MENU
On May 3, 2022, City and County officials reached an agreement for the site of the permanent home for the Hall of Fame to be the Town of Marks, Mississippi. The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame was founded in 2010 by former basketball player and Hall of Famer Lamont “ShowBoat” Robinson. Robinson has inducted many of the most notable figures in Rhythm & Blues music in annual ceremonies held in various cities. Robinson cited the tremendous history of the area related to Music and Civil Rights among several reasons for deciding to place the Hall of Fame in Marks.
The location of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Museum and Entertainment Village in Marks and Quitman County will provide a natural, authentic, and historic platform for the Hall of Fame. The founders intend to showcase the origins and future of rhythm & blues in a variety of specifically-designed educational and interactive experiences and attractions, allowing visitors and tourists to partake in a truly historic setting.
Groundbreaking Ceremony
More Info
History of R&B
Music
More Info
Quitman County Music History
More Info
Our Induction Process
“If there is going to be a National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame it belongs in Marks, MS!”
LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson
Founder
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame
Welcome to The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
No other American music genre has had the universal appeal and global impact as Rhythm & Blues. Despite its enormous influence, there is no one place that tells the comprehensive story of this uniquely American music. The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame will celebrate Rhythm & Blues and related genres artists, plus business and political individuals, that have made major contributions to the world’s music industry.
Lets make a big difference in preserving R&B Music History.
The National R&B Hall of Fame coming to Quitman County – Marks, MS.
National R&B Hall of Fame Promotional Video
CLICK TO PLAY
Celebrate R&B Icons
Our mission is to Educate, preserve, promote, and present rhythm & blues music by inspiring knowledge, appreciation, and celebrating the history of rhythm & blues music globally.
Aretha Franklin
was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the “Queen of Soul”, she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone‘s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
Prince
was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Widely regarded as one of the greatest musicians of his generation, he was known for his flamboyant, androgynous persona and wide vocal range, which included a far-reaching falsetto and high-pitched screams.
Usher
is an American R&B singer. He was born in Dallas, Texas, but raised in Chattanooga, TN, until moving to Atlanta, Georgia. At the age of 12, his mother put him in local singing competitions before catching the attention of a music A&R from LaFace Records.
Urgent help needed now
In order to make this a reality we need help from multiple sources.
Raised: $525,270; Goal: $25,000,000
Videos
Past Induction Ceremonies
October 4, 2015 – Detroit, MI
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Four Tops
2015 Inductee
August 21, 2016 – Dearborn, MI
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
Cathy Hughes
2016 Inductee
June 3, 2018 – Detroit, MI
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
Melba Moore
2018 Inductee
Inductees
Volunteers
Amount needed to be raised
Years Active
You can choose how you want to donate.
Here you will find information on how to make your donation to make this special project a reality.
We are exploring multiple platforms and avenues to raise the capital to make this project a reality. We are already off to a great start so with your help we can make a permanent home of the National R&B Hall of Fame a reality.
Donation
Brick Drive
Make your mark at the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Buy a custom engraved brick as a gift, as a special dedication with your name or your favorite artists’ or loved ones.
Donation
Memorabilia
Memorabilia is the beating heart of our institution.We pride ourselves for not
just the high level of design and display, but also providing a platform to tell stories about the artists and in the best circumstances, so that the story told is unique, authentic, and in the voice the artist would like it communicated.
Check out what the Legends & Dignitaries have to say
The Quitman County stakeholders are to be commended for their hard work in coming together in solidarity to have Marks/Quitman, Mississippi selected as “the home” for the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will be the catalyst to Delta tourism growth and opportunities, and a means to attract business and industry. I am grateful to the founder and CEO LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson and his board for having the vision to select Quitman County, which will be the “official home” of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame”.
Rep. Bennie Thompson
U.S. Congressman
“I am super excited about the opportunities that awaits Quitman County and the Mississippi Delta with the announcement of the location of the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame (NRBHF) being located in historic Marks MS. I look forward to working with Mr. Robinson CEO of NRBHF, the Quitman County Board of Supervisors and City of Marks to bring this to fruition.”
Senator Robert L. Jackson
CEO, Quitman County Dev.
“First, let me say I am honored to be included amongst the incredibly talented artists that hold the distinction of being inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. It goes without saying, the importance of this hall of fame being established gives recognition to the bodies of music that we as artists have been able to share with many who have, and continue to support our careers.”
Dionne Warwick
R&B Legend
“This is a great day in music history and for the legacy of rhythm and blues music and artists, I am a very proud member and inductee of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.”
Marshall Thompson
The Chi-Lites
“I am very grateful to have Mr. LaMont “ShowBoat” Robinson come to Quitman County to bring the National R&B Hall of Fame, which will be a tribute to all the music legends that hailed from the Delta. I see this project as bringing awareness to our musical roots and heritage and a means to create opportunities within our community”.
Mayor Joe Shegog
City of Marks
“The Quitman County Board of Supervisors president, Manuel Killebrew, stated that Quitman county is very fortunate to have been selected as the site for the NRBHF. Killebrew sees this project as a means to help address the poverty barriers by bringing jobs, opportunities, and economic revival to this county.”
Manuel Killebrew
The Quitman County Board of Supervisors President
“Hi, Ladies and gentlemen for whom it may concern. I heard about what is about to take place in Marks, MS. R&B Hall of Fame I want to be a part of this project to preserve the Icons of such great R&B men and women of the Delta and elsewhere like Muddy Waters, Howlin, BB King and James Brown. Just to name a few. I’m one of the oldest blues men standing and living in MS. Not only will this educate us about R&B but on the other hand, it will teach us about Jim Crow days and how much things have changed but yet how much things remain the same. The Civil right movement with Martin L King and others, how many legendary blues artists came out of the Mississippi Delta and around Marks, MS what a wonderful thing you are doing. Mrs. Wilson, thank you for asking me to be a part of such a wonderful thing like this. It will no doubt be Mark, MS on the map as a tourist town. Good luck and I wish you well. See you at the groundbreaking may God continue to bless you.”
Bobby Rush
Blues Legend
“Hello LaMont,
Thank you so much for all of your support in the ‘Arts’. It is people like you who really go that step beyond. Again thank you for all you have done. I look forward to seeing you next year at the ‘RHYTHM BLUES HALL OF FAME EVENT.”
The Late Mary Wilson Co-Founding Member of The Supremes ‘
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Inductee
National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Board Member/Host MC
Last Email to Me 11/3/2020
Mary Wilson
The Supremes
Upcoming Events.
The main purpose of developing the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame is to collect and preserve artifacts and to document accomplishments of individuals involved in R&B, Gospel and Hip-Hop music.
Press Conference
Ground Breaking Ceremony
2022 Inductees Announced
2022 Induction Ceremony
Latest news & articles from around the world.
©2022 The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Foundation. All Rights Reserved
