A night of country music at Artpark amphitheater, Orville Peck, accompanied by the Goldie Boutilier and The War And Treaty, graced the stage on July 1. Where everyone felt like an outlaw cowboy for the night.
Orville Peck
Goldie Boutilier, a Canadian singer-songwriter, started the evening as one of the two opening acts for the night. Goldie has a unique sound blends country and a hint of Americana with alternative music. Although this may not seem like a good combination, Goldie can pull it off and stand out from the rest of the genre. She sang all her hits on her set, from Body Heat and The Actress to her most famous song, Cowboy Gangster Politician. From the moment she took the stage, She had the crowd on her side.
Goldie Boutilier
The second opener of the night was The War And Treaty, a husband-and-wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount. Michael and Tanya were so much fun to watch perform. Seeing them be silly with each other while performing was refreshing and cute. The duo brought so much soul into their set that you felt every lyric they sang. They performed Hey Driver, a Zach Bryan song that they are featured on. After these amazing openers, the crowd was ready for the main act.
Orville Peck took the stage as the sun set, bringing a contagious energy from when he appeared. He had a fantastic stage presence and kept the crowd entertained from start to finish. One thing that stood out was his gesture of giving roses to people in the crowd who caught his attention, whether it was for their outfits or for singing and dancing during the set. It was a friendly reminder that he was genuinely engaged with the crowd and noticed everything.
The War And Treaty, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount
Peck performed songs from his previous albums, Pony and Bronco, as well as his latest album Stampede. A highlight of his performance was covering “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other,” a song he had previously recorded with Willie Nelson.
By the end of the night, I truly felt like an outlaw cowboy with the amount of country music I’d listened to. I’m not a huge country fan, but truthfully, by the end of the night, all three of these artists may have turned a new leaf for me. I’m starting to like country music just a little bit more than before.
Orville Peck setlist: Big Sky, Turn to Hate, Roses Are Falling, The Hurtinâ Kind, Câmon Baby, Cry, No Glory in the West, Hexie Mountains, How Far Will We Take It?, Conquer the Heart, Drive Me, Crazy, Blush, The Curse of the Blackened Eye, Lafayette, Any Turn, Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other (Willie Nelson cover), Outta Time, Kalahari Down, Dead of Night, Daytona Sand Encore: Bronco
Dispatch performed on a cloudy summer evening at Artpark on Friday, June 28. Thousands gathered at the outdoor venue, located on the edge of the Niagara Gorge to see Dispatch, a band that performs a mixture of indie, reggae, rock and folk. Stolen Gin opened the show.
Stolen Gin has been around for 5 years and they are known for indie, pop, funk and rock, said the drummer, Josh. This is their first show touring with Dispatch in 2024. Stolen Gin gave the crowd a unique taste of their music throughout the show and set the stage for the Dispatch.
As the sun went down, Dispatch took the stage as the gentle breeze carried into the crowd. They seamlessly transitioned between genres, and the band members swapped instruments throughout their set. The memorable moment was when Brad Corrigan wrote a song about the moon on the stage after he saw the street light and thought that it was a full moon. The lyrics went “I see three moons, maybe four. There are more coming for more, we eat berries in the woods”. He said I will keep working on that song until we all sing together. Fans were singing along and dancing along as they played their iconic songs “The General”, “Bang Bang”, “Only The Wild Ones” and “Bond By Love”. Dispatch ended the show with a Birthday song for the band member Matt Embree who play guitar and bass.
Dispatch will continue their US tour throughout 2024. They will come back to the gorgeous vanue Artpark to singalong with their audience in near future.
Westside Gunn keeps making wrestling cool again. The FlyGod made an appearance on All Elite Wrestling Collision at Buffalo’s KeyBank Center. The episode — taped on Wednesday but aired this past Saturday night — saw WSG come out in support of Swerve Strickland, iced out and decked in a print of the AEW world champion’s bloody face from his wrestling inspired Fourth Rope brand. The Buffalo native served as part of Strickland’s corner during his weigh-in with Will Ospreay ahead of their heavyweight title bout at AEW Forbidden Door on Monday night at UBS Arena.
Westside Gunn came out to a big pop on AEW Collision. Photo: X/@wwerealone
However, despite coming out to a big pop from the hometown crowd, it wasn’t a happy ending for FlyGod and crew as their pal Swerve Strickland was laid-out by Will Ospreay in a “scuffle” that saw Westside and friends quickly escorted from the ring stage.
AEW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Swerve Shows up like a boss. The feeling swerve gives off is wild he really is one of the best champs i ever seen.
— Forbidden Door PodCast (@ForbiddenDoor_) June 30, 2024
A longtime wrestling fan — with countless song tittles named in ode to his favorites — Westside Gunn remains a familiar presence in AEW universe making appearances at several live shows and ppv’s. The cultural curator has gone on to create his own wrestling inspired brand– Fourth Rope. Despite his success outside of the booth fans remain vigilant on new Westside Gunn music with his last project being October, 2023’s And Then You Pray For Me.
Buffalo’s arts and culture organization will host the 8th Annual Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration on Sunday, August 25. The event, presented by Bully Hill Vineyards, will take place at Buffalo Central Terminal.
Gates open at 1:30 PM and the event kicks off at 2 PM with diverse performances, exhibitions, and events catered to all ages. Attendees can indulge in offerings like art installations, photography exhibits, food trucks, vendors, kid’s attractions, and additional unique experiences.
Featured Performances
Soft-rock band, Infinity Song is set to take the Beau Fleuve stage. The band, made up of siblings Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd, will bring their energetic presence and skillful harmonies to Buffalo. The New York City band, who’s currently on their World Tour represents the importance of honoring local music and the creatives behind the art. Infinity Song brings a wonderful, entertaining show that’s not to be missed.
