Side Projects: The Jim Irsay Collection

Performance Anxiety

This is an episode of a different kind, even for the Side Projects series of the podcast. I’m joined by Larry Hall. Larry is the Chairman of The Jim Irsay Collection; one of the most amazing private collections of musical and historical artifacts in the country, if not the world. Jim Irsay is the owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. But his love of music, history, pop culture, and in many instances, their convergence, set off a spark that resulted in an unbelievable collection of artifacts. The Jim Irsay Collection spans over 2000 pieces and Larry is in charge of it all. He reveals how the collection started with the original 200 foot long scroll of Jack Kerouac’s On The Road and has grown exponentially over the years to include some unbelievable items. There’s Prince’s Yellow Cloud guitar, Jerry Garcia’s Tiger, John Lennon’s antique piano that he used on Sgt. Pepper’s, Kurt Cobain’s Fender Mustang, and a grand piano played by Elton John, John Lennon during his last live performance, Freddie Mercury, AND Paul McCartney at Live Aid. Then there’s the guitar that saved acoustic guitar making in America and Dylan’s guitar from the Newport Folk Festival.

Larry also discusses some historical pieces like a hat that was to be presented to JFK on the day he was assassinated, a knife owned by Abraham Lincoln, and an original copy of the Declaration of Independence. The collection tours the country, visiting a new city every few months. Larry talks about the logistics and safety measures taken when everything hits the road. This truly was a unique conversation and one that I’m so glad I can share. If you get the opportunity, go see The JIm Irsay Collection. You can check out the website, jimirsaycollection.com to see where the collection is heading as well as the social media links, which are getting a complete overhaul as we speak.

You can follow us @PerformanceAnx on Twitter & Instagram. You can help to support out collection of great conversation by buying us a cup of coffee at ko-fi.com/performanceanxiety or by picking up our non-historical merch at performanceanx.threadless.com. Now get ready to be blown away by Larry Hall of The Jim Irsay Collection on Performance Anxiety on the Pantheon Podcast Network.

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