Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame Announces
Honorees for 27th Anniversary Induction Gala
The
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class of 2010 will
include the following:
JACK BLANCHARD & MISTY MORGAN:
A performing duo who have been perennial country
music favorites. They received the Billboard
Magazine Country Duet of the Year, 1970 and
were selected over other high-profile stars
including Johnny and June Carter Cash. Their
crossover hit, "Tennessee Bird Walk",
topped the charts for weeks, they been made
Lifetime Members of The Country Music Association
and they have appeared on numerous national
television shows.
RAY EVANS: The songwriter of such enduring
standards as "Mona Lisa", "Silver
Bells", "Que Sera, Sera", and
"Buttons and Bows". Among his many
achievements, he and his partner, Jay Livingston,
received 3 Academy Awards for Best Song, and
were nominated for 4 others.
JO ANN FALLETTA: Since stepping up
to the podium as Music Director of the Buffalo
Philharmonic Orchestra in the fall of 1999,
Maestro Falletta has been credited with bringing
the Philharmonic to a new level of national
and international prominence. The JoAnn Falletta
International Guitar Concerto Competition
has brought international acclaim and attention
to the classical guitar, the Buffalo region,
and the BPO.
JESSIE GALANTE: With her first band,
"Actor", she rapidly became the
number one female singer in the region and
was crowned the city's "First Lady of
Rock". She is a prolific recording artist
with a following in both the U.S. and Europe
where her latest CD, SPITFIRE, is a major
hit.
KATHY LYNN AND THE PLAYBOYS: Originated
in WNY in 1963. Their recordings from '64
through '66 were local and regional hits,
and received national airplay. Their recording
deals included Motown Records as the first
non-black artist released on that label.
EDDIE TICE: Is being inducted as a
life-long promoter of concerts in the Buffalo
area, first with Festival East Concerts &
then with Harvey, Corky & Tice Productions.
Fans of sellout performances of national and
international acts at Rich Stadium or the
Memorial Auditorium have Eddie Tice to thank
for bringing these acts to Buffalo.
MARK WINSICK: As an energetic performer
as a singer and guitarist as well as producer
and song writer, Mark Winsick defines the
Sound of Buffalo Blues. An award-winning blues
guitarist, his guitar licks are equaled only
by his searing vocals, especially during his
popular live performances.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was created
for the cultural enhancement and enrichment
of Buffalo and Western New York. Inductees
have achieved success is the music industry
on a national and often an international scale
and are chosen by a formal nomination process.
Nominees are rated in several different categories
including longevity in Western New York, community
service in music, and musical versatility.
Bob Silvestri, Chair of the Nominations Committee
of the BMHOF notes: "This year's Induction
gives us the opportunity to reach back and
honor some long-time performers as well as
to enjoy the workings of some of our great
contemporaries." Greg Hennessey, Chair
of the Gala observes: "It's a real array
of Classical, Show Tunes, Country & Western,
Old and New Rock, and Blues performances -
and a great Hall of Fame Induction.
Members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
from previous induction classes will be in
attendance to honor and induct the Class of
2010 on October 7th 2010 at The Tralf Music
Hall. Food and refreshments will be available
through the Tralf facilities. Tickets are
$20 at all Ticketmaster locations; charge
by phone 852-5000, or through the Tralf Box
office.
The Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Music
Hall of Fame is seeking new members and those
interested in sponsorship opportunities. Those
interested in supporting membership or board
membership should contact Rick Mathews 716-400-8934
or email at: info@bmhof.org.
BUFFALO, NY, One M&T Plaza
- The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame announcement
naming the members of its Class of 2010
Music Scholarship Announcement
Attention All WNY High School
Applications for the Second
Annual Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Music Scholarship
are now available. Applications have
been sent to all Western New York schools,
public and private. Students can check with
their Guidance Office and/or Music teachers
to obtain a copy, or the application is also
available online at The Buffalo Music Hall
of Fame‘s web site.
Click Here for More Information and a PDF
Copy of the Application
The
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame announces a special
display of artifacts at the Buffalo Museum of
Science
BUFFALO, NY - The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
is pleased to announce that from now until January
31, 2010, the public will have the opportunity
to view over 50 artifacts on display in conjunction
with the Science Museum’s Good Vibrations Exhibit.
The Buffalo Museum of Science is located at
1020 Humboldt Parkway and admission is open
to the public during regular museum hours.
