The 100 Men Hall refurbished a 1956 Silver Streak Clipper (Studio DBA) to create a podcast and recording studio that is docked at a permanent Studio DBA Station at the Hall while also expanding year-round public access during scheduled annual tours along the MS Blues Trail to preserve oral histories, conduct interviews, record live music and provide a container for the exchange and archiving of creative Mississippi. Studio DBA houses recording and lighting equipment in an accessible venue that will document the real lives of Mississippi musicians, artists and legendary performers (artists) whose life-long talents and struggles are often expressed in an hour or two of pure joy. Recognizing social inequality in the arts forces us to confront the reality that often, audiences understand too little of the artistry and authentic lives of the performers who entertain us. Refurbishing and expanding this public point of access allows us to document untold numbers of standard culture bearers’ lives for future generations of Mississippians.

 While Studio DBA is not a brick and mortar structure, the realities of living on the Mississippi Gulf Coast require a flexible interpretation, one that helps preserve history in the event of catastrophe (in particular, weather related). In keeping with the vision of the Building Fund for the Arts Grant, Studio DBA remains “docked” at 100 Men Hall during most of the year and will maximize its role as a literal vehicle for culture during frequent story-gathering pilgrimages through other locations in Mississippi and along the Chitlin Circuit, expanding our ability to provide year-round public access to a scale we would not otherwise reach.

The project is made possible through a MAC Building Fund Award, with additional funding from MS Coast National Heritage Area, Coast Electric Round Up, and Silver Slipper Hotel & Casino.

The 100 Men Hall Studio DBA project seeks to document through story-telling, live music performance, and candid interviews, the music and art of Mississippi. Studio DBA intends to live stream music, interviews, anecdotes, and oral history. [The 100 Men Hall also curates and maintains a digital library of live recorded music and oral histories that Provides additional continuous stream of recorded culture and entertainment.] 

Silver Streak Clipper donated to the Hall by Erin Walters-Bugbee

Refurbished by Jesse Loya
Trailerport Construction by Ed Madden Woodworks with Jesse Loya
Design by Unabridged Architecture
Upholstery by Juanita Shiyou
Exterior Polishing by Ben Wilemon

Sound and production by Jesse Loya
Videography by Southern Wayz
Photography by Melanie Cole
Photo of Studio DBA by Ann Madden