Also bringing their soulful sounds to Buffalo, are Country singer-songwriter Elsie and Grammy-winning R&B singer Kameron Corvet. Additionally, melodic Latin singer La Cassandra and Canadian Jazz and R&B musician Seyblu will bring their respective cultural performances to the celebration.
Other performances include acts from Tiny the Dream, Stephen Babcock, The Miserable Genius, Neftali, and 14 Mafia.
Specialty Performances
Meanwhile, the Music & Arts Celebration attendees will also have special performances available to watch. DOSYO: WEH featuring DJ Ran$um, 438 Music Group, and Haundensee Dancers will put on an incredibly noteworthy show, representing indigenous land and Seneca Nations.
The Music & Arts Celebration will add an especially unique flare with their curated experiences. These events include Happy Hour from 2-3 PM comprised of the new Family Fun Zone with exciting activities for kids, as well as Live DJ and Podcast Sets, and drink specials.
Attendees can also utilize the Pull Up & Pitch event presented by The Exchange at Beverly Gray. Those with business ideas or in need of seed money for their venture can pitch their ideas for the opportunity to win a Capital Seed Investment, Incubator Space, and Mentorship.
Arts
Art installations include “The New Era Cap Tent” featuring Patti Thomas/The Ghost Room, Emeka Wajed/MadebyMek, and Tyshaun Tyson/Left Handed Bandit. The artists will present their cap patches while interacting with viewers. Likewise, Mandella Huff, Nekea Brown, and Vinny Alejandro will participate in emerging artist installations with their interactive and skillfully designed sets.
Angela Guest will present a large-scale fabric piece in the “We Are All Made Up of Stars” installation.
The Beau Fleuve Music & Arts Celebration is also hosting exhibiting artists including Neese Rich, Bree Gilliam, Cargo Santana, Paulie The Artist, XXXI, Jessica Mjoen, Marquise Rowell, Darmelle, DJHA, and KIDWITTHEWINGS.
Local businesses, food, games, and hospitality can be found at Vendors Village.
General Admission Adult (18+) Single Tickets are $20, Herd (Buy 3, Get One Free)- $60. Youth (17 under) – $10, Kids under 5 are Free. To purchase tickets visit beaufleuvemusicarts.com
It takes hours of tireless work to become an overnight success. Word to the wise: it takes 10 years for anyone to truly begin to see results. Nobody exemplifies this more than Buffalo’s first poet laureate, Jillian Hanesworth. Recently, she won an Emmy for her poetic efforts in conjunction with the Buffalo Bills.
Augustus Clarke and Jillian Hanesworth pose with their 2024 Sports Emmy received at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City [Marc Bryan-Brown Photography]
Before she began working with the Bills, Hanesworth poured in countless hours to conquer the struggle and pursue her truth. Born and raised in Buffalo – Hanesworth grew up within an artistic community where all walks of life embodied their roles to preserve art for generations to come.
The way that Hanesworth approaches art provides a refreshingly humble perspective. In the grand scheme of things, she views herself as a voice not the voice. Her voice is important, insofar, as it amplifies the voices of those around her, as well.
“You don’t have to be a known artist to be an artist.”
-Jillian Hanesworth
Perhaps, this humility and sacrifice toward her craft is the reason why more people are starting to hear about this phenomenal woman. Her firm dedication to uplifting those in need of knowledge without feeling any sense of entitlement strikes the perfect balance for this creative artist.
Purpose Plus Passion
Hanesworth’s multilayered approach to art, activism and advocacy make her an incredible social change agent. She reimagines justice with poetry and timely demonstrations – she does not wear a crown or sit on a high horse – she sees these actions as the service she owes to her community.
Hanesworth proves that the art of traditional storytelling is so important. Hanesworth shares her story so well as an artist. Buffalo’s first poet laureate and a familiar face for those suffering from Buffalo tragedies – Hanesworth set out to make a difference in her community.
As the founder of Literary Freedom she hosted pop-up bookstores in conjunction with her Buffalo Books program. Initially, she set out on a mission in Buffalo to increase the literacy rate for young scholars within her community.
She put a plan in place and aimed to raise $10K to reinvigorate 10 libraries. Shortly after she launched a GoFundMe, KeyBank in Buffalo met her fundraising goal to revamp selected libraries in Buffalo by putting local artwork on the walls and local authors on the shelves.
Grind Don’t Stop
As she put her nose to the grindstone and continued to do the Lord’s work – people began to notice her efforts. Shortly after the racially motivated shooting at Tops in Buffalo, the Bills asked Hanesworth if she could create something to help the people heal.
As life goes on, Hanesworth continues to find herself in situations to infuse lasting change. Those who set out to achieve something greater than themselves will ultimately find reward. From the jump, this woman set her sights on community literacy improvement and from there she has worked with several notable organizations who have given her a vehicle to move her message.
Hanesworth stepped into the artistic space with the right mentality and made moves according to her mission. Once people start to gravitate toward your art, it is not just about you anymore. Once your art and story arc take on a life of its own, you must ensure that you continue to double down on the reasons why you started.
This fall, guitar icon Yngwie Malmsteen will kick off his 40th Anniversary Tour, taking him nationwide, with four shows in New York.
His first trip brings him to Plattsburgh at the Strand Centre on October 4th, followed by Colony Woodstock in Woodstock on the 10th. Two days later, Malmsteen will visit Buffalo’s Electric City Music Hall, with the tour concluding on November 18 at New York Cityâs Gramercy Theater.
Originally from Sweden, Yngwie Malmsteen was born into a musical family full of opera singers and classical musicians. By the age of 10, he had formed his first rock band with his childhood friend. Eventually, he began experimenting with different genres, musical styles, and techniques. Growing up, he was inspired by the unique playing styles of classical composers like Niccolo Paganini and Antonio Vivaldi, as well as the bluesy ones of Deep Purple founder and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Throughout his teen years, he combined the two genres and founded what is known as Neo-Classical Hard Rock.