Some of the historic items on display include:
Stan Szelest’s (1986) Piano
and Organ arranged in a setting as if Stan
was going to sit down and play
Tom Calandra’s 1959 Fender
Precision Bass
Junction West (1998) Jump
Suit and Photos
Enlarged Photos of various
Members by Bob Mussell
Shakin Smith (1985) autographed
harmonica and photos
Big Wheelie (1985) leather
belt and photos
Goo Goo Dolls (1995) signed
guitar loaned by Steve Kantor
A Moog Corporation Mini-Moog
Synthesizer – owned and played by Van Taylor
(1998), designed by Robert Moog (2001),
and developed by Anthony Marchese (2008)
Autographed photos by Ani
DiFranco (1996), Brian McKnight (1998),
Lance Diamond (1992), Goo Goo Dolls (1995),
The Scintas (1999), and others
Musical Instruments of
historical value from Dave Elder (1991),
Tommy Z (2007), Doug Morgano (1996) , Joyryde
(2004), and others
The Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups
and individuals who have had a significant
impact on WNY music and/or have achieved success
in the music industry on a national or international
scale. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame annually
recognizes these outstanding Western New Yorkers
at its annual induction gala which will be
held October 7, 2010.
For more information on the
BMHOF visit http://www.buffalomusic.org. For
press information contact Rick Mathews, President
of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at 716-400-8934
or
rickmathews@bmhof.org.
The Board of Trustees of the
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is seeking new
members and those interested in sponsorship
opportunities, supporting membership or board
membership should contact Rick Mathews 716-400-8934
or email us at: info@bmhof.org.
Strategic Opportunity Stipends
(SOS), a project of the New York Foundation
for the Arts, working in collaboration with
arts councils and cultural organizations across
New York State, are designed to help individual
artists of all disciplines take advantage of
unique opportunities that will significantly
benefit their work or career development. Literary,
media, visual, music and performing artists
may request support ranging from $100 to $600
for specific, forthcoming opportunities that
are distinct from work in progress.
Please note: SOS is
only available to New York State artists EXCLUDING
residents of the five boroughs of New York
City.
2009-2010 Deadlines:
September 24, 2009; January 27, 2010; and
May 25, 2010
To apply Visit
www.nyfa.org/sos
THE
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE CLASS
OF 2009 TO BE HONORED AT ITS
26th ANNIVERSARY
INDUCTION GALA
BUFFALO, NY - Join the Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame at 7 PM on Thursday,
October 8, 2009 at the Tralf Music Hall located
at 622 Main Street in Buffalo's Downtown Theatre
District for a festive evening of live
music and entertainment. Fans and friends
are welcome to honor the 2009 Buffalo Music
Hall of Fame Inductees, many of whom will
perform. Local entertainer and radio
personality Rob Lederman will emcee
the event. Food and refreshments will
be available through the Tralf facilities. Tickets are
$20, at all Ticketmaster locations; charge
by phone 852-5000, or through the Tralf Box
office.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class
of 2009 includes the following:
THE
BUFFALO BILLS BARBERSHOP QUARTET - 1950
International Quartet Champions, and famed
quartet in the Broadway and film versions
of “The Music Man,”;
JACK
CIVILETTO - Long-time
WNY Blues guitarist/vocalist/band leader.
Winner of many local music awards and seen
around town performing as “Old Blue Eyes,”;
GLENN
COLTON - Highly regarded, popular children’s
entertainer and a veteran of over 300 live
shows in schools though out his 25 year career;
HIT
n RUN – “Buffalo’s
Premier Party Band” brings their high energy
and immense local following to the event;
McCARTHYIZM
- Alternative Rock Band will take its
place in the BMHOF upon earning numerous awards
for their original music and presentation;
moe.
- Formed in Buffalo in the early 90's
and since has become known as one of the hardest
working bands in the country. Over their last
19 years they have won several awards for
their live performance.
RAVEN
- Legendary 60’s band that established
the “Buffalo Sound” that became nationally
renowned includes Hall of Fame members Tony
Galla, Jim Calire, J R Weitz, Tommy Calandra,
and Gary Mallaber;
JERRY
RAVEN - Godfather of Buffalo’s Folk Music
scene and mentor to countless musicians that
include a number of previously inducted BMHOF
Members;
JOEY
REYNOLDS - “Mr. Nice Guy”, also inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Known
for his groundbreaking work in radio – in
Buffalo and nationally;
DR.
LONNIE SMITH – Master of the Hammond B-3.
After setting the standard internationally,
he returns to confront his humble roots on
Buffalo’s East Side and takes his place in
the BMHOF.
The
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in
1983 to recognize groups and individuals
who have had a significant impact on WNY music
and/or have achieved success in the music
industry on a national or international scale.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame annually recognizes
these outstanding Western New Yorkers at its
annual induction gala.
Bob Silvestri,
Chair of the Nominations Committee of the
BMHOF notes “This year’s class ranges from
performers who have become internationally
renowned to long-time mainstays of local music.”
Members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame from
previous induction classes will be in attendance
to honor and induct the Class of 2009.
Co-chairs of the event include
Patricia Kirisits and Richie Derwald.For
press information contact Rick Mathews,
President of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at
716-400-8934 or
rickmathews@buffalo.com. The Board
of Trustees of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is
seeking new members and those interested in
sponsorship opportunities, supporting membership
or board membership should contact Rick Mathews
716-400-8934 or email us at: info@bmhof.org.
