with Hoagy's family wanting to donate something in honor of him to the University. After this, others began to donate, too," Glass said.\nMary Stuart Bowser, a family friend of Carmichael's, was asked to design the room and gladly took the opportunity. \n"If it hadn't been for IU, I wouldn't be where I am today. I can't give them $25,000, but I can give them my time and talent," she said.\nThe room might seem plain but includes many interesting artifacts. The rocking chair of Lida Carmichael, his mother, the basis of Carmichael's song "Ol' Rockin' Chair," is on display in the room. In addition, awards given to Carmichael, such as his Grammy and Oscar, are surrounded by handwritten compositions including "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening." \nAlso, one of Carmichael's eight personal pianos -- a rosewood inlaid spinet piano by Storey and Clark -- is on display and is one of only two left in existence. Glass mentioned that the piano is still played during a variety show featuring Carmichael's songs on his annual birthday celebration. \nCarmichael's son, Hoagy Bix Carmichael, explained that his father's link with IU is so strong that there is no other appropriate place for the collection.\n"(The collection) is where it should be. He was born just across Dunn Meadow, grew up here, went to school here, wrote some of his best songs here, had some of his best memories here, returned here often and is buried here," he said. \nThe Carmichael Room is host to a variety of concerts and lectures sponsored by the Archives, titled the "Noon Concert and Lecture Series." These concerts are free and open to the public. The musicians are local artists who play anything from folk to pop and jazz to classical music. The concerts are held at noon every Friday. Sheasby Matiure will perform tomorrow, and the Annual Hoagy Carmichael Birthday Celebration will be Nov. 11. \nThe Hoagy Carmichael Collection's Web site, http://www.dlib.indiana.edu/collections/hoagy, offers a virtual tour of the room. Visitors who are not attending a concert and would like to view the room may access it by appointment by calling 855-4679 during regular Archive hours.