How to Help Support the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class of 2015

The ultimate goal of most Western New York musicians just might be, being inducted into Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Being inducted is not an easy process. But that process is now over and we now know who'll be part of the Class of 2015!

From the BMHOF website. Buffalo Music Hall of Fame President Anthony Casuccio says:

“This year’s class of inductees is absolutely extraordinary.” The inductees will be formally honored at the 33rd Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Gala.
It will take place on Thursday, October 8th at The Cove, located at 4701 Transit Road in Depew, New York.
Linda Rose Lombardo Appleby. Linda is an educator who has taught thousands of students in Buffalo since starting her career in the 1970s. Among her career highlights are directing the co-founding the Buffalo Select Chorus, a group from 12 public high schools that performed throughout the city on CDs with Grammy nominee Joseph Wooten.
Vincent Blasio: This 102 year-old local guitar legend and teacher's legacy dates back to the Great Depression era. He has earned recognition as both a classical and jazz player and as a teacher. In addition to seventy plus years performing with some of the area’s top
dance bands. Vince became the choice house guitarist for Melody Fair.
The Boys of Summer: One of the region’s most popular party bands, also known for their benefit performances for groups such as the Make-a Wish Foundation, Roswell Park and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Jim Brucato. Jim may be best known as a member of the legendary Thirds acoustic trio, but he has been a member of Billy McEwen’s Soul Invaders for over 20 years….. writing and producing some of their recordings.
He also spent a year touring with Maureen McGovern in the 1970s, appearing on the “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert” Television show.

John Connolly…..While Buffalo missed out on the Beatles in the 1960s, John has done his best to make up for it with the bands Switch and the BBC Band, who have been some of the area’s most popular bands over the years.
Dolly Durante….. Dolly’s soulful vocals have led to her performing and/or recording with Muhammad Ali, Buddy Miles, Stevie Wonder, Ike Turner, Lou Rawls, and, yes, Rick James, too.
Flash: The group never officially released its recordings, but established itself as a local legend before its members – Richie Pidanick, James Ralston, Phil Dillon, Dean Mooney and the late Larry Swist – went off to achieve individual success.
Jackson C. Frank……The late folk singer whose song “Blues Run the Game” was later recorded by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famers Simon and Garfunkel, went to England in the early 1960s and was a huge influence on the folk-rock scene there. He died in 1999.
Eli Konikoff: The late trombonist played with Woody Herman and Wild Bill Davidson’s bands in the 1950s before leading his own Yankee Six traditional Dixieland jazz group in Buffalo. He continued to play traditional jazz until his death in 1996.
Hammond B3 master Billy Nunn was a Rick James collaborator with the Stone City Band (including co-writing the James hit “Mary Jane”). But he has also played and recorded with a variety of stars over the past 45 years, ranging from Johnny Lytle to Phillip Bailey of Earth Wind & Fire.
Robert “Freightrain” Parker: This renown bassist has toured internationally…. performing with Johnny “Clyde” Copeland, Bill “Sauce Boss” Wharton and Ronnie Earl,…..piling up recording credits and participating in events such as the Seneca Nation’s “Food Is Our Medicine” project.
Process & the Doo Rags were both back-up singers and a side project for legendary funkster Rick James. They recorded two albums for Columbia Records affiliated companies ….and….. hit the Billboard charts with the James song, “Shout and Stomp.”
Fred Raiser: The late saxophonist’s career took him from touring Mediterranean cruise ships and performing in the Madhatters comedy band in the 1940s … to some 27,000 gigs at Frank’s Casa Nova (performing six nights a week, three shows a night from 1947 to ’74). He also owned a music store and taught before his death in 1985.
Jim Wynne: A bass player for all occasions, Jim has performed and recorded most prominently with Gamalon, Haiku and the Dave Constantino Band. He’s a frequent studio musician as well, working with Robby Takac at GCR Studios
Our Institutional Inductee: M&T Bank. The bank is presenting its 46th year of summer plaza concerts in downtown Buffalo. During that span, M & T Bank has sought to present a broad and diverse array of performers representing the depth of musical talent in the community at the plaza concerts and other events.

Here is how you can help support the inductees. Join us at the Summer Spectacular.This is fundraiser for the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and the Induction Gala scheduled fir October 8th. It will be the first time that some of the Class of 2015 Inductees perform together.

So plan in joining us at The Sportsman Tavern on Amherst St in Buffalo on Sunday August 23rd, 2015. Tickets are available at the Sportsmens Tavern or online.

The Class of 2015 inductees that will be performing are:

Dolly Durante, Jim Brucato, Members of Process and the Doo Rags!

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[Buffalo Music Hall of Fame]