BUFFALO
MUSIC HALL OF FAME HOSTS FREE CD RELEASE PARTY
AT HARD ROCK CAFÉ
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009,
at 8 p.m., at the Hard Rock Café –
Niagara Falls, USA (333 Prospect St., Niagara
Falls, NY – across from Niagara Falls State
Park). The evening features live performances
by Hall of Fame inductees The Headers, Gretchen
Schultz with the Morvells, Joyryde, and Terry
Sullivan. The all-ages event is free and open
to the public.
MINE
(Music Industry Networking Event), hosted
by The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and the
Buffalo Recording Collective, held their inaugural
event at the newly remodeled GCR Audio Studio
at 564 Franklin Street on August 5th, 2009.
The event was a way of starting a collaborative
conversation of the Western New York entertainment
and media communities. The relaxed event allowed
industry professionals and musicians a chance
to check out the new facilities and mingle
in a casual environment. The Franklin Street
facility hosts the Buffalo Recording Collective
made up of business associates GCR Audio www.gcraudio.com,
Xtream Audio
www.xtreamaudio.com, Jay Zubricky Productions
www.jayzubricky.com,
Good Charamel Records
www.goodcharamel.com and Bob Mussell Photography
www.bmusphoto.com.
The lower and upper floors of the building
have an impressive selection of Mussell's
concert and still photos lining the walls.
This one stop operative encompasses all aspects
of your recording needs. This event was sponsored
by Hard Rock Café-Niagara Falls, NY
www.hardrock.com/niagarafalls, Vetter
Vineyards
www.vettervineyards.com, North American
Breweries www.labattusa.com,
Chakra Communications www.chakracentral.com
and Sagemark Consulting
kevin.flint@LFG.com You can sign up for
future Mine events by going to www.gcraudio.com
and clicking on the Mine event button. Sign
up now to become a part of this exciting event.
BUFFALO
MUSIC HALL OF FAME AT THE HARD ROCK
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame took part in
the Hard Rock Café hosted Battle of the Bands
at the Niagara Falls Hard Rock location. Esteemed
judges of the competition included Robby Takac
from the Goo Goo Dolls, Anthony Casuccio,
vice president of the Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame, Hard Rock Café General Manager Dominic
Verni, and James Kurdziel, Program Director
for 103.3 The EDGE. Audience members were
also distributed ballots to vote for the "fan
favorite" who will be given the opportunity
to play at the Hard Rock Café in Pittsburgh,
PA.
The winner of the competition was Son of
the Sun who also won the fan favorite
vote. They will move on for a chance to play
live at the Hard Rock London with major label
artists.
Thank's
to everyone who attended!
April 26, 2009 Spotlight Series
Event
Theme: Let’s
get stimulated with Hot Guitars!
Lafayette Tap Room, 391 Washington
Street, Buffalo
Performances by:
Tommy Z
Dave Constantino
Willie Haddath
Doug Morgano
John Riggi
Special Guest Vocalists
With the Cruizin Deuces - Nick Veltri,
Jim Ehinger, Mike Phelps
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame (BMHF)
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded
in 1983 to recognize groups and individuals
who have had a significant impact on the WNY
music scene and/or achieved success in the
music industry on a national and often an
international scale. Inductees are chosen
from nominees which are rated in several different
categories. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
annually recognizes and inducts outstanding
Western New Yorkers who have made major contributions
to the music industry at their annual
induction gala. In addition to recognizing
outstanding local musicians, the BMHF also
sponsors an early childhood music appreciation
program in the Buffalo Public Schools and,
pending resource allocation, hopes to expand
that program in the near future.
After much success in producing the
annual Gala, the BMHF has implemented four
‘Spotlight Series’ concert events showcasing
the talent of Hall of Fame inductees.
The Spotlight Series Event on April 26, 2009
is entitled ‘Buffalo Hot Guitars.’ The
concert is free (although a donation to the
BMHF is suggested) to the general public and
food will be provided.
BUFFALO
MUSIC HALL OF FAME MEMBER TONY SCOZZARO RELEASES
TRIBUTE TO TIM RUSSERT
Tony
Scozzaro a member of the Buffalo Music Hall
of Fame has released a sizzling version of
the Bruce Springsteen classic "Born to
Run" as a tribute to the late Tim Russert.
You may recall that Scozzaro who was also
Russert's brother-in-law played the Springsteen
classic at the Kennedy Center in Washington,
DC at the Russert memorial.
Russert
had stated that "Born
to Run" was his favorite song. After
the memorial Scozzaro went back in the studio
and recorded the track with Springsteen's
blessing and has now made it available on
iTunes. Go to iTunes
to listen to a sample of the song and most
important to purchase the track. The track
is paired up with a stellar version of "Amazing
Grace" that Scozzaro has made available
as the B-side with "Born
to Run".
BENEFIT
"CONCERT FROM THE HEART"
March, 17, 2009, The American Federation of
Musicians Local 92 and The Buffalo Philharmonic
Orchestra, Conducted by Paul Ferrington, Present:
A Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Spotlight Concert:"Concert
From The Heart"
This is benefiting The Buffalo
City Mission and The Food Bank of Western
New York commencing on Tuesday, March 17,
2009 at Kleinhan's Music Hall, Buffalo, New
York USA.
