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Sierra Kondos

Special to the News

The Museum of the Gulf Coast was packed from wall-to-wall over the weekend as family, friends and fans watched the inductions of two musicians and a photographer into the exhibition halls April 6. The Southeast Texans pursued their interests despite societal expectations and collectively emphasized the importance of others finding and nurturing their passions from a young age.

Mike Zito, an American guitarist, singer, record producer, and songwriter, was initiated in the Music Hall of Fame, and Paul Orta, a blues harmonica player, and Bart Bragg, a celebrity photographer, were initiated in the museum’s newest hall, The Legacy Exhibit.

“The museum isn’t a dead-end street for careers, it’s a launch pad,” Tom Neal, museum director said. “Some of the people who have exhibits are still alive and living their dreams. The goal of the museum is to show young people the proof of what happens when one follows their dreams. Don’t limit yourself. There will be those who do, but then, there will be some who will pour their hearts and souls into a craft and when they look back on the years, they will say they were just having fun.”

That was the case for the late Paul Orta, a blues harmonica player from Port Arthur who traveled the world and, according to his brother Johnny, was married to his music. His induction into the Legacy Hall of Fame was the beginning of the event.

“One thing you’ll see in his exhibit is that he has traveled all over the place, made friends, toured with a lot of people, opened up for a lot of famous people and he made a difference,” Johnny Orta said. “And the blue business, a lot of people share stories with me with how much Paul’s helped and taught them the craft.”

Since Paul never married or had children, Johnny wanted to ensure Paul’s legacy would live on somewhere accessible in the city.

“Paul began playing at the age of 15 and he put everything into his music,” Orta said. “It was a dream come true for our family to have Paul inducted and our family members are going to be proud to go there and show his display to their kids and their family on down the line. I know he’s smiling up in Heaven. Tom Neal did a top-notch job on the induction and I’m just grateful that I finally got Paul in the museum.”

Bart Bragg, a celebrity photographer, began his career at 15 years-old when his parents bought his first Polaroid camera. He was inducted next to the Legacy Hall of Fame.

“It just evolved from one camera to the next,” Bragg said. “You know, getting better. And I did photographs in high school and college and in Vietnam. It means a lot to be recognized in your hometown. “I think the people that I’ve known and liked and worked with through the years come together and recognize your talent and your achievements is humbling.”

Bragg’s exhibit will showcase a wide range of photographs taken since 1964 from politicians and sports people to celebrities.

“My career has allowed me to meet people from all walks of life,” he said. “I took photos of presidents, like Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and his dad, George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Governors John Connolly, Bill Clements, Ann Richards and Rick Perry. I took Bob Hope’s photograph as well as sports icons Bob Phillips, Little Joe Washington, Elandon Roberts, Stephen Jackson and Jamaal Charles.”

Bragg said he lives by a Bible quote emphasizing the importance of compassion, empathy, and forgiveness in relationships, he believes has blessed his career.

“In the book of Ephesians 4:32, the Bible instructs believers to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you,” he said. “It’s a good life goal. Be kind to one another and it comes back to you.”

Mike Zito, an award-winning blues guitar player and singer, began his career at a young age although his parents did not approve.

“When I was young, I definitely liked to sing and dance and get in front of people,” Zito said.  “I was doing that since I was four years old, like getting in little talent shows and doing things like that. They’d always, you know, put me in them, and my sisters would take me. And then, I saw the Jackson Five on TV, and it was little Michael Jackson, that was probably 1976 and he was singing and dancing with the band. I remember dancing in front of the TV, being like, I’m doing that too.”

Zito said he tackled his goal in increments.  

 “This all just comes in increments,” he said. “That’s the thing I would tell young people. And my parents told me this is not possible. But then, I found out that there were guys that played music for a living in and around St Louis. And I was like, “Well, I can do that.” So then, I learned to do that. I met guys along the way that were traveling, and they would just come through St. Louis, and they had their own record out, and they weren’t famous, but people knew who they were through word of mouth. I went to see them and asked how they made a record because I want to do that too.”

Zito said the music industry is a slow process, but the takeaway is to ask those who are living the life you want on how they accomplished their goals.  

“Playing music doesn’t mean you have to be famous,” he said. “You can play music and have a fantastic career and not be famous at all, but you could still make a living. Any little bit of fame that I’ve ever received is later in life.”

Zito says he lives by a quote from a Southeast Texan Jazz and Blues player, Scott McGill.

“When I moved to Southeast Texas and met him, I said, “Boy, I hear you’re the best guitar player around.” And he said, “Well, I’m the best that shows up.” I thought, “What does that mean?” But I get it now. There are probably better musicians, but they’re not out here working as hard as I do. That just really stuck with me all these years, because you could be really, really great, but if you’re not out here doing it, who knows? Who knows who you are? So, I’ve really kind of put that to work over the years.”

Zito’s exhibit will showcase photos and a video of his life accomplishments to date, like his album “Life Is Hard” which has achieved notable success on the Billboard charts, reaching #1 on the Top US Blues Albums chart and placing at #11 on the Billboard Year-End Blues Albums Chart.

“All obstacles can be overcome with hard work, dedication and making a commitment,” he said. “And my thing is, anybody can do this if they work hard. Obviously, there’s talent involved, but I would say, all the talent I have today, I trained and worked hard. I think I just wanted it more than most people. So, I hope that young people can say like, “Well, hey man, if this guy can do it, maybe I can do it too, because that’s, that’s what helped me.”

The Museum of the Gulf Coast is located at 700 Proctor Street in Port Arthur.