In 1982, Yngwie Malmsteen came to the United States to kickstart his career. He appeared on multiple albums and performed in the hard rock band Alcatrazz. In 1984, he earned a solo deal and released his debut solo album. Rising Force. Since then, he has recorded over 22 studio albums and earned himself a reputation as one of the greatest electric guitarists of all time.
“I’m very excited to play this tour with all you guys and commemorate the launch of my solo career. It’s been an amazing journey and it still feels like it’s only beginning. I couldn’t have done it without all of you and your support throughout all these years. Looking forward to creating some magic with all of you! More is more!”
Yngwie Malmsteen
The full tour dates are listed below. For more information and tickets, fans can visit here.
Yngwie Malmsteen on Tour:
Sep. 26 – Fort Myers, FL – The Ranch Concert Hall Sep. 27 – Clearwater, FL – Capital Theater Sep. 28 – Mt Dora, FL – Mt Dora Music Hall Sep. 29 – Tallahassee, FL – The Moon Oct. 02 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater Oct. 04 – Plattsburgh, NY – Strand Center Oct. 05 – Pawtucket, RI – The Met Oct. 06 – New Haven, CT – Toads Place Oct. 07 – Boston, MA – The Wilbur Oct. 09 – York, PA – Double Barrel Roadhouse Oct. 10 – Woodstock, NY – Colony Woodstock Oct. 11 – Millville, NJ – Levoy Theater Oct. 12 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City Music Hall Oct. 13 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theater Oct. 16 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater Oct. 18 – Tacoma, WA – Temple Theater Oct. 19 – Dalles, OR – Granada Theater Oct. 20 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater Oct. 22 – Roseville, CA – Goldfields Oct. 24 – Los Angeles, CA – Saban Theater Oct. 25 – Anaheim, CA – Grove Oct. 26 – Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Club Oct. 27 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues Oct. 30 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom Nov. 01 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater Nov. 02 – San Antonio, TX – Vibes Event Center Nov. 03 – Austin, TX – Come & Take It Live Nov. 04 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Nov. 05 – Dallas, TX – Trees Nov. 07 – Covington, KY – Madison Theater Nov. 08 – Lorain, OH – Lorain Place Nov. 09 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs Nov. 10 – Leesburg, VA – Tallyho Theater Nov. 14 – Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center Nov. 15 – Oakmont, PA – Oaks Theater Nov. 16 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theater Nov. 18 – New York City, NY – Gramercy
On Friday, June 21, Buffalo-based alt-folk artist Evan Anstey released his latest EP, Alternates II. As the second installment of Anstey’s “Alternates” series, this EP explores a wide range of genres and musical styles. With Alternates II, audiences can expect an awesome mix of hard rock, techno, and of course, a bit of bluegrass.
Debuting in 2016 with his EP Recent Time, Evan Anstey has played a role in the Western New York music scene. Born and raised in the area, Anstey began playing music at the age of 8. As he grew older, he began writing and performing his own music, both as a solo and group artist. Anstey co-founded, played guitar, and sang with rock bands Arrowdrive and The Moon Hunters. Since he was 17, Evan has served as a vocalist, guitarist, and occasional bassist in the indie-prog outfit Meat Raffle.
Evan Anstey’s alt-folk sound draws inspiration ranging from classic artists like Flatt & Scruggs to the progressive bluegrass of Nickel Creek and modern folk stylings of Aoife O’Donovan, John Paul White and Declan O’Rourke. His last EP, Alternates I, stayed true to his inspirations in folk and indie music. The instrumentation of the EP was mostly acoustic. However, its sequel is quite different.
For years, Evan Anstey gained traction as a folk artist. But with this EP, Anstey explored elements of other genres like hard rock and techno. The blend of these genres may come as a surprise to some, but the experimentation had been expertly handled. Like his last album, however, each track was a creative retelling of past songs he had performed live or co-wrote with his other groups. Anstey had the help of guest musicians to fully compose his vision.
Anstey played various instruments on Alternates II, including guitar, violin, bass, mandolin, keyboards, and ukulele. Guests artists Darryl Tonemah, LP Tonemah, Kris Brayley, Ernest “E.C.” Palmer, Alex Feig, and James Robert Kibby all feature on the six-track EP, each providing their own instrumentation and elements to the work.
I wanted to step out of the box on this one. Plans changed along the way, but that’s one of my favorite parts about making a record — the fluidity of art.
Evan Anstey
Alternates II is available on all streaming and download platforms. For more information on Evan Anstey, visit here.
Buffalo based band Organ Fairchild officially released their third studio record, Songs We Didn’t Write on June 7th. The 44 minute, 9 track collection of instrumental covers follows the 2023 release of Leisure Suit.
The trio is made up of Joe Bellanti on organ and keyboards, Corey Kertzie on drums and percussion, and Dave Ruch on guitar. According to Ruch, it was his son’s idea for the band to record and release an entire album of covers. He says “being a completely instrumental band, we’ve always loved the challenge of rearranging some of our favorite music in the organ trio format, and since our live shows always include some choice covers, this felt like a super fun project and a bit of a no-brainer!”
Left to Right: Kertzie, Ruch, Bellanti (Photo by Joe Cascio)
Songs We Didn’t Write was recorded and mixed by grammy award winning Justin Guip at Milan Hill Studios, and mastered by Alan Evans of Soulive. The record notably features grammy award winning and rock & roll hall-of-famer Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna) on guitar for Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” and The Brass Machine’s horn section on Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish”. The album features a wide variety of artists and influences, from Harry Styles to Bob Marley and Grateful Dead.