A pre-concert mingle will
begin at 7pm with music by The Bar Room Buzzards
at the main stage at 8 pm, when doors open
and during intermission. Post-concert dance
will feature The Jim Tudini Big Band. Tickets
available at Kleinhan's Box Office 716-885-5000,
$25 open seating
This concert will feature
Inductees of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
performing on stage with The Buffalo Philharmonic
Orchestra. The Hall of Fame Performers are:
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Lance
Diamond, Van Taylor and his international
touring band Taylor Made Jazz, and The Historic
Colored Musicians Club, represented by the
George Scott Big Band, musical arranger Phil
Sims with special guests: The Old School B
Boys with Mark Mazur and his Little Big Band.
We are proud to announce
the organizations that this concert supports:
The Food Bank of Western
New York: The Food Bank needs help more
than ever due to these difficult economic
times. On a monthly basis, they provide food
to more than 90,000 people through over 400
local member agencies. We are encouraging
everyone to bring canned goods or dry products
to the concert as a donation. For further
information, you can call (716)852-1305 or
go to www.foodbankwny.org
Buffalo City Mission:
The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917,
is a not-for-profit organization providing
preventative, emergency and long-term recovery
services to thousands of people who are homeless
or impoverished. The Mission includes: Women
and Children's Shelter (Cornerstone Manor);
the Men's Community Center; the Mission Motors
Vehicle Donation Program; and two thrift store
locations to better serve our community.For
more information, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org.
Many people have found themselves in need
of clothing and shelter for the first time
in their lives. We are encouraging everyone
to bring gently used clothing or canned good
donations to the concert or our drop off site
at 100 East Tupper Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Proceeds also used to Fund
a Scholarship
* A scholarship donation
for a music student via contest. The selection
will be made via a contest hosted by New York
Talent - Music students must write an essay
- How does music enrich my community, my dream
in music is to be, and what can I do to make
a difference with my talent?? Please send
your essay to NY Talent 3053 Delaware Ave
Buffalo NY 14217, 716-877-6565, info@newyorktalent.org
* In keeping with helping
the student fulfill this dream, the check
will be made out in context to the winner's
essay. Example: studio recording time, music
books, music classes, school tuition.
Anyone who wants to support
or sponsor this event directly can make out
a check to:
Concert from the Heart c/o
of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 256 Buffalo NY 14205,
or call Rick Mathews 716- 400- 8934
The BMHF is a 501c3 not for
profit organization, your cancelled check
will serve as your receipt, for tax purposes
a letter will be provided upon request.
BUFFALO
MUSIC HALL OF FAME INTERVIEW ON ARTVOICE Video Credits: Matt
Quinn
On
Thursday Night the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
had their 25th Anniversary at the Tralf and
the party included live music and a host of
new inductees, including the entire Schultz
family. Artvoice's Matthew Quinn interviewed
Hall of Fame president Rick Matthews the day
before the big event.
HALL OF FAME
GALA IS ONE FOR THE AGES Anniversary eventhonors ties that link
family of musicians
By Dale Anderson NEWS STAFF
REPORTER
Family values and hometown
pride prevailed among the inductees at the
25th anniversary Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
Induction Gala Thursday evening in the Tralf.
Big rounds of applause arose
from the full-house crowd when Lockport native
Jimmy Sacca of the hit ’50s group the Hilltoppers
spoke of his love for his wife of 55 years
and when Jeff Whiting introduced his father-
in-law, Tony Marchese, who developed and refined
the Moog synthesizer when it was manufactured
on Walden Avenue in Cheektowaga in the 1970s.
Admiration greeted songwriter and producer
Bob James when he was joined on stage by his
daughter, Emmy, for a song after he was introduced
by Robbie Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls, who
thanked James for providing the group a place
to practice in the early days when they were
kicked out of all their other rehearsal spaces.........Click
Here for Full Article
THE
BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME 25TH ANNIVERSARY
INDUCTION GALA
The Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame celebrated 25 years of honoring the music
and performers of Buffalo and Western New
York at its 25th Anniversary Induction Gala
at the Tralf Music Hall.
The Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups
and individuals who have had a significant
impact on the WNY music scene and/or achieved
success in the music industry on a national
and often an international scale. The Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame annually recognizes and
inducts outstanding Western New Yorkers who
have made major contributions to the music
industry at their annual induction gala. Members
of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame from previous
classes were in attendance to honor the Class
of 2008 and in some cases to induct the new
members.
The Buffalo Music
Hall of Fame Class of 2008:
Ed Bentley: Rockabilly
music performer, Inductee/National Rockabilly
Hall of Fame.
Bob James: Songwriter
guitarist/singer, local music producer and
educator.
Richard Kermode:
1970's keyboardist for Janis Joplin (posthumous
award).
