North Little Rock celebrates Arkansas music history with the new ATG Pavilion
North Little Rock is officially turning up the volume on the state’s deep musical roots. With the recent opening of the ATG Pavilion, the city has created a permanent home for the stories and sounds that shaped American music, putting Arkansas’s legacy front and center. As KATV reported, the site’s debut was marked by a “two-day roll” of community energy, signaling that this isn’t just a static monument, but a space intended for active engagement.
The pavilion houses 21 bronze sculptures created by artist Kevin Kresse, a project that John Guadin, the campaign chairman of the ATG Pavilion, noted was born from a desire to finally elevate Arkansas musicians who “really hadn’t gotten their due.” For visitors, the experience is designed to be accessible and unpretentious; as Rachel Reynolds, VP of Cultural Experiences at North Little Rock Tourism, put it, “You can just show up.”
The lineup of legends in stone
The pavilion features seven notable musicians, each chosen for their profound impact on American music. Johnny Cash anchors the collection with a bronze sculpture positioned at the front of the space. This piece is an exact replica of the statue Kresse designed for the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, where Cash serves as one of two official representatives of Arkansas, alongside Daisy Bates.
The roster of honorees highlights the diversity and reach of the state’s influence:
- Louie Jordan: Hailing from Brinkley, he is recognized as a pioneer who blended blues and jazz to become, in the words of project organizers, the “godfather of rock and roll.”
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Often cited as the “godmother of rock and roll,” her gospel-infused sound provided the blueprint for legends like Elvis and others.
- Al Green: The soul icon from Forest City.
- Glen Campbell: The legendary musician from Delight.
- Florence Price: A Little Rock native who shattered barriers as the first African American composer to have her work performed by a major orchestra in the United States.
- Levon Helm: The drummer for The Band, whose roots are claimed by both Turkey Scratch and Marvell.
Connecting the past to the present
The pavilion is designed to be more than a visual gallery. Visitors can use QR codes located at each sculpture to access the Arkansas Music Foundation website, which provides historical context and encourages deeper connection with the hometowns of these artists. The impact of the space is already being felt; organizers noted that one recent visitor was so moved by the atmosphere that they brought their own saxophone to the pavilion to record music alongside the artwork.
The celebration of this legacy extends beyond the physical walls of the pavilion. The city is preparing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of The Last Waltz, Martin Scorsese’s documentary about The Band’s final concert. On November 25, the city will host a VIP event, followed by a free community screening on November 28 featuring food trucks and what organizers described as “a big celebration.”
A deeper dive into the legacy
While the pavilion is a celebratory addition to the cultural infrastructure of North Little Rock, it serves to elevate Arkansas musicians who organizers felt had not previously received their due.
