The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame will have its 30th Induction this October 4 at the Tralf Music Hall in downtown Buffalo. Sixteen inductees were announced at “The House that Robby Takac Built” – the world-class GCR Audio Studios, right here in the architecturally significant Allentown area of Buffalo. Rick Mathews, president of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, told me that he was proud that this year’s class was so exceptional, not only in the talent of the new inductees but also in the tremendous diversity in music genres it represents.
Here are the inductees, along with some of their accomplishments:
Performers Category:
Bob Falk – guitar with the Shadows, Hot Guitars From Buffalo, and Lee Ron Zydeco
Al Hury – drummer that won numerous Buffalo Music Awards in multiple musical genres
Bernie Kugel – was considered the Godfather of the Buffalo punk music scene in the 1970s and 1980s
Shawn McQuiller – lead singer for Kool and the Gang
Marylouise Nanna – founder, conductor and musical director of ARS Nova Musicians Chamber Orchestra and Viva Vivaldi Music Festival, current assistant concert master of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Stephen Sadoff – first call bass player for live and recorded music for over 40 years
Tadj Szymczak – guitarist with grammy nominated polka band Jerry Darlak and the Touch
Patrick Wilson – drummer and founder of Weezer
Non-Performers Category:
Marc Hunt – bass guitar, producer, engineerer, over 100 local recording sessions including the Goo Goo Dolls
Armand John Petri – producer, engineer, musician, composer with the Goo Goo Dolls, Talas, 10,000 Maniacs, Sixpence None the Richer, John and Mary
Legacy Award Category
Cameron Baird – Co-founded Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, founded University of Buffalo’s Music Department, UB’s Baird Hall named after his father
Arlester “Dyke” Christian – leader of funk band Dyke and the Blazers, wrote “Funky Broadway” a song about Buffalo’s Broadway
Tom Lorenz – music educator
Ralph Parker – guitarist with Billy McEwen and The Road
Tune Rockers – Green Mosquito song was big hit in 1958, appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand
President’s Award Category:
Frankie and Boyd Lee Dunlop – Frankie was a jazz drummer that played with Lionel
Hampton, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus. Brother Boyd Lee was a piano player that had played in Buffalo including the Colored Musicians Club, and was rediscovered at the age of 85 at a Buffalo nursing home, sold out Hallwalls in 2011, and his new album went to number one on Itunes Jazz Albums.
Hampton, Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Sonny Rollins and Charles Mingus. Brother Boyd Lee was a piano player that had played in Buffalo including the Colored Musicians Club, and was rediscovered at the age of 85 at a Buffalo nursing home, sold out Hallwalls in 2011, and his new album went to number one on Itunes Jazz Albums.
How do I get into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame?
Practice practice practice! But seriously, to be considered, you must be born in the Western New York area, and make major contributions to your musical career while in the area. Past inductees include the Goo Goo Dolls, Ani DiFranco, Talas, Willie Nile, Bobby Militello, Rick James, Grover Washington Jr., moe., and the Scintas.
How do I get tickets to the Induction Ceremony?
Tickets will be available at the Tralf Music Hall. The event is always a special treat every year, because you get to hear a lot of the inductees perform together on stage. Plus you get to see a lot of musicians that you wouldn’t ordinarily see because they are usually so busy playing out.
Who would you like to see make it into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, and why?