Jerry Livingston: National
Recording Artist with: Miki Howard Atlantic
records, Stephanie Mills – MCA Records,
Liberty Silvers RCA Records/BMG and Billy
Phillips/MCA Records and he recorded (5)
albums 2 of them Gold with Rick James on
Motown Records. Jerry is also a local Jazz
Bassist.
Tom Reinhardt: Local
rock and blues bassist.
Joe Rozler: Internationally
sought after keyboardist.
Schulz Family: Generations
of great musicians represented in one of
Buffalo's premier musical families.
Joanie Sommers:
1960's radio star & "Pepsi Girl."
LIFETIME
ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEE:
Jimmy Sacca: Lead Singer
of the world famous Hilltoppers – national
vocal group from the 1950's and 1960's.
NON-PERFORMING
INDUCTEES:
Mack Luchey: Buffalo music
store owner and promoter of Buffalo music.
Anthony Marchese: Synthesizer
pioneer.
Richard Sargent: Local
record producer.
Performances by: Van
Taylor, Joe Rozler & Bob James, Gretchen
Schulz, Dave Schulz & Robert Schulz, Jerry
Livingston with Dave, Gretchen and Robert,
Ed Bentley, and The Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame band - Willie & The Reinhardts.
BUFFALO
MUSIC HALL OF FAME ON "ALL THAT MATTERS"
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
President Rick Matthews and Board Member Bob
Silvestri appeared with Pete Anderson in the
Time Warner Studio on "All That Matters",
promoting The 2008 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
Induction Gala. "All That Matters"
airs live Mondays and Wednesdays at 3:00PM
and replays Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00PM
on Time Warner Cable Ch 13.
NATIVE BUFFALONIAN
AND BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME MEMEBER PHIL
DILLON WILL BE IN TOWN FOR THE HALL OF FAME
INDUCTION CEREMONY ON OCTOBER 9th AT "THE
TRALF" TO INDUCT KEYBOARD LEGEND RICHARD
KERMODE
While
in Buffalo, Phil will be performing at the “Sportsmen’s”
on Tuesday October 7th at 8:00 pm with fellow
Hall of Fame member Doug Yeomans. The
two will play a 2 set show featuring many of
Phil’s songs that have been cut by major artists
over the years as well as Yeoman’s versatile
and distinct originals.
On Friday, October 10th, they will be doing
a “Writers In The Round” at the Scotch &
Sirloin with Willie Schoellkopf and Bob Campbell.
They’ll get started at 9:30 pm.
Yeomans is an Award Winning guitarist named
“North American Rock Guitar Champion“ in 2001
along with several Buffalo Music Award nods
as Best Guitarist over the last 10 years. He
was also the guitarist in the great Stan Szelest’s
band “Stan & The Ravens”.
He has worked in several theatre productions
of shows like “It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues”
on Broadway, “Always…Patsy Cline” at Artpark,
and most recently as lead guitarist in the National
Tour of “Ring of Fire”.
Phil is best known for his work with bands like
“Flash” with Jim Ralston and Larry Swist; “Dillon
& Brady which was a duo with John Brady,
the Doo-Wop group “The Shoo-Bops” with Willie
Schoellkopf and Sheila Carlson, as well as stints
with Lance Diamond and Junction West. He
was also the singer on many Jingles like “Mighty
Taco”(Copa Cabana), “AM&A’s”, “Topps”(Never
Stops), “Mr. Oil Change” and “Island Pools”.
Dillon has been living and working in Nashville
since 1994. His songs have been recorded by
T. Graham Brown, Lee Roy Parnell, Jimmy Nalls,
Lisa Brokop and many others.
He has produced albums on T. Graham Brown, Jimmy
Nalls, Doug Yeomans, Willie Haddath and has
worked with such greats as Gary Mallaber, Harvey
Brooks, Chuck Leavell, Wayne Jackson, Bob Babbitt,
Bob Moore, Boots Randolph, and many, many more.
A member of T. Graham Brown’s band since 2003
he has played such venues as “The Grand Ole
Opry”, “The Bluebird Café”, “The Wildhorse Saloon”
and “The CMA Music Festival” (aka “Fan Fair”.)
In 2007 his song “Ain’t No Stranger To The Blues”
was placed in the movie “L.A. Blues” starring
Anthony Michael Hall and Dave Foley.
LEONARD
PENNARIO, ACCLAIMED PIANO VIRTUOSO WAS BORN
IN BUFFALO : OBITUARIES : THE BUFFALO NEWS
July
9, 1924 - June 27, 2008
Leonard Pennario, who transcended his humble
roots on Buffalo's West Side to become one
of the great piano virtuosi of the 20th century,
died Friday in his home in La Jolla, Calif.
Mr. Pennario, who had been battling Parkinson's
disease, was 83.
Born in Buffalo, Mr. Pennario attended Holy
Angels School. Though he moved with his family
to Los Angeles when he was 10, he was proud
of his ties to this city. He made his last
visit here in October, when he was inducted
into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Mr. Pennario
gloried in the award, exhibiting it in his
home on a shelf above the Grammy that he won
with violinist Jascha Heifetz and cellist
Gregor Piatigorsky.
