Mission Statement  ^Top

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame is a 501c3 non-profit Foundation.  It was founded in January 1997 to honor the Greatest Vocal Groups of The World in every genre of music.  The basic concept is to induct vocal groups into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, to preserve their music, perpetuate their memories, display their memorabilia in a world class Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum and to promote their musical legacy throughout the world while paying tribute to them as international music treasures. 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is designed to help extend the life-long careers of the Inducted Vocal Groups by recognizing them as composers and creators of much of the music that influenced today’s pop culture. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was created to present the music of the Inducted Vocal Groups to people of all generations, to educate, entertain and enlighten the world to the astounding legacy of music left by these Vocal Groups of the past and to pave the way for Vocal Groups of the future.

Concept  ^Top

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is a unique and important organization. It was created to benefit all members of the Inducted Vocal Groups.  The Foundation is operated and governed by the Inducted Artists, Board of Directors, Artist Advisory Board, Induction Committee, Truth In Music Committee and Production Committee.   

The Inductees themselves are an integral part and control the inter-workings of their own 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 operations of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation and its various projects and parts. Some of the future projects of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation include a theatrical booking agency, record and publishing company, national radio program / station, concert tour, and television award show. Annexes of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum are being planned for major tourist destination cities throughout the world. 

The concept of a “Club House” for Vocal Groups has never before existed. A safe, comfortable place to share and relive memories and life experiences, where Vocal Groups from the nearly retired, or legendary groups, to the new, younger and currently active groups, may come to entertain, relax, reminisce and participate in the camaraderie of others having the similar interests and common goals; making beautiful harmonic vocal group music.   

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has future plans to provide a health care program and to build a retirement home with an assisted living care wing for the vocal group members who are in financial need.  

Eventually, Inductees participating in the media products will receive royalties once the Foundation has stabilized its financial existence and institution.

Honor, Respect & Integrity  ^Top

The overall goal of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is to honor and respect the true legacy of Vocal Group members, maintaining the highest degree of integrity of the true pioneers and makers of America’s music.

History  ^Top

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation was conceived in the early 1960’s by Tony Butala. Tony founded “The Lettermen” vocal group in 1958.  His dream of a lifetime was realized in 1998 when the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum opened in his hometown of Sharon, Pennsylvania and began inducting vocal groups into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.                                              

After a few years, in November 2001, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation started full operation of the museum and Inductions.  The Foundation headquarters are now located at The Columbia Theatre, 82 West State Street, Sharon, PA 16146, purchased by the Foundation in 2002. This administrative office is where the business affairs are conducted, press and public relation matters are addressed, organization of the annual Induction Ceremonies / Concerts are planned and media products are developed. 

The Induction voting process takes place each year. 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 an annual Induction Ceremony.  It is in essence a “Lifetime Achievement Award”. Once nominated, the vocal group will live on the ballot until voted in as an inducted group. Musicologists, past Inductees, readers of
magazine and website visitors make suggestions of new vocal groups to be added to the "Qualifiers List". This can be done through the web forum available at the "Contact Us" page. The "Qualifiers list" is the list of eligible vocal groups that qualify for induction. These candidates are considered by the Induction Committee, who determine their eligibility by comparing their status as vocal groups in the industry to the criteria established in the bylaws of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation.  Then nominees are formerly determined by the Induction Committed that nominate them to the ballot for final vote and induction. The nominated vocal groups are granted a place formally joining the list of official nominees on the “Ballot”. The criteria needed to be accomplished for a Vocal Group to be placed on the “Ballot” is as follows:

• Vocal Group must have at least a 20 year history in the music industry.
• Vocal Group must have had a hit record or significant vocal contribution. 
• Vocal Group must have a minimum of three part harmony. (Other then dou's)

Once a Vocal Group has been named as an official nominee, even though they may not be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a given year, they will remain on the “Ballot” and will be listed with all nominees until such time as they are voted in as an Inducted Group. 

After the annual Induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame of approximately twelve Vocal Groups, their position on the “Ballot” will be filled with approximately twelve new nominees selected annually from the list of qualifying candidates determined by the Induction Committee as new nominees. 

The Induction Committee also selects the Pioneer and specialty awards.

The ballot is circulated and distributed to the Induction Committee, Musicologists, 
Past Inductees, in magazine (music industry magazines) and posted at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame website.

Induction Committee/Musicologists votes represent 35% weight of the total vote.

• Past Inductee votes hold 30% weight of the total vote.  
• Goldmine Magazine votes represent 30% weight of the total vote.
• Vocal Group Hall of Fame website represent 5% weight of the total vote.

Annual Inductions  ^Top

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s Annual Induction, related concerts and events are the true heart of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Thus far Inductions have not been self-sustaining, however, they will become the most financially successful yearly fundraising functions of the Foundation in the future.  The Induction Ceremony, so far, has been a semi-formal private affair by invitation only.  Past Inductees enjoy the privilege of hosting the Induction Ceremony, introducing and presenting the new Inductees their “Harmy” awards, in an award show format.

