Capital Campaign News

Big & Rich to Help Museum Capital Campaign

07/23/08



American country music stars Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich, better known as Big & Rich, have been named honorary co-chairmen of Deadwood’s Days of ’76 Museum Capital Campaign, the museum board announced today.

Museum officials are raising $6 million to build a new 32,000-square-foot facility for the Days of ’76 Museum’s extensive collection of horse-drawn wagons, Native American art, Old West artifacts and rodeo history. The City of Deadwood and Deadwood Historic Preservation donated $3 million to the museum project. A number of businesses, foundations and individuals have also joined in the campaign. In fact, on the day of the campaign’s official launch, the Days of ’76 Museum Board is two-thirds toward its goal, with nearly $4 million in pledges to date.

Today’s announcement that Big & Rich will be honorary co-chairmen marks the official launch of the capital campaign to raise the remaining $2 million.

“Deadwood has been a good friend to us, and we’d like to return the favor. We’ve shared a lot of good memories over the years, so we’re happy to help out with this project,” said Big Kenny.

“And the town of Deadwood has such great, Wild West history. The Days of ’76 Museum is home to so much of that history. We think this is something important to preserve,” added John Rich.

Big Kenny and John Rich have a lot of friends in Deadwood. Before their success as Big & Rich, they performed in Deadwood’s bars and casinos. They wrote their song, “Deadwood Mountain,” while playing at the Buffalo Bar on Deadwood’s Main Street. And their hit song, “8th of November,” grew out of their friendship with Niles Harris, a Vietnam veteran and Deadwood resident.

Big & Rich have returned to Deadwood several times over the years for music videos, photo sessions, personal appearances and visits with old friends. In 2005, they shot the video for their hit song, “Big Time,” in the Black Hills. They filmed in downtown Deadwood, at the Moonshine Gulch Saloon in Rochford and other Hills locations.

In addition, the Days of ’76 Museum Capital Campaign has launched its own interactive Web site, www.daysof76museum.org. The site contains detailed information about the museum, the collections, the project and the donors.

The Days of 76 Museum is home to more than 50 horse-drawn wagons, stagecoaches and carriages. The museum also houses the Don Clowser Collection of Old West artifacts, antique firearms and American Indian arts and crafts. It has an historic clothing collection and serves as the repository for photos and memorabilia preserving the 85-year history of the Days of ’76 Rodeo.

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For more information:
daysof76museum.org
Kristi Wagner
(605) 717-6333
kristi_wagner@rushmore.com