The statue is Hoagy Charmichael, born in Bloomington and attended Indiana University which is where this life-size bronze statue resides.
Wikipedia notes: ‘Hoagland Howard “Hoagy” Carmichael (November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981) was an American composer, pianist, singer, actor, and bandleader. He is best known for writing “Stardust”, “Georgia On My Mind”, “The Nearness of You”, and “Heart and Soul”, four of the most-recorded American songs of all time.
Alec Wilder, in his study of the American popular song, concluded that Hoagy Carmichael was the “most talented, inventive, sophisticated and jazz-oriented” of the hundreds of writers composing pop songs in the first half of the 20th century.
The Hoagy Carmichael Landmark Sculpture by artist Michael McAuley was dedicated at Indiana University on Sept. 18, 2008. The photo blog Hoagyland! captures the small, daily tributes left by fans at the statue.’
© 2010, Debra. All rights reserved.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually met Hoagy Carmichael! He was fabulous. Loved seeing this sculpture of him…I didn’t know about it.
Beautiful statue, I really love a beautiful piece of public art especially ones that truly honour someone…. & Oh My….. “Georgia on my mind”…. I love that song!
I love that these posts take me out of my food-centric life. Thank you for teaching me about someone I’d never heard of. As always, a wonderful post!
A familiar sight! So good to have you both in town yesterday : ) Made my day!
I just love, love, love this sculpture. As a fan of public art, I really wish we had more of it in our town. Maybe it’d be easier if someone of Hoagy’s fame and talent grew up here.
When we make it to Indiana, I’m having Mr. RGBistro pose on the bench next to Hoagy fo for a photo opp.
[K]
P.S. Great tune!
That is such a cool statute! Who is it of and where is it darlin’?