meet volunteer jesse lopez of soulard
national blues museum: To be the premier entertainment and educational resource focusing on the blues as the foundation of American music
How long have you been a volunteer?
Ever since it opened in April of 2016. I had been emailing contacts at the museum because when I heard it was going to open, I knew I wanted to be a part of it; opening day was an amazing event. I only had been volunteering a few months when I was chosen as one of the top five volunteers for time spent there, which was so cool.
What made you interested in this particular cause?
I’m 59 and have been playing guitar for 50 years. I’m self-taught, and it’s been a passion of mine forever. It’s my release. Music always has been really important to me, so when I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, I thought it would be taken away from me, that I would never play again. I was living in Chesterfield at the time I was diagnosed and decided to move back to Soulard, where I had lived when I was younger, to experience music vicariously through my friends. But I ended up starting to play again because of my volunteer work. There was a traveling exhibit called Cast of Blues by Sharon McConnell-Dickerson, a world-renowned artist who is blind, and I was invited to the opening reception. I hadn’t played in two years, but someone encouraged me to bring my guitar. Big George Brock was playing, and one of the guitarists broke a string. Dion Brown, the museum’s executive director, told me to get up on stage and take over, so eventually I did. It was so moving and emotional. I hadn’t met Sharon at this point, but I sent her an email the next day about how she inspired me; if an artist who is blind can create art, a man with shaky hands can still play. Now, we have a great friendship. She gifted me a slide guitar signed by David ‘Honeyboy’ Edwards, an absolute legend, that he gave to her—all because I mentioned learning slide guitar to help with my hands. The mojo with that thing is incredible! I’ve had great experiences with it. Because I started playing again, I’ve gotten involved with the museum more and more.
What kind of volunteer work are you involved with?
It varies. Everyone at the museum treats me like family and has accepted my challenges with Parkinson’s, so it depends on how I’m doing that day. I’m sometimes just a greeter at the front door. I always welcome people by saying, “You’re about to experience 23,000 square feet of cool.” Or if I’m feeling good, I’ll work the galleries and talk to visitors about the museum and what they are experiencing. I want people to feel what I feel. I go to decompress and share the passion I have for the music and the institution.
If you could do anything for the organization, what would it be?
Create more awareness about the museum and get more people to volunteer. We always need donations and memberships because that keeps the place alive, but volunteers are really needed. The museum is not just about the blues; it’s history.
in the words of the national blues museum: “Jesse has been one of the most dedicated volunteers we could wish for! His enthusiasm for the blues is evident in all of his interactions with our visitors, and he deeply enriches the museum experience for everyone who comes. It’s also been rewarding for the museum staff to witness how volunteering has enriched Jesse’s life and revived his musical talents. ”
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography