The Inductee announcement of the
Class of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014
will take place at the time of the next
Inductions announcements
The announcement will take place in the coming months as ballots for voting become available at this website.
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is
now exploring location options for the combined
week long Induction Ceremony and Concerts for the
Class of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014
Inductees may submit recomedations for
the appointment of New Committee Members
That wish to serve on the Boards and Committees
__________
Bob Crosby, President / CEO
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
(724) 983-2025 Crosby@VocalGroup.org
Tracy Rogers, Museum & Operations Director
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
(724) 983-2025 Tracy@VocalGroup.org
Tony Butala, Chairman / Founder
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
(724) 983-2025 Tony@VocalGroup.org
| Tony Butala | Chairman / Founder / Officer | Foundation Chairman |
| Bob Crosby | President / CEO / Officer | Foundation Vice Chairman |
| Tracy Rogers | Museum Director / Officer | Foundation Secretary |
| Joan Butala | Local Board Member | Administrative Affairs |
| Gary Ferencik | Local Board Member | Theatre Committee |
| Harold Gwin | Local Board Member | Area Newspaper Reporter |
| Greg Loescher | ||
| Diane Leigh Davison, Esq. | Board Member Induction Committee Chairman | Legal Counsel for The Foundation / Music Industry Editor / Entertainment Attorney |
| Mary Wilson | Artist Advisory Board, Chairwoman | The Supremes |
| Joe Terry | Artist Advisory Board, Member | Danny & The Juniors |
| Tim Hauser | Artist Advisory Board, Member | Manhattan Transfer |
| Martha Reeves | Artist Advisory Board, Member | Martha & The Vandellas |
| Claudette Robinson | Artist Advisory Board, Member | The Miracles |
| Michelle Phillips | Artist Advisory Board, Member | The Mama’s & The Papa’s |
| Tony Butala | Artist Advisory Board, Member | The Lettermen |
| Jimmy Merchant | Artist Advisory Board, Member | The Teenagers |
| Charles Barksdale | Artist Advisory Board, Member | The Dells |
| Greg Loescher | Induction Committee, Chairman | Retired Music Industry Editor |
| Jay Warner - Deceased | Induction Committee, Member | Historian – Music Publisher |
| Tony Butala | Induction Committee, Member | The Lettermen |
| Tim Hauser | Induction Committee, Member | Manhattan Transfer |
| Joel Whitburn | Induction Committee, Member | Music Industry Author, Historian |
| Peter Grendysa | Induction Committee, Member | Historian, Musicologist |
| Paul Mawhinney | Induction Committee, Member | Vocal Group Music Collector/Historian |
| Tim Neely | Induction Committee, Member | Music Industry Author |
| William Schurk | Induction Committee, Member | Professor, Bowling Green University |
| Thomas John | Induction Committee, Member | Clear Channel DJ / Musicologist |
| Bruce Cole | ||
| Jon Bauman | Induction Committee, Member | Marquette Univ – Milwaukee Music, Formerly From Sha Na Na |
| Induction Committee, Member | Musicologist, Producer/Promoter |
| Jon Bauman | Truth In Music Committee, Chairman | Sha Na Na |
| Joe Terry | Truth In Music Committee, Vice Chairman | Danny & The Juniors |
| Frank Maffe | Truth In Music Committee, Secretary | Danny & The Juniors |
| Maxine Porter | Truth In Music Committee, Member | Manager, Original Drifters |
| Veta Gardner | Truth In Music Committee, Member | Manager, The Coasters |
| Carl Gardner - Deceased | Truth In Music Committee, Member | The Coasters |
| Charlie Thomas | Truth In Music Committee, Member | The Drifters |
| Herb Reed - Deceased | Truth In Music Committee, Member | The Platters |
| Fred Balboni | Truth In Music Committee, Member | The Platters |
| Sonny Turner | Truth In Music Committee, Member | The Platters |
| Bob Crosby | Production Committee Chairman | Concert / TV / Event Producer |
| Tracy Rogers | Production Committee, Vice Chairwoman | Production Coordinator |
| Production Committee, Member | Production Manager | |
| Production Committee, Member | Video Production Coordinator | |
| Production Committee, Member | Audio Production Coordinator | |
| Bruce Galloway | Production Committee, Member | Sound Engineer |
| Jeannie Graham | Production Committee, Member | Office Manager / Event Coordinator |
| Production Committee, Member | Stage Director | |
| Production Committee, Member | Music Conductor / Arranger |
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame is govern by the Inducted Members and is a 501c3 Non-Profit Foundation. It was founded in January 1997 to honor the “Greatest Vocal Groups of The World” and represents music in every genre.