“Hard to Handle” features electric (pun intended) guitar work by both Jorma and Ruch. The guitar-led track explodes into solos, before coming to a peak with both Jorma and Ruch trading solos with each other. The rhythm section of Bellanti and Kertzie hold it down together so well here and across the entire record.
“I Wish”, which features The Brass Machine, is a high-energy, freshly arranged take on the classic Stevie Wonder tune. The trombone, trumpet and saxophone additions elevate the song to new heights, and their solos end the song with a bang.
Photo by Matt Shotwell
The band goes back to their roots with songs like “Lazy River Road” and “Lost Sailor.” They were all members of “Wild Knights”, a Grateful Dead tribute based in Buffalo where they first met in 1983. The influence the Dead has in their playing and style is apparent, noticeably in Ruch’s guitar playing and his phrasing. The band does an excellent job at making these songs their own while paying their respect to the originals. Their arrangements are fresh, and they give these covers the space that allows for the song to breathe and come to life in their unique organ trio instrumentation.
Songs We Didn’t Write is currently available on all streaming services [here].
Tracklist:
Them Belly Full (Bob Marley)
Lost Sailor (Grateful Dead)
Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Canyon Moon (Harry Styles)
Hard to Handle (Otis Redding)
Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles)
Lazy River Road (Grateful Dead)
I Wish (Stevie Wonder)
Redemption Song (Bob Marley)
Organ Fairchild 2024 New York Tour Dates:
July 13th – ADK Brew & Chew – Peru, NY
July 18th-21st – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival – Trumansburg, NY
July 31st – Center for the Arts of Homer – Homer, NY
August 3rd – Cobblestoned Vibes – Buffalo, NY
September 5th – Party on the Patio – Saranac Lake, NY
November 6th – Foothills Performing Arts Center – Oneonta, NY
On a balmy summer evening in Buffalo, the KeyBank Center buzzed with anticipation as legendary acts Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire took the stage for a night of soulful melodies and electrifying performances.
The show, a close sellout, drew fans from across the region from Toronto to Rochester, eager to witness two iconic bands in one unforgettable concert experience. There was a countdown clock on the stage video screen telling fans when the show would kickoff.
Earth, Wind & Fire, no strangers to the Buffalo area (last played Buffalo area at Artpark in 2022), kicked off the evening with an explosive energy that instantly captivated the audience. Opening with their timeless hit “Shining Star,” the band set the tone with their trademark blend of funk, soul, and R&B.
The crowd erupted in cheers as they seamlessly transitioned into “Let Your Feelings Show,” showcasing their impeccable musicianship and infectious groove. Their set was a celebration of musical mastery, with intricate horn arrangements, tight percussion, and the soulful vocals that have defined their legacy over decades. They played all of their fan favorites, “Boogie Wonderland”, “Sing a Song”, and closed with their big hit “September”.
After Earth, Wind & Fire left the stage to thunderous applause, the anticipation for Lionel Richie reached its peak when the lights blacked out and a montage video hit the screens. Richie, returning to the Buffalo area for the first time since his memorable performance in Niagara Falls in August 2022, began his set with the iconic ballad “Hello.”
The audience swayed in unison, singing along to every word, as Richie’s smooth voice filled the arena with nostalgia and emotion. One of his most energetic songs he played was his second song of the show, “Running with the night”. Digital cityscapes were displayed on the background video screens and the use of smoke blasts caught some fans by surprise.
Throughout his set, Richie delivered hit after hit, each song resonating deeply with the crowd. From the heartfelt “Say You, Say Me” to the infectious groove of “Dancing on the Ceiling,” Richie proved why he remains a beloved figure in music. His stage presence was magnetic, effortlessly engaging the audience with his charisma and charm Lionel told stories and joked with the crowd. He stated “there will be singing tonight, but not by me……..you the crowd will be singing and dancing”.
As the night drew to a close, Lionel Richie brought the audience to their feet with the ultimate feel-good anthem for his encore, “All Night Long”. The arena transformed into a dance party, with fans of all ages dancing and singing along, united by the joyous spirit of Richie’s music.
The collaboration between Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire was a testament to the timeless power of soul and R&B. Together, they created a night that transcended generations, reminding everyone in attendance why their music continues to endure for decades. For fans in Buffalo, this concert was not just a musical event but a cherished memory that will resonate for years to come. Both acts will be having their own residency this summer/fall in Las Vegas.
Earth, Wind and Fire’s setlist: Shining Star, Let Your Feelings Show, System of Survival, Serpentine Fire, Verdine White Bass Solo, Sing a Song, Got to Get You Into My Life (The Beatles cover), Devotion, After the Love Has Gone (David Foster cover), Reasons, That’s the Way of the World, Fantasy, Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, September.
Lionel Richie setlist: Hello, Running With the Night, Easy / My Love (Commodores song/Lionel Richie song), Penny Lover, Stuck on You, Sail On (Commodores song), You Are, Dancing on the Ceiling (With a snippet of Van Halen’s “Jump”), Three Times a Lady (Commodores song), Fancy Dancer / Sweet Love / Lady (You Bring Me Up) (Commodores song), Just to Be Close to You (Commodores song), Endless Love (Diana Ross & Lionel Richie cover), Brick House (Commodores song) (With a snippet of Ohio Players’ “Fire”), Still (Commodores song), Say You, Say Me, We Are the World (USA for Africa cover)
Encore: All Night Long (All Night)
EARTH, WIND, AND FIRE’SHEART AND SOUL TOUR 2024 DATES:
Wed Jul 10 – Maryland Heights, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Fri Jul 12 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
Sat Jul 13 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Tue Jul 16 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
Wed Jul 17 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Fri Jul 19 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Sat Jul 20 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
Tue Jul 23 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Wed Jul 24 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
Sat Jul 27 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
Sun Jul 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
New York holds a special place in the history of music, spawning countless superstar artists and musical movements. It is no wonder then, that New York has a host of institutions meant to celebrate its important relationship to music. Across New York State, there are a number of Music Halls of Fame, many of which celebrate the musical heritage of their region. Others instead celebrate entire genres that originated in New York. Let’s explore New York’s Music Halls of Fame, their histories, and what they contain.