BENEFIT
THE BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND THE HISTORIC
COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB
On
Saturday, June 14, 2008, three Buffalo
based bands invite you to spend an evening at
the Tralf located
in Buffalo's Theatre District downtown at
622 Main Street Buffalo NY 14202 (716) 852-2860
to
benefit the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and
the Historic Colored Musicians Club.
McCarthyizm
(Best Original Rock Band Buffalo 2006
- 07), Scott
Celani (national touring/recording
artist/star of "Discs", TV
pilot filmed in Buffalo 2007) and Lenny
Revell (played Nationwide theatres Spiderman
III release 2007) are donating proceeds
from this concert to give back to the
organizations that archive and promote music
and media in all genres in Western New York
and beyond.
Presented by Think
Twice Radio: http://www.thinktwiceradio.com/
the mission of this event is to showcase all
musicians joined with both organizations to
preserve the historical organizations
that recognize music and media in Western
New York.
The
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was
founded in 1983 and recognizes groups and
individuals who have made a significant
impact on the Western New York music industry. View
the current inductees and learn more about
the organization by visiting:
http://www.buffalomusic.org/
The
Historic Colored Musicians Club
was established in 1917 and officially chartered
on July 31, 1935. During the 1930's
and 40's, musicians such as:
Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Count Basie,
Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald checked
in with the Colored Musicians Club while
traveling. The Club promotes historical
research and the preservation of Jazz in
Buffalo. The newly designed website is: http://www.coloredmusiciansclub.org/
Tickets
can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations
or charge by phone: 716- 825-5000
and online: http://www.tralfmusichall.com/,
also by visiting the box office at the Tralf.
Doors open at 6:30 pm/7:30 pm sh ow, 21
+ $10 pre sale and $15 the day of
the show at the Tralf.
Help Western
New York keep music and media alive by
supporting Musicians Giving to Music.
TAYLOR
MADE JAZZ 21st ANNIVERSARY PARTY
On April
25, 2008, Taylor Made Jazz an international
award winning group will perform at the Tralf
Music Hall to celebrate their 21rst anniversary.
This group is known for their service to our
troops overseas, their community support of
charities and their workshops to support music
in the schools. Many of the members that performed
through the years will return for the performance
that night. We are pleased to announce
that the proceeds from ticket sales for this
concert will benefit 2 organizations.
We often
hear in the news about the problems with children
in the schools and on the streets, we do not
hear enough about the organizations trying
to do something about it by providing alternative
methods to confront the issues head on.
N.I.C.Y.O.
National Inner Cities Youth Opportunities
serves Erie County with a special focus on
the City of Buffalo. The main mission
of this 501-c -3 not-for-profit agency is
to reduce the Minority High School Drop-out
Rate. Their Objective is to address
youth delinquency, by providing alternative
to violence and an alternative to incarceration
programming. NICYO’S target population is
school age youth between the ages of 4 – 21
for whom they provide After School Homework
help, School and Court Intervention and Counseling
just to name a few programs along with safe
structured Recreational Programs such as their
Inner City Little League Baseball, Summer
Basketball League,
Girls Sports
Foundation Basketball, General Bass Instructional
Tennis Program, Instructional Judo and Crusaders
Marching Units. This organization has
suffered from far too many funding cuts and
the community is in great need of their services.
We thank you in advance for your support and
commitment to our youth and look forward to
your sponsorship and much needed partnership
to assist this wonderful organization.
S.A.V.E.
Students Against Violence Education. This
organization started in 1994 by Connie Cavanaugh.
Their mission is to educate all students about
making safe healthy and positive life choices.
They provide the workshops to help youth learn
about conflict resolution to prepare them
for the world around them. For example
bullying has become a common problem in school
and this can impact a person for the rest
of their life. Our programs are geared
to educate today’s youth about bullying, violence,
learning how and where to get help, drugs/alcohol,
peer pressure, decision making and consequence.
In short when we see shooting in schools on
college campuses let this remind us of our
responsibility to protect us all by addressing
the issues ahead of time. This organization
has also suffered too many budget cuts.
We
are asking you to join us at our 21st anniversary
celebration and support these 2 important
organizations. Both organizations are 501c3.
You can help change a life which can help
save a life. We hope you will share
this with your co workers.
Sincerely,
Van Taylor
NELSON STARR
IN BUFFALO
Buffalo rock luminary, Nelson Starr, does his
own take-off on Tony Bourdain's "No Reservations".
This well produced segment features Nelson pigging
out at Ted's, Anchor Bar, and Ulrich's, among
others. Also features Nelson's original music
and the award-winning film work of John Paget.
Coming soon: a segment featuring Nelson inhaling
grilled bologna and strip steak sandwiches at
the Old Pink!!!!