The basic concept is to induct vocal groups into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, to preserve the music of the inductees, perpetuate their memory and display their memorabilia in a world class Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum paying tribute to the Inductees as international music treasures.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation was designed to help extend the life-long careers of the inducted Vocal Groups by recognizing them as performers, composers and creators of much of the music that influenced today ’s popular music, the music business and our music culture.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was created to present the music history of vocal groups to people of all generations, to educate, entertain and enlighten the world to the astounding legacy of music history left by the vocal groups of the past, to sustain the popularity of vocal groups of the present and to pave the way for vocal groups of the future.
The Foundation was created to benefit the fans, general public, and vocal groups of all types and genres, with a focus on all members of the Inducted vocal groups.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is a unique and important organization owned, operated, and governed by the Inducted Artists themselves. It gives the Inductees direct input into their organization and Non-profit Foundation.
The Board of Directors, Artist Advisory Board, Induction Committee, Truth In Music Committee, and Production Committee are made up of Inductees. This enables them to control their Foundation’s destiny.
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees play an integral part in the inner workings of their non-profit Foundation, living museum, performance theater, and production company.
The Inductees, most of whom are music industry professionals, function as stewards, offering guidance and assistance to the administrative process and operations of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. They are active in the development of the Foundation and its various projects and integral parts.
The overall goal of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is to give honor and show respect to all vocal groups while maintaining the highest level of integrity necessary to remain true, accurate, and authentic in providing information about the inducted vocal groups and the legacy of the pioneer vocal groups that created America’s music.
Sharon, PA, was one of many small towns in Pennsylvania’s rust belt that faced economic decline after the steel mills shut down. A few years after opening the museum, the financial partner withdrew from the commercial project, leaving Tony with the Non-profit Foundation and the financial burden of maintaining the museum.
Without adequate funding, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, PA, struggled to survive. In 2001, the Foundation became responsible for the full operation of the project after that year’s Inductions, leading to the closure of the original museum in November 2005.
Tracy Rogers, who had been interning for years alongside Tony Butala, stepped up and took on the role of Museum and Operations Director, working tirelessly to sustain The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Bob Crosby, a concert and TV producer who began his career at Dick Clark Productions in Hollywood, relocated to Warren, Ohio with his family. In 2001, he was invited to join The Vocal Group Hall of Fame to assist with:
Bob renegotiated a lease for the ex-financial partner’s museum building, reopened the museum (free to the public with donations), and helped transfer ownership of the Foundation to the Inducted Vocal Groups.
In June 2002, the Foundation purchased the Columbia Theatre—one of the original Warner Brothers Theatres built in 1922, located at 82 West State Street, Sharon, PA 16146.
The Foundation went on to organize induction events:
State officials in Pennsylvania suggested removing the Inductees’ memorabilia from the rented facility owned by Tony’s ex-partner. The Foundation then purchased its own “Bricks & Mortar” with plans to relocate the museum to a newly purchased restaurant/bar adjacent to the Columbia Theatre.
In 2008, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum began relocating to 100 West State Street, Sharon, PA, with plans to reopen as a Museum/Clubhouse featuring:
However, funding fell through, and with economic struggles, the Foundation halted operations in Sharon, PA, and began seeking relocation opportunities elsewhere.
Due to a lack of financial support, grant funding, and declining donations, The Foundation began discussions about moving to new cities such as:
Efforts are ongoing, and optimistic discussions continue regarding the future home of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum and Inductions.
The Truth In Music Committee, headed by Jon Bauman, successfully passed the TRUTH IN MUSIC BILL, now law in 34 states—the most critical states where abuse was prevalent.
Additional progress continues with the MusicFirst Coalition, as the PERFORMANCE RIGHTS BILL recently passed the Senate and is now moving through the House of Representatives.
Thank you to everyone who participated in past Inductions. Recordings of Inductions are now available on:
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Record Company was created as a fundraising project. Inductees who have group recordings available for digital download are encouraged to participate, as the Foundation shares royalties with artists who license their recordings.
If you have recordings and would like The Vocal Group Hall of Fame to distribute them for you on a non-exclusive basis, please contact us.
Website updates will be posted as developments materialize.
Your ideas and suggestions are always welcome. Please submit them to the Foundation Office via mail or email.
Inductions is the heart of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The Induction voting process takes place each year
but on occasion has been forced to combine the Induction of a few years due to funding limitations. The Harmony Award or “Harmy” as it is respectfully referred to by the Inducted Vocal Groups, is presented to each new class of Inductees at a Ceremony. Unlike the RESPECTED Grammy, Tony, Country and American Music Awards – just to mention a few – that focus on the recordings created in the current year, first by popularity, then based on the quality of an artist’s endeavors that year, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Harmony Award is different only in the sense that it is in essence a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and not determined on a given years achievement.