Locations of New York State’s Music Halls of Fame
New York City Metro
Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame
The Long Island Music Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) is an organization aiming to preserve and celebrate Long Island’s musical heritage. Inspired by this emergence of Long Island, music historian Norm Prusslin and Rich L Hommedieu founded the Hall in 2004. They were quickly joined by Jim Faith and others. LIMEHOF inducts artists, producers, venues, and radio stars from Suffolk, Nassau, Queens, and Kings counties. Located in Stony Brook, the hall of fame occupies an 8,800 square foot building, which also contains a museum dedicated to Long Island Music History. The museum houses instruments, memorabilia, and awards won by some of its inductees.
The exterior of the Long Island Music Hall of Fame
Starting in the 1970s, Long Island slowly began to emerge as a hub of music. Local bands like Zebra and Twisted Sister slowly began to conquer rock radio airwaves in the 1980s. Soon, by the early 2000s, Long Island had become home to its own music festivals, such as the Great South Bay and Long Island Bluegrass festivals. As Billy Joel said in his induction to the hall of fame, “people began to recognize that the âLong Island Soundâ wasnât just a body of water.” Inspired by this emergence of Long Island, music historian Norm Prusslin co-founded the hall of fame in 2004 with Rich L. Hommedieu.
Since its founding, the hall of fame has inducted over 120 figures, who originated or lived on Long Island. Genre pioneers like punk-rockers the Ramones, and hip-hop legends Run-DMC were among the first inductees. The hall of fame also recognizes nationally-known stars, like Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Louis Armstrong for their success and influence. Induction, however is not just limited to artists, with execs, producers, and important venues also having spots in the hall of fame.
The lobby of the hall of fame museum
The hall of fame is also involved in music education, and community involvement. The museum facilities host a theater that showcases local artists, film screenings and music workshops. In addition to inductions, the hall of fame also awards the Harry Chapin award to artists and organizations dedicated to humanitarian causes on Long Island. Past inductees have included Steven Van Zandt, and the Long Island Cares food bank. The organization also awards annual high school scholarships, and recognitions for Long Island high school orchestras.
Hip Hop Hall of Fame
The Hip Hop Hall of Fame is an organization founded in 1992 that is dedicated to the preservation of hip hop as a cultural art. The organization specifically recognizes hip hop’s role in promoting socio-economic empowerment and urban development. In addition to recognizing artists instrumental in hip hop’s foundation, the organization places a special emphasis on community involvement through charity, and education.
A photo of the inaugural inductees in 1995, with Hip Hop Legends Grandmaster Caz, Mr. Magic, Founder JT Thompson, Kool DJ Red Alert and Ez AD
New York holds a key place in the development of hip hop as a genre. Hip Hop was born in the Bronx, with many citing its origins in an August 11, 1973 party held by DJ Kool Herc. His use of two turntables to play extended instrumental funk breaks shaped the sound that would become the basis for hip hop. Since its birth, New York has spawned countless superstars, including Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Jay Z. It is no wonder why the Hip Hop Hall of Fame is based out of New York City.
The hall of fame’s inaugural induction ceremony was held at Sylvia’s restaurant in Harlem in 1995. Since then, BET has nationally broadcast annual induction ceremony and concert every November to celebrate Hip Hop History Month. Inductees include rappers, DJs, b-boys, and producers. The organization currently has no physical location, but that will soon change. The Hip Hop Hall of Fame is constructing a massive complex in the heart of Manhattan. The entertainment complex will host the hall of fame, museum, a hotel, and stores for visitors. The hall of fame museum will contain memorabilia, and interactive exhibits for each of its inductees. The physical facilities are expected to be completed in late 2026 to early 2027.
A digital rendering of the museum’s planned exhibits
The hall of fame holds community involvement and education as a key tenet of its mission. As a result, it offers a host of scholarships, grants, and music industry mentoring programs for inner-city youth. In addition, the organization invests in efforts to register voters, empower local businesses, and provide job training. This is all part of the organization’s belief that hip hop culture can be a positive influence in fixing many of the problems that plague the inner-city.
Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame and Museum
The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium founded the Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame in 1999. Its goal is to recognize musicians who had an impact on the cultural landscape of Brooklyn through both musicianship and community involvement. This hall of fame places specific focus on artists whose work has been overlook in comparison to other commercially successful jazz musicians.
The hall of fame’s origins can be traced to the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, an alliance of venues, community organizations, and musicians. The Consortium places special emphasis on the preservation of jazz as a piece of Brooklyn’s culture, using activism and education to aid in this mission. Specifically, the consortium works to ensure there are accessible, and affordable music shows and programs for Brooklyn’s underserved communities. As part of this mission, the Consortium hosts an annual Brooklyn Jazz Festival.
The Consortium’s Jazz Hall of Fame is currently an online entity. Its creators however hope that it can one day have a physical location. The envisioned location would contain interactive displays, educational facilities and a performance center. The hall of fames inductees include singers, instrumentalists, composers, and bandleaders. Some notable inductees are Lena Horne, Freddie Hubbard, and Max Roach.
The Brooklyn Jazz Hall of Fame presenting an award to flautist Herbie Mann
The Hall of Fame is also dedicated to giving back to the community, and promoting jazz to youth. As a result, they award the annual Deacon Leroy Apple Young Lion Award. The hall of fame presents this award to a young Brooklyn musician with exceptional jazz skills.