BUFFALO MUSIC
HALL OF FAME ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS THROUGH APRIL
1st
(BUFFALO, NY) The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
encourages local musicians, people from throughout
the
Western New York music community and supporters
of qualified musicians to submit nominations
for the 2008 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Induction
Class. Nominations will be accepted no later
than April 1. Interested parties should download
an official nomination form at www.buffalomusic.org,
complete the
form and submit it to The Buffalo Music Hall
of Fame at: Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, P.O.
Box 655, Buffalo, NY 14207. For questions regarding
the nomination process, please contact the Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame at 716-400-8934 or email
info@bmhof.org.
BUFFALO
MUSIC AWARD PRESENTED TO U-CREST MUSIC
Rick Matthews presented
U-Crest Music's 2007 Buffalo Music Award to
Walter Piegon. Walter and his wife Patricia
were unable to attend this years event. Congratulations
to U-Crest Music.
BUFFALONIAN
INVOLVED IN TWO GRAMMY NOMINATED ALBUMS
When this year’s Grammy nominations
were announced, Buffalo’s Anthony Casuccio
was very pleased. Two albums that he was involved
in the production of were nominated: Louisiana
- A Pianist’s Journey, Kenneth Boulton (Cambria
Master Recordings) was nominated for Best
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without
Orchestra), and 30 Songs of the Russian People,
Joseph Banowetz and Alton Chung Ming Chan
(Toccata Classics) was nominated for Best
Chamber Music. Casuccio mastered both of these
albums, which were produced by the famed team
of Victor and Marina Ledin, and with whom
Casuccio has done many projects; “mastering”
is the final stage of the recording process,
where the final polish is added.
Born and raised in Buffalo,
Casuccio has held a number of high- profile
positions in the music industry and has been
widely sought after for his highly-trained
technical ear during his 15 years in the industry.
After graduating from Fredonia
State University in 1991, he was recruited
by Reader’s Digest, in partnership with BMG,
to join their record label in New York City
as a producer. During his 9 years there, he
worked with several major record labels, remixing
and remastering over 400 albums of world-renowned
artists such as Tony Bennett, Roy Orbison,
Linda Ronstandt, Glenn Miller, and Johnny
Cash.
He then joined the Sony Music
Company in San Francisco, California to lead
its audio production department. For the next
2 years, he engineered and produced live music
mixes for Sony’s Music Backstage show, which
featured major artists such as Lifehouse,
Kasey Chambers, and Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista
Social Club). Also, while in San Francisco,
he sat on the Board of Governors for the San
Francisco chapter of the Recording Academy,
being elected to the office of 2nd Vice President.
Returning to Buffalo in 2004,
Casuccio founded Xtream Audio Mastering; among
his clients is fellow Buffalonian Robby Takac’s
(Goo Goo Dolls) Good Charamel Records label.
He teaches Recording Technology at Villa Maria
College, as well as being a frequent guest
speaker for Takac’s nonprofit Music In Action
organization. Locally, he currently serves
as Vice President of the Buffalo Music Hall
Of Fame, and nationally, he has remained very
active within the Grammy organization.
Casuccio’s work has been
featured in Mix Magazine, Billboard Magazine,
The New York Times, Gramophone, and International
Piano. He mastered the 2005 Grammy-nominated
Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (without
Orchestra) Night Breeze, Sarah Schuster Ericsson
(Cambria Master Recordings), as well as To
Call My Own, Barton (Netsphere), the artist’s
3rd Top 40 hit and a featured break-out single
in the Billboard Dance Charts, breaking into
the top 20.
The Grammy Awards Ceremony
will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2008.
FRANK
BRUNSON, SINGER, IN BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF
FAME From the Buffalo
News
March
19, 1929 — Nov. 24, 2007
Frank
Brunson of Buffalo, a Top 40 hit maker with
one of the most dynamic voices to come out
of Buffalo, died Saturday in Veterans Affairs
Medical Center after a long illness. He was
78.
Mr.
Brunson, inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall
of Fame in 2002, made the Billboard charts
10 times during the 1970s and into 1980 with
his band People’s Choice. The band specialized
in a brand of funk that was huge in the discos,
and its biggest hit was “Do It Any Way You
Wanna,” which went to No. 11 on the Billboard
pop singles chart and No. 1 on the R&B
charts. It was a gold record.
But
Mr. Brunson’s legacy went way beyond the hits.
He started his career as a pop and R&B
singer in the 1950s, cutting singles on Gee
Records.
Bob
Skurzewski, who is nearing completion of a
book on the early years of Buffalo rock ’n’
roll, interviewed Brunson several times and
became a close friend. He said Mr. Brunson
told him that he walked away from the Gee
deal because Gee was distributed by RCA and
RCA was putting too much energy into pushing
another new performer — Elvis Presley.
Mr.
Brunson also was a good friend of the legendary
Jackie Wilson. Wilson, Mr. Brunson related,
had him open a show, and when he walked off
into the wings to huge audience reaction,
Wilson asked him what he was doing.
Mr.