Inductees, musicologists, industry professionals, record collectors, music enthusiasts, and web site visitors make suggestions of new vocal group candidates to be added to the list of potential Inductees known as the “Qualifiers List”. These candidates are considered by the Induction Committee members who determine their eligibility by comparing their status of vocal group contribution in the industry to the criteria established in the bylaws of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. Only then, will they be granted a place formally joining the list of Nominees on the Official Ballot.
Only after a vocal group or duo reaches eligible status and the Induction Committee finds the vocal group deserving of the “Harmy”/ Life Time Achievement Award, is the group nominated to the ballot. The group might find that they may remain on the ballot until such time as they are voted in as an inducted vocal group, though they may not be voted as an Inductee in the given year nominated.
This means the nominated group may remain on the ballot and be listed with all other nominated groups until formally voted in as an Inducted Vocal Group. The election of vocal groups per year by policy vote of Inductees has been reduced to one inducted vocal group per category.
Once a vocal group is inducted and receives their “Lifetime Achievement Award” they are removed from the ballot, take their place among other Inducted Vocal Groups and their position on the “Ballot” will then be filled with new nominees selected annually beginning 2010 from the “Qualifiers List” established by the Induction Committee.
The Induction Committee also selects the vocal group “Pioneer Awards”, “Un-Sung Harmony Awards” and any “Specialty Awards” or accolades that may be determined by the Induction Committee and Members of the Board of Directors in the given year . See Current List of Inductees
Inductions are the true heart of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Inductees take ownership in their Foundation upon being inducted. The Inducted Vocal Groups are the greatest asset of the Foundation as their support is everything.
Thus far, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s annual Induction, concerts and related events have not been funded properly making it difficult to stage Inductions annually. Even though the annual fundraising effort has yet to become self-sustaining or financially rewarding, the future will prove that Inductions will become the greatest fundraising event of the year.
The Induction Ceremony, so far, has been a semi-formal private affair, by invitation only, intended to be produced annually, but has been occasionally delayed do to limited funding. Past Inductees enjoy the privilege of hosting The Induction Ceremony, where they introduce and present the new Inductees “Harmy” awards in a concert award-show format.
Many activities take place during the week of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductions.
A celebrity golf tournament is intended to kick off future inductions with a reception dinner following as Inductees begin to arrive for the events leading up to the Induction Ceremony. The Inductions themselves, which, of course, is the main focus of the yearly activities are the highlight of the activities. The Induction Ceremony is followed by concerts where past and present Inductees perform in celebration of their Induction.
Induction events also create revenue for the Foundation from admissions to the events and from media products created from the recordings. The Induction week is a great opportunity for corporate America to support the Foundation through corporate sponsorships of the golf tournament, reception dinner, harmony workshops, concerts and audio and video recordings, which make up the media products, distributed Internationally by the Foundation.
Students from the local school systems are invited to participate in musical seminars conducted by the
Inductees of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In the future, it is our intention to be able to provide small grants, scholarships and scholastic credit for music, dance, band or civics, depending on funding provided by the Foundation or its corporate sponsors giving back to the community by assisting the young that will create
the future for vocal groups.
The Inductees are enthusiastic about participating in Inductions and being available for the press. Radio, television and newspaper interviews conducted by media personalities at the Induction Ceremony, Concerts
and festivities are important to the Artists and the promotion of their Hall of Fame.
It is also an opportunity for sponsors, Inductees and the public to participate together in supporting the fundraising efforts of the Foundation. The week extends the opportunity for the many vocal groups to be together at one time, in one place, to mingle and to become acquainted again with their counterparts in the music world and also with their many fans. At any given moment during the course of the festivities of
Induction week, members of many different vocal groups will congregate and will spontaniousely harmonize together at dinner tables, hallways or in the corners of a room consumed in camaraderie at what becomes a vocal group “Family Reunion”. This week also provides all of the Inductees, past and present, an opportunity to assemble together and share their common heritage as makers of America’s and the world’s music.
The Induction Ceremony is designed to give respect and acknowledgement to the new Inductees for their contribution to vocal group harmony. They are presented their “Harmy” in an award show formatted affair filled with emotional accolades and speeches from their peers, followed by their own acceptance speeches and historical performances. This “Lifetime Achievement Award” is given to original members of vocal groups that have made an impact on society through any type of recordings, television, radio, motion pictures – and in the future to include newer media like music videos and Internet downloads.