American Theater Hall of Fame
The American Theater Hall of Fame is the only organization that recognizes lifetime achievement in American theater productions. Earl Blackwell, James M. Nederlander, Gerard Oestreicher and L. Arnold Weissberger founded the hall of fame in 1970 in Manhattan. The organization’s mission is honor the past history of theater, celebrate present productions, and encourage future involvement in the arts.
The hall of fame is located in the Gershwin Theatre in the heart of Broadway. It takes the form of large gold lettering embossed on the walls of the theater’s entrance. The Gershwin Theatre also houses a small museum dedicated to hall of fame inductees. The second floor lobby houses 22 exhibition cases displaying memorabilia from past inductees. Individual donations, and ticket sales from the theater fund the hall of fame’s memorial and events.
Since its first induction ceremony in 1972, the hall of fame has honored hundreds of performers, composers, and directors. To be eligible for induction, someone must have performed for over 25 years, and have at least 5 Broadway credits. Each year, a committee of 275 critics and hall of fame members votes on candidates, inducting the top 8. In terms of musicians, the hall of fame has inducted famous composers and conductors such as George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein.
The hall of fame hosts an annual induction ceremony and Gala at the Gershwin Theatre each January. Leaders of the Broadway industry frequently attend the ceremony. Each year’s induction ceremony is videotaped and stored at the New York Public Library for Performing Arts at Lincoln Center.
Bronx Walk of Fame
Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer founded The Bronx Walk of Fame to honor the achievements the Bronx’s residents. The Walk of Fame came as part of a larger plan to uplift the spirits of the borough’s residents, and improve the external image of the Bronx. Today, the Walk of Fame takes the form of a 23 block long corridor along the Bronx’s Grand Concourse. Along the concourse, street signs celebrate celebrities who were born or lived in the Bronx.
An aerial view of the Bronx’s Grand Concourse – home to the Walk of Fame
The bright yellow street signs along the Walk of Fame celebrate not only honorees, but the borough as a whole. One side displays an image of the Bronx County Courthouse, the center of government for the borough. The other illustrates art deco storefronts, hinting at the vibrancy of commerce in the community. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the signs were redesigned, placing a larger emphasis on the inductees name, removing the building illustrations.
Each year, the Bronx Borough President, Tourism Council, and Overall Economic Development Corporation vet a series of candidates, before selecting inductees. There is an unveiling ceremony at the County Courthouse, where the signs are displayed for one year, before relocation to the Grand Concourse. The annual Bronx Ball celebration also honors Walk of Fame inductees.
The Walk of fame includes a number of musicians, spanning many genres and decades. Hinting to the Bronx’s importance to hip hop’s birth, a number of rappers, like Slick Rick and Kurtis Blow have signs along the concourse. Additionally, the Walk of Fame also honors the smooth voices of Luther Vandross, Bobby Darin, and Jerry Vale. The Bronx has historically been a hub for Latin music in the US, so many musical inductees have roots in this genre. Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, and Joseito Mateo are just a few salsa and merengue musicians honored on the Walk of Fame.
Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame
The Ertegun Jazz Hall of fame is an organization dedicated to honoring luminary minds of Jazz. The hall’s name comes from Atlantic Records co-founder Nesuhi Ertegun, whose label released many seminal jazz records. Jazz at Lincoln Center founded the hall of fame in 2004 to celebrate the definitive artists that have shaped jazz.
“The Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame will provide a center where the lives and the artistry of the greatest jazz musicians will be celebrated, and where people will come to learn about jazz, something to which my brother devoted his life’s work”
– Ahmet Ertegün
Today, Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall houses the interactive hall of fame. The hall includes a 14-foot video wall, interactive kiosks, and touch-activated virtual plaques. In addition, the hall’s architecture itself is a celebration of jazz instrumentation. The facilities make use of cork, wood, and brass, that are key materials of jazz instruments.
A 60 person panel, including artists, and scholars from 17 different countries works to select inductees. The inaugural 2004 induction included legends like Miles Davis, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, and 11 others. Jazz legends, including Herbie Hancock presented awards to inductees’ family members and friends.
A Display of Hall of Fame inductees in the Frederick P Rose Hall
Capital Region
Eddies Music Hall of Fame
The Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame, colloquially known as the Eddies Hall of Fame began in 2019. The mission of the hall of fame is to celebrate individuals from the Capital Region who have made a significant impact on the music industry. Their contributions can be national or local, drawing a great diversity of inductees.
The Eddies Music Hall of Fame unveiling ceremony
Jim Murphy and Sal Prizio created the Eddies in 2018 as part of Proctor’s Collaborative. The collaborative is a collection of Capital Region theaters, music schools, and other organizations to push music education and economic development in the area. Each year, the organization hosts the Eddies Awards to recognize musicians of the Capital Region, and induct hall of fame members. The first ceremony was held at Schenectady’s Proctors Theatre, and saw 1,250 attendees.
Since its establishment, the Eddies Hall of Fame has taken physical shape in Saratoga Springs’ Universal Preservation Hall. The venue houses a wall of plaques honoring each inductee, with a screen of rotating videos telling their life stories.
Exterior of Saratoga Springs’s Universal Preservation hall
The hall of fame celebrates not only musicians, but also songwriters, producers, journalists and execs who have impacted the industry. To be eligible for induction, candidates must have spent part of their lives in the Capital Region, and had a music career longer than 20 years. The inaugural class of 2019 only had two inductees: Celtic star Kevin McKrell, and folk singer Ruth Pelham. Since 2019, the hall of fame has expanded to include 40 inductees.
Dance Hall of Fame
Marylou and Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney founded the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame in 1986. The organization’s mission is to cultivate appreciation of musical arts, especially dance, in the larger community. The hall of fame additionally partners with the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to aid in arts education.