Brunson told Wilson that he was finished with
his set.
“They
don’t think you’re done,” said Wilson, sending
him back onto the stage.
“Frank was always amazed that a star like
Jackie Wilson would do that for him,” said
Skurzewski. “Frank was talented . . . that
little guy, that big voice.”
The
stature gave him the nickname “Little Frankie
Brunson” early in his career. The voice earned
him the name “Big Daddy” when he recorded
for Wilson’s label — a deal he walked away
from after he released “Big Daddy’s Blues”
and all of the songs he wrote had other people’s
credits on them.
Mr.
Brunson was born in Buffalo, the son of the
Rev. John A. and Sarah Brunson. He began singing
at his father’s churches in Dunkirk and Silver
Springs.
After
he developed heart problems in the mid-1980s,
he returned to Buffalo in 1990 and wound up
back in church, becoming the family man he
hadn’t been able to be while on the road.
For most of the 1990s, he was the rock that
anchored most of the music groups at St. John
Baptist, one of the city’s largest churches.
“It
seemed to make the service; the whole service
culminated at his solo,” said Gregory Treadwell,
who was music coordinator for the groups Mr.
Brunson worked with — the Radio Choir, Men’s
Choir, United Mass Choir, St. John United
Voices Choir and Frank Brunson & the Hitmen.
The
latter group was formed specifically to perform
with Mr. Brunson in the Tralf. He continued
singing even after he had to use a wheelchair
after suffering a stroke in 2002, Treadwell
said. “He couldn’t sing as long as he wanted
to, but it was a joy just to hear him sing,”
said Treadwell. “Just seeing his face could
cheer people up.”
In
addition to performing, Mr. Brunson also worked
with two programs affiliated with St. John
Baptist — Project Gift, a program for special
education students, and Project Promise —
and helped form a youth choir. He took the
students to perform at hospitals and for shut-ins,
Treadwell said. The choir is still going today.
Mr.
Brunson was a Navy veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife of 15 years, the
former Shirley Seals; three sons, Mark Brunson,
Eddie J. Champion and Nathan D. Hemphilll;
and four daughters, Marian Hailstock, Diane
Girtman, Monique Williams and Sherida Alston.
A
funeral will be held at noon Thursday in St.
John Baptist, 184 Goodell St.
Major
Bruce A. Henderson presents flowers to his
wife, Dawn, left, and mother, Jane, during
an emotional farewell ceremony Saturday, when
he relinquished command of the GordonHighlanders after 20 years at the helm.
John Rexinger III assumed command of the pipe
band and color guard, a mainstay of many local
parades and celebrations, during a brief ceremony
in the West Side Rowing Club.
THE BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME PROUDLY PRESENTS
THE RELEASE OF THEIR CD ENTITLES "VOLUME
1."
This
is the first disc in a series aimed at showcasing
the talented members inducted into the Buffalo
Music Hall of Fame. Western New York has a
diverse, rich musical history and this series
was created to pay tribute to some of the
artists inducted into the Hall of Fame who
represent the amazing musical talent found
in this area.
The album is a musical journey
featuring 12 great artists who have made an
impact on Western New York's music history.
Artists include Lance Diamond, Soul Invaders,
Castellini & Andriucci, Tony Galla, Hernandez,
Morgano/Veltri R&B Soul Revue, The Road,
Shyboy, Stone Country Band, Weekend and Wendell
Rivera.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE 2007 BUFFALO MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
This
year's honorees included
internationally renowned pianist, Leonard
Pennario; Broadway producer, Elizabeth Swados;
world renowned keyboardist, Jim Ehinger; performer/writer/producer,
Robert Kinkel; blues musician, Jim Wozniak;
blues guitarist and singer, Tommy Z; musical
stylist, Andy Kuhlberg; and guitarist, Frank
Grizanti. U-Crest Music was the recipient
in the Non-Performer category.
Congratulations to Eric
Jelstrom of Lakeview, New York. He was
the winner of the Buffalo Music Hall of
Fame Guitar Giveaway at this years Music
Is Art Festival at the Erie County Fair
on August 11 2007. The Ibanez guitar Jam Pack
was donated by the Guitar
Centerof WNY on Niagara Falls Blvd.
It included an Ibenez AEG5EBK Guitar, AC A15
amp, guitar tuner and gig bag.
REMEMBERING
MARK FREELAND - (May 1, 1957-June 14, 2007)
It is with great sadness
that The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame announces
the passing of one of our most beloved members
Mark Freeland. Mark passed away in his sleep
after a lengthy battle with cancer on Thursday
June 14, 2007. He was 50. Always on the cutting
edge of the local music scene Freeland left
his mark with such seminal Buffalo bands as
Electroman, Pegasus and The Fems and as a
solo artist. He was also well known for his
photography, performance art as well as a
distinguished artist. He has been an unsurpassed
influence on the local music and art scenes
for years and will continue on thru his legacy.
He is survived by numerous relatives and friends.
A true pioneer, Mark will be sorely missed.