It opened in 2004 to wide acclaim for a largely visual attraction: the second floor River Wall that featured snippets and images of American music generally linked to the Mississippi River Valley.

It morphed the following year when new director Lon Bozarth put an emphasis on performance, increasing the number of events and launching the successful RMEcourtyard outdoor, summertime shows. He also created the inaugural River Roots music festival, intending it as an annual event responsible for generating as much as 20 percent of the RME's annual operating budget.

This week, RME opens the Redstone Room, a 175-seat performance hall that permanently evicts that old River Wall that was the opening exhibit just 21 months ago.

 Nov. 13, 2006:RME starts over

 Good-bye and good luck to River Music Experience CEO Lon Bozarth. He will leave behind a flock of admirers, a bloc of detractors, a few unfulfilled promises and a whole bunch of memorable river music experiences.

To be fair, the promises were more like dreams. But from Bozarth's lips, they were certainties. Wired classrooms and recording studios in the basement. Web dissemination and sale of RME-created music and videos. A network of live music marketers street teams, he called them that would create a music scene where none was before.

Harold Hill with a Texas drawl.

The Redstone Room may be best legacy Bozarth left after 22 months. His leadership created a place like no other around here. It seems to actually be creating a new music scene, one of Bozarth's promises.

Also gone from RMEis Ellis Kell, respected blues musician and the glue that held the place together under Gibbons and Bozarth.

DavenportOne can handle the books. Volunteers can handle the crowds or tour groups.

But someone's got to provide the mojo.

March 2, 2007:RME finds a groove

 Skip the RIP for RME. Downtown Davenport's River Music Experience seemed teetering with abrupt departure of two successive directors. But a funny thing is happening...

Volunteers are rushing to the rescue.

Fans are packing the Redstone Room... for shows by Iris Dement, Marty Stuart, Alejandro Escovedo, 3 Years Hollow, The Winter Blanket, Andrew Landers and Ellis Kell, JSan & The Analogue Sons, and the sensational Smooth Jazz Series presentation of Gregg Karukas.

Sure, the challenges are far from over. But just three months ago, we wondered how a busy Downtown Partnership staff could not only sustain RME, but provide the mojo to keep things happening.

Looks like they found it.

May 17, 2007:RME finds the passion

The return this week of RME originator Ellis Kell shows even more promise. Rather than a step backward, Kell returns as program and education director, taking full - passionate - charge of the events that occur before dark in the RME and Redstone.

For those only passingly familiar with RME, it would seem as if Kell never left. He continued publicizing all kinds of events for RME.

Detractors can look at the revolving leadership and conclude RME is struggling. They'd be right.

But that's just part of the picture. Supporters who actually visit the RME are seeing a fuller picture.

Kell's return puts a face on the passion that's arising from the staff and growing volunteer corps. Stop in and welcome him back. Enjoy some music. And add your name to the volunteer list.