A restored bathhouse in Saratoga Spa State Park houses the hall of fame and museum. The museum contains memorabilia from some of the most famous dance artists of all time. Photographs, videos, personal artifacts, and costumes are just some of the objects displayed. Additionally, the hall of fame takes the form of golden plaques with the images and biographies of inducted embossed onto them.
From 1987-2019 the hall of fame annually inducted members who left a lasting impact on the dance industry. This has included many musicians, including singers, and composers. 2009 saw the induction of the King of Pop Michael Jackson for his chart-topping dance songs, and choreography. In addition, classical ballet composers such as Igor Stravinsky hold a place in the hall of fame.
The future of the Dance Hall of Fame has been uncertain since the Covid-19 pandemic. The museum remains temporarily closed since 2020, being taken over by SPAC in the meantime. SPAC and museum board member Anthony Ianniello has said that SPAC is working to reopen the museum to the public, with more information being available soon.
Central New York
NYS Country Hall of Fame
Cortland’s Country Music Park & Campground hosts the NYS Country Hall of Fame. Local musician Merlin Reynolds envisioned a hall of fame to recognize the Western artists of New York. In 1984, Reynolds with the help of Loretta and Dr. John Eckel purchased the current property to create the hall of fame.
The Country Music Hall of Fame’s Opry Barn
Located directly off NY-13, the property’s A-frame house hosts the hall of fame. The property contains a hall of fame, and hall of honor, which takes the form of commemorative plaques on the building’s walls. In addition, the property hosts a museum dedicated to country artists from Nashville and New York. The museum has memorabilia, instruments, and costumes from legends like Willie Nelson, and Tammy Wynette. Hall of fame and museum admission is $3 per person, with admission by appointment only.
In addition to the museum, the hall of fame hosts a vast campground for visitors. The campgrounds have guests lodgings, bbq pits, horseshoe courts, and a performance space. The performance hall, called the Opry Barn, has a 150 sq foot stage, hardwood dance floor, and kitchen for visitors. It is also home to the annual hall of fame induction ceremony.
One wall of the Hall of Fame, featuring plaques and memorabilia
Induction into the NYS country hall of fame first requires induction into the organization’s hall of honor. Honorees must have been born or lived in New York, and performed country music for over 10 years. Each year, 3 members of the hall of honor are elevated into the hall of fame at the annual induction dinner dance. In addition, the organization’s lifetime achievement and horizon awards are presented at this event. This ceremony takes place the last Sunday of October. Since its inception, the hall of fame and hall of honor have inducted over 200 musicians.
SAMMY Hall of Fame
Since 1993, The SAMMYS awards have celebrated the music scene of Syracuse and Central New York. Since its inception, the awards have included an annual induction into the SAMMYS hall of fame.
Carolyn Kelly’s induction into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame in 2023
The first SAMMYS Hall of Fame induction took place at Syracuse’s Landmark Theatre in 1993. Since its founding, the annual ceremony has become the largest music event in Syracuse, drawings hundreds of musicians and guests each year. The hall of fame currently has no physical location, and takes the form of this honor at the annual awards. In addition to awards, the ceremony features live performances from local artists and honorees.
The hall of fame recognizes musical artists and organizations from Syracuse who have left a lasting impact on the music industry. Since its start in 1993, the hall of fame has inducted over 100 artists, venues, and publications. The first artist inducted was jazz trombonist Spiegle Wilcox in 1993. In addition, the SAMMYS also recognizes a select few with lifetime achievement awards. Lifetime achievement honorees include legends like Lou Reed, and Ronnie James Dio.
Oswego Music Hall of Fame
Nancy Spereno and the Oswego Harbofest board established the Oswego Music Hall of Fame in 1990. In the words of the organization, they honor artists “who have kept Oswego dancing, singing, and smiling for years.” Following the 1990 awards, the Hall of Fame went on hiatus until its revival in 2015. For the past nine years, the hall of fame has honored local artists at its annual induction ceremony.
The hall of fame’s inaugural induction honored Joseph Spereno, Charlie Davis, Dick Workmen, Jimmy Gannon and Dick Fellows. These men were recognized for laying the groundwork of Oswego’s music scene, as well as their dedication to the community. Then Mayor John T. Sullivan also presented them with keys to the city at the 1990 Harborfest celebration. Following a 15 year hiatus, the hall of fame was revived with the sole induction of Joseph P. Spereno. Spereno worked as agent for legends like Isaac Hayes, ELO, Tom Petty, and others. He was also honored for his dedication to charities fighting AIDS, and funding music education. The hall of fame now awards the “Joseph P. Spereno Hall of Fame Award,” which is the highest honor at the annual ceremony.
2023 Oswego Music Hall of Fame inductee John McConnell
The Oswego Music Hall of Fame has no permanent location, but takes the form of an annual induction dinner each October. The annual ceremony features hall of fame inductions, live music performances, and the awarding of the organization’s annual Joseph P. Spereno Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes a local youth who wishes to pursue a career in music.
Western New York
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the diverse musical heritage of Western New York. Rick and Marsha Falkowski founded the hall of fame in 1983 to honor the musicians and cultural achievement of Erie, Niagara, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The hall of fame not only includes international superstars, but also regional figure’s who shaped the music industry in Buffalo.
Following its founding, Niagara Falls’ Hard Rock Cafe housed the hall of fame in a dedicated room. The room displayed memorabilia and artifacts from the hall of fame’s inductees. For years, the hall of fame hoped for a standalone location to house a performance space, displays, plaques, and memorabilia. This dream came true in 2021, with the opening of a physical space in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood.
Each year, the hall of fame announce its nominees at a midsummer press conference, with official induction taking place at its annual October gala. The 2023 induction gala took place at Buffalo’s Seneca One Tower, with an induction concert taking place the next night. Induction is based on longevity in Western New York, community service in music, music education/mentoring, charitable contributions, recording status, and production credits.