The Induction Concert is a time of celebration. Last years Induction was represented by 43 groups
committing their services. Each year performing groups, approximately 150 to 300 artists, attend and participate. The event is professionally staged with state of the art production and is captured on digital
video with a professional multi-camera broadcast video control truck and recorded on high quality 48 track
digital audio. Some of the groups may not be currently performing or may have lost members. Many of
these groups often join together to lend support and participate in performing each other’s hit songs.
These collaborations of members of Inducted groups create truly amazing history-making performances.
See www.vocalgroup.org/concert.htm
Funds are currently needed to edit and mix audio & video recordings made at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame’s
10th Anniversary Inductions.
The Inductees have created a tradition of placing their hand and footprints in concrete during Induction week. During the 2003 Induction Ceremony in Sharon, PA Inducted Artists demonstrated their commitment, endorsement and desire to perform fundraising concerts in the Columbia Theater by immortalizing their prints
in front of the Columbia Theater. The tradition will continue as Hand and foot prints of Inductees will be created at other museum and clubhouse locations around the country in the future.
All of the activities of the Inductions and concerts are recorded for historic archive purposes, and are the
source of the Foundation’s future media products and presentations.
Inductee Performance at
Past Induction Concerts 2001-2007
The Manhattan Transfer, Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Association, The Impressions, The Lettermen, The 5th Dimension,
Harold Jackson’s Ink Spots, The Chantels, Original Jay and The Americans,
The Four Lads, The Skyliners, The Clovers, Martha & The Vandellas,
Sonny Til’s, Legendary Oriole, Danny & The Juniors, The Marcels
Charlie Thomas of The Drifters, Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters Sonny Turner of The Platters
Carl Gardner and the Coasters, Frankie Lymon’s, Legendary Teenagers
The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Harptones, The Pied Pipers
The O’Jays, Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Association, The Impressions, The Lettermen, The Skyliners,
Russell Thompkins Jr. Stylistics, JT Carter of the Crests, The Diamonds,
Jay Trainer of Jay & The Americans, The Lettermen, Danny and The Juniors,
The Tokens, The Jordanaires, Jimmy Merchant of the Teenagers, Harold Jackson’s, Ink Spots,
Carl Gardner of the Coasters, Bill Pinkney of the Original Drifters, Charlie Thomas of the Drifters,
Herb Reed of the Platters, Sonny Turner of The Platters, Earl Speedo of the Cadillacs,
The Chantels, Dixie Hummingbirds, The Clovers, The Modernaires, The Clovers,
Nedra Talley Ross/ Ronettes, Sonny Til’s, Legendary Orioles, Terry Johnson of the Flamingos,
Florence LaRue of the 5Th Dimension, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys
The O’Jays, Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Association, The Impressions, The Lettermen, The Skyliners,
Russell Thompkins Jr. Stylistics, JT Carter of the Crests, The Diamonds,
Jay Trainer of Jay & The Americans, The Lettermen, Danny and The Juniors,
The Tokens, The Jordanaires, Jimmy Merchant of the Teenagers, Harold Jackson’s, Ink Spots,
Carl Gardner of the Coasters, Bill Pinkney of the Original Drifters, Charlie Thomas of the Drifters,
Herb Reed of the Platters, Sonny Turner of The Platters, Earl Speedo of the Cadillacs,
The Chantels, Dixie Hummingbirds, The Clovers, The Modernaires, The Clovers,
Nedra Talley Ross/ Ronettes, Sonny Til’s, Legendary Orioles, Terry Johnson of the Flamingos,
Florence LaRue of the 5Th Dimension, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys
Vocal Group Hall of Fame 10th Anniversary Inductions
Three Dog Night, Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, Dawn, Peter Tork of The Monkees,
The O’Jays, Ruth Pointer Pointer Sisters, Tim Hauser of Manhattan Transfer, The Lettermen,
The Lovin’ Spoonful, Jay And The Americans, Ruby Nash Garnett of Ruby Romantics,
Florence LaRue 5th Dimension, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Mary Weiss – Shangri-Las
Maurice Williams Zodiacs / Gladiolas, Johnny Maestro The Brooklyn Bridge, The Vogues,
Charlie Thomas of The Drifters,The Crystals,The Angels, The Chi-lites, The Dixie Cups,
David Somerville from The Diamonds, The Capris, Frankie Lymon’s Legendary Teenagers,
The Tokens, The Skyliners, Sonny Til’s Legendary Orioles, The Modernaires, The Spaniels,
Terry Johnson’s Flamingos, Danny & The Juniors, Jim Freeman of The Five Satins,
Harold Winley of The Clovers, Tom Bialaglow of The Duprees, The Tymes,
Jimmy Sacca of The Hilltoppers, Gretchen Christopher The Fleetwoods,
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Internet Radio Station is soon to be a dynamic new tool for the Foundation.
