Crossroads Music Company is moving to the Arts District in Winnsboro

Press Release From Crossroads Music

WINNSBORO, TX. -- Crossroads Music Company has partnered with Winnsboro Center for the Arts to lease and restore a historic building to turn it into a musical sanctuary.

The 106-year-old building located at 204 Market was donated to the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) by the Leaton family in honor of their son to be used for arts purposes.   WCA is allowing Crossroads owners Stephen Marshall (art/photo/film) and Denice Grugle (Piney Woods Live) to lease and restore the building in order to keep quality music alive and available in Winnsboro.

 

The Leaton Building is currently a shell but an exact duplicate of the building that currently houses Crossroads.  Restoring this building will be a community effort.  Professionals have already volunteered services from sound engineered design to swinging hammers; musicians have offered to help raise money to buy supplies and music-loving  residents have offered their complete support.  

 

Founded by Lynn Adler & Lindy Hearne, Crossroads has hosted hundreds of talented musicians during the past few years.  The artists travel the world but love coming to Winnsboro.  Performers such as Ruthie Foster, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Billy Joe Shaver, Terri Hendrix, Big Wide Grin and so many more have enjoyed the Crossroad’s audience.  The spirit and history of Crossroads will continue.  Plans include preserving the listening room style with the hardwood floors and high ceilings while enhancing sound, comfort and overall listener experience.  The new design will allow Marshall (art/photo/film) to capture high quality sound and video for professional reproduction.  Marshall has aptly described Crossroads as “feeling like you are inside a guitar with beautiful music surrounding you.”

 

There are only three more concerts scheduled on the original stage at 216 N. Main Street and the February 13th attraction, Rhett Butler - sponsored by Mayor Carolyn Jones, will be the final show in this building.  The WCA stage, located at 200 Market Street, will be enhanced and upgraded to be utilized for Crossroads performances during the renovation period.  This partnership allows collaboration on grants and combined support for all downtown events.  Marshall & Grugle plan to have their first concerts in the Leaton Building around mid-summer.

 

One of the first, “Crossing the Road” concerts will host Billy Joe Shaver, sponsored by Don Roberts Abstract and Bank Texas.   Shane Shepard, Winnsboro Economic Development Director state,  “Crossroads has become the destination venue for live music entertainment.  The casual listening room experience appeals to both patrons and performers.  This collaborative effort demonstrates the spirit of Winnsboro and its support for Crossroads. “

 

Crossroads has truly been blessed by their many supporters and volunteers and looks forward to welcoming everyone in their new and improved location.  To volunteer or for more information about Crossroads “Crossing the Road” contact Stephen Marshall or visit www.CrossroadsMusicCompany.com

 

Contact:  Stephen Marshall, Operations

                                                                                                                                                                   Crossroads Music Company

                                                                                                                                                                   903- 342.1854

                                                                                                                                                                   www.CrossroadsMusicCompany.com

 

 

 

 

Currently: 216 North Main Street.  Soon to be: 204 Market Winnsboro, Texas 75494

 

 

 

 

 

Fact Sheet:  Property at 204 Market Street

• In 2004, the Leaton family graciously donated an adjoining building at 204 Market Street to the Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) to use for the arts and for future expansion. 
• The building had been used for storage for several years and WCA intended to bring the circa 1901 building up to code to make it habitable.  Unfortunately WCA was unable to secure the necessary funding.   
• The building continued to remain vacant and be used for storage during the ensuing years.  This was a continuing concern to WCA. 
• In 2008, WCA conducted a series of strategic planning sessions and the 204 Market Street building was discussed in detail at the time.  Some Board members felt it would be in the best interest of the Art Center to sell the building; other Board members wanted to keep the building for future use.
• The Board discussed alternative uses for the building - art studios, a possible museum or renting to another arts-related business.  The Board determined a criterion should they choose to lease the building – they would consider a lease-only arrangement to an arts-related business.
• The Winnsboro Economic Director attempted to help with leasing and a couple of non-art businesses expressed interest in the building, but nothing was pursued.
• In November 2009, Denice Grugle and Stephen Marshall of Crossroads Music Company approached the Executive Committee of WCA with a detailed proposal to lease the building for a period of 7-years.  The owners of Crossroads were interested in bringing the building up to code and making lease-hold improvements en lieu of a reduced monthly rental.
• The WCA Executive Committee reviewed the proposal from Grugle/Marshall, determined that it met the criteria and decided to recommend it to the full Board at their scheduled January 2010 meeting.
• The WCA Board voted to enter an “exploratory phase” to obtain a legal opinion on several points, then proceeding to a Letter of Intent.  A notice was placed in the Winnsboro News to announce the possible rental of the building.
• After reviewing the legal opinion letter and lease prepared by the attorneys, the WCA Executive Committee voted to proceed with the lease.
• The WCA Board is very excited about partnering with another arts-related group.  This seems to be an ideal solution to benefit Crossroads, WCA and the community – the circa 1901 building would be renovated and brought up to code; Grugle/Marshall would use the building for arts-related purposes and the Arts Center would retain ownership for future expansion; Crossroads would have an affordable home and remain active in Winnsboro; and the new Cultural Arts District would be enhanced by the two groups working together.

Immediate Current Needs: (Sponsor - trade for tickets - Just be nice!)

Long panels with materials

Lumber

Sound System

Lights

Plumbers, Carpenters, Masons

Meals for workers

Overnight accomidations for out of town workers

Web People to help do updates facebook, myspace and the website

Thanks to all who have encouraged, cheered and sponsored Crossroads.

*** Special Thanks to Winnsboro Center for the Arts and John Alexandar

 

 

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