Since its founding, the hall of fame has inducted hundreds of honorees spanning countless genres. Some standouts include funk legend Rick James, pop icons Goo Goo Dolls, and jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra.
The hall of fame partners with many local Buffalo organizations to give back to the community. They often collaborate with Music to Remember WNY, and the annual Juneteenth celebration. Additionally, the hall of fame offers annual scholarships for students who study and perform music.
Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame
The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame is an organization dedicated to preserving and honoring the musical heritage of the Greater Niagara Falls area. The organization inducts individuals, groups, and businesses that have left a lasting impact on the local, national, and international music scenes.
The hall of fame currently has no physical location, but has held induction ceremonies since its founding in 2017. As part of the inductions, an annual ceremony and concert is held, with the 2024 edition set for October 23.
The hall of fame allows members of the community to nominate individuals, groups, and venues for induction. The nominees are then evaluated based on their impact on the local community, not necessarily their popularity. Nominees must have a definite connection to the region, and a noticeable impact on music or community service. Inductees include everyone from the MacKenzie Highlanders Pipe and Drum band to rock guitarist Frank Grazanti.
The MacKenzie Highlanders play at the 2023 Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame induction
In addition to induction, the hall of fame offers an annual Dr. Sam Morreale Award. The award recognizes a musician, promoter, or fan who has shown unparalleled dedication to music in the community. The award’s namesake is Dr. Sam Morreale, a dentist, music historian, and reedist, who served Niagara Falls’ music community for over 70 years.
Rochester Music Hall of Fame
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame began in 2009 to recognize the immense talent, and promote appreciation of Rochester’s music scene. The hall of fame recognizes not only Rochester, but much of Western New York, including Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Wayne counties.
In 2009, local musician Karl LaPorta wrote an op-ed in Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle newspaper envisioning an institution to honor the city’s musicians. Seeing an immensely positive community response, LaPorta assembled a committee, including media, politicians, and musicians, to found the hall of fame.
The exterior of the Eastman School of Music’s Miller Center
The hall of fame made a great stride in 2018, opening a physical location in Rochester’s Miller Center. It now shares the building with the Eastman School of Music‘s Sibley Music Library. The hall of fame holds regular events for the community, including book talks and signings as part of its “Books Backstage” events. In addition, since 2019 âThe Grove Place Jazz Project” sees jazz performances from music school students each Tuesday evening.
Since 2012, the hall of fame has inducted yearly honorees, including musicians, radio hosts, venues, and philanthropists. Rock legends like Foreigner’s Lou Gramm and The Beach Boys’ Al Jardine, as well as Jazz icon Cab Calloway are among the inductees. The class of 2024 includes producer and YouTube star Rick Beato for his role in online music education. The hall of fame awards each inductee with a trophy in the shape of a gold treble clef designed by award-winning artists Mark McDermott.
The hall of fame remains dedicated to giving back to the Rochester community, offering a host of outreach programs. They offer a school outreach program to educate students on music history, opportunities in the music industry, and the hall of fame’s activities. Live music performances often accompany these talks. In addition, the hall of fame awards an annual Douglas Lowry award scholarship to a local high school senior wishing to pursue a career in music.
National Comedy Hall of Fame
The National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY houses the newly established Comedy Hall of Fame. The hall of fame is the first one in the country to honor legends of stand-up comedy. The mission of this hall of fame is to honor inductees, provide education on comedic arts, and explore the role of comedy in American history.
The National Comedy Center, which houses the Comedy Hall of Fame
A 2022 Netflix special titled “The Hall: Honoring the Greats of Stand-Up” launched the hall of fame, acting as its first induction ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by current comedy icons, like John Stewart, John Mulaney, and Dave Chappelle, who honored inductees, as well as comedians who had recently passed. At this inaugural ceremony, four comedy legends were inducted, including Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Joan Rivers, and Robin Williams.
John Mulaney presenting at the first induction into the Comedy Hall of Fame
A brand new wing of the National Comedy Center will house the hall of fame will contain interactive exhibits, archives of rare performances and interviews, and memorabilia from inductees. The National Comedy Center began in 1996 as the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum before its rebranding in 2018. On its 37,000 sq foot grounds, the museum invites upwards of 60,000 annual visitors to explore exhibits ranging from vaudeville to internet memes. In addition, the organization has hosted sets by famous comedians, such as Jerry Seinfeld and Trevor Noah. Congress designated the museum as an official US cultural institution in 2019. The museum is located in Jamestown, NY, the hometown of I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball.
Statewide
New York Blues Hall of Fame
The New York Blues Hall of Fame is a subsection of the national Blues Hall of Fame, founded in 1999. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of the blues through local induction ceremonies across New York States. These ceremonies bring artists, fans, and contemporaries together to recognize inductees’ musical prowess. The hall of fame places special emphasis on those who have gone overlooked, tirelessly perform for passionate audiences.
The Recognition of Jeff Pevar as a Master Blues Artist at the 2016 induction ceremony
The hall of fame currently has no physical location, but has an extensive e-museum on their website. The website contains a gallery of videos and photos honoring its inductees. Additionally, the e-museum hosts pages on local blues histories, and defining bands and artists of the genre. On top of this, it also provides information on local blues jams and events across the state.
Whereas the national Blues Hall of Fame began in 1999, the New York edition had its first induction ceremony in 2011 in Middletown. The hall of fame hosted 24 induction ceremonies through 2016, traveling to NYC, the Hudson Valley, Albany, and more.
In its induction ceremonies, the Blues Hall of Fame honors great artists, photographers, venues, and more. Some honorees of note are Taj Mahal in 2016, Shemekia Copeland in 2013, and Allman Brothers Band drummer Jaimoe also in 2016. The Hall of Fame awards honorees a certificate recognizing them as either a legendary, master, or great blues artist.