It’s an inexpensive way to promote and advertise The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s museum annexes, clubhouses, Inductions, concert tour, concert series, media programs, products, downloads, memberships, merchandise, gift shop and web site. It will create international Internet programming produced weekly that can be re-broadcast throughout the week. The programs will be licensed and will generate barter income from participating broadcast, cable, satellite and other forms of commercial radio sales or licenses. The stations will broadcast, or web cast, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame show after downloading the programming from the Foundation’s web site with a password. The radio programs are to be hosted by Inductees providing services as DJ’s for their own radio shows. LOOK FOR MORE INFO IN THE COMING YEAR 2011
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame on tour is one of the best ways to promote the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
nationally and worldwide. Advertising for each tour date or concert series date continues to promote Vocal Group Hall of Fame locations and events. Programs establish public awareness while creating tourism to the attractions. Tours, concert series and dates of various scopes, sizes, duration and price can be custom-made depending on the needs of the sponsor or promoter. ROUTING DATES FOR INDUCTEES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND IS THE BEGINNING OF THE NETWORK OF LOCATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE TOUR. Interested Inductees and venues are encouraged to contact Bob Crosby at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Media products have been created to honor and celebrate the legacy of the Inducted vocal groups. To date the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Induction Concerts have been captured, archived and distributed as audio and
video products in the form of CD’s, DVD’s, digital downloads and Public Television Broadcasts. Funds are currently needed to create media products by editing and mixining audio & video recorded at the
10th Anniversary Inductions featuring the Class’s of 2005, 2006 & 2007.
Financial assistance is needed.
The recorded performances entertain, educate and enlighten the public, preserve historic memories for posterity sake, while creating media products to financially serve the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. The Inductees continue to support the Foundation by contributing their performances and by donating their audio and video rights. Once again this show of support was illustrated with the Class of 2005, 2006 & 2007 at the 10th Anniversary Induction Concerts, where the artists again donated their performances for the good of the Foundation. However, these shows are not yet edited due to the lack of financing. This material edited and converted into media products will help to promote awareness of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation and raise necessary funds to support the Foundation. The Foundation has developed its own production company
to create programming and recordings from the Inductee’s musical contributions, in many cases remaking the music the legendary artists made famous. The products are distributed worldwide for broadcast, cable, syndication, pay per view, music video downloads DVDs and CDs. The products will be made available at the museum, clubhouses, music distribution outlets, on the Internet, and will be available to Inducted vocal groups touring to merchandise at their shows. The media products were provided for sale during a Public Television Broadcast (PBS), which began airing August 2007 as part of a 3-year syndication license. These products are also available at www.Bestbuy.com www.Amazon.com www.Borders.com etc.
KEY WORD “Vocal Group Hall of Fame”.
Home Video, DVD and CDs made from the 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 Induction Concerts and Ceremony highlights are in US and Canadian chain stores, music video outlets, including military bases world wide,
in stores and on the Internet. Foreign distribution begins 2010. Media licenses for worldwide broadcast, cable and syndicated television, pay per-view and music video downloads, are now available and will become significant revenue sources as popularity grows. Presentations are now being made at industry trade shows and broadcast conventions through agents and media representatives marketing its media products and licenses worldwide. Funding is needed to pay the contractors for audio and video recording and for post – production of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame 10th Anniversary Inductions which will be distributed as DVDs & CDs for the Classes of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Other media products can be made from Vocal Group Hall of Fame archived recordings and will be available when funding for post-production becomes available. Inductees that have their recordings distributed by The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Record Label receive royalties. Recordings made at Inductions are made to support the Foundation. Media licenses for worldwide broadcasts, cable and syndicated television, pay per-view and music video-downloads are now available and will become significant revenue sources as popularity grows.
Available at the on-line gift shop.
Preview all 150 recordings
Please support The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation by downloading
Induction Recordings made from 2002, 2003 & 2004 Induction Concerts
Available on Amazon, iTunes, Rhapsady, Emusic, Napster & others.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation gift shop and Internet store sell memberships and merchandise of the legendary vocal groups such as autographed publicity photos and actual hit albums. DVDs and CDs of Induction recordings and the Inductees recordings will be a good income sources for the Foundation over time.
Income for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is generated through its membership program.
The general public pays a membership fee to be put on the donors list, and receive a membership packet of exclusive special Vocal Group Hall of Fame products produced by the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation.
(i.e. T-shirts, CDs and DVDs) Gift Shop