September 17th Concert
-The Manhattan Transfer
-The Association
-The Lettermen
-The Four Lads
-Charlie Thomas of The Drifters
-Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters
-Carl Gardner and the Coasters
-The Chantels
-The Clovers
-The Harptones
-The Pied Pipers
-The Dixie Hummingbirds

September 18th Concert
-The Modernaires
-Martha and The Vandellas
-Mary Wilson of The Supremes
-The 5th Dimension
-The Original Jay and The Americans
-The Skyliners
-Frankie Lymon’s Legendary Teenagers
-The Impressions
-Danny and The Juniors
-Sonny Til’s, Legendary Orioles
-Harold Jackson's Ink Spots
-The Marcels

Foundation Duties, Goals & Objectives  ^Top

Truth In Music  ^Top
The “Truth in Music” issue is a very important goal and significant project being pursued by The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. Many Vocal Groups have experienced identity theft. Imposter groups are booked by unscrupulous agents and are presented to unsuspecting buyers in numerous venues around the world.  These groups misrepresent themselves onstage and are deceptive. They leave the audiences believing that they are the true legendary artists that created the music. There are also other issues regarding artist rights, misuse of artist’s names, music piracy, copyright and trademark infringement and other issues of identify theft.

The 2003 Inductions concluded with a Senate Hearing on the “Truth In Musical Advertising Act” (Now Senate Bill 929 Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law) held at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.  Vocal Group Inductees testified regarding their experiences of abuse and misuse of their name, trademark and copyright, giving examples of identity theft and false advertising relating to appearances by fake groups. Recently, the Pennsylvania State Senate and House of Representatives have unanimously approved Senate Bill 929, which was signed in to law by Governor Randell February 21, 2006. Several members of the “Truth In Music Committee” earlier helped pass a Bill in South Carolina and North Dakota that will be modified / amended to reflect the Pennsylvania model designed for multiple states on is way to a Federal Law.

Years ago, with the gaining momentum of the “Truth In Musical Advertising Act”, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation created the “Truth In Music” committee. A taskforce consisting of a number of Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, Nominees and industry professionals, along with political and legislative supporters began working together to promote the legislation. Several of the major contributors are Jon Bauman, Truth In Music Committee Chairman, (Bowzer) Sha NA NA, - Joe Terry, Vice Chairman, Danny & The Juniors - Frank Maffie, Secretary, Danny & The Juniors, Maxine Porter, Bill Pinkney and Charlie Thomas of The Drifters, Veta and Carl Gardner of The Coasters, Sonny Turner and Herb Reed of The Platters, Mary Wilson, Chairwomen, Artist Advisory Board, The Supremes and Senator Robert D. Robbins of Pennsylvania, sponsor of Senate Bill 929 among others.

Mary Wilson and State Representative Yarbough of Illinois recently presented the legislation to a State Senate Committee in Illinois, which returned a unanimous vote. Mary Wilson and Bob Crosby, Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation President / CEO, were guest speakers at the 2005 National Foundation for Women Legislators Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona and received a promise of assistance in bringing the Bill to a Federal Level. The Truth In Music Bill is already receiving positive response in many states. Jon Bauman, Joe Terry and Frank Maffie have been extremely instrumental in getting the Bill sponsored in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Missouri, Delaware, Iowa, Nevada and New York are soon to follow. This is a big step toward making it a federal law. 

Artists Financial Assistance & Royalties  ^Top
Many Vocal Groups have signed unfair contracts waving their trademarks and right to royalties, leaving them with nothing to show for their many years of hard work performing and recording, let alone the countless hours, days and years touring on the road. 

Some artists have had a difficult time collecting their royalties. A large majority of the affected Vocal Groups either never had sufficient business management or lost their business guidance when the group changed record labels, were dropped from a record label, or underwent personnel changes, death of a member or disbanded. Even though a Vocal Group may have been inactive in the Entertainment Business for years and no longer registered with the various guilds, record or publishing companies, their recordings were and are still being played and sold in the market place continuing to create royalties.  

Many Record Companies, AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) & Publishing Guilds like: ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) have lost contact with many of the Vocal Groups and have had no way to send the royalties and residual checks owed them. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has been working to reestablish communications with the above organizations to supply them with contact information and to aid in the difficult task of locating the groups and individual members. Hopefully, this will help the Vocal Groups collect the thousands of dollars in long overdue royalties and residuals due them from their life’s work. 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has worked closely with Sound Exchange. Sound Exchange’s main objective and function is to assist all recording artists in collecting royalties and residuals.  Sound Exchange made a presentation at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Induction in July 2005 to inform the Inducted Vocal Groups of the many new Industries that have been established like the internet, satellite radio, video games, ringtones and other digital uses that have created additional new royalties and residual income for the Inductees, Nominees and entertainers around the world.


Education And Information  ^Top
Many of the older, historic vocal groups, since they may not have been active in the entertainment industry, do not receive ample exposure on television, radio, newspapers, or in show business or trade magazines. The music industry as well as the press and media are recognizing The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation as a reliable information source on Vocal Groups. On many occasions in the past several years, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has been contacted when a member of a classic vocal group has become very ill or has passed away and the press has not been notified. 

During the better part of the past decade, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has established itself as a viable communication link between vocal groups, national press, entertainment industry, guilds, unions, educational institutions and the general public. 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation through its numerous contacts in the industry, press, media, website and newsletter has been able to spread this news to thousands of fans and friends of the group member enabling communication with that group member or family, offering respectful get well encouragement or in the case of death, support and condolences to the family. 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation receives hundreds of telephone calls, letters and E-mails from Vocal Groups or their fans with information regarding activities of the vocal group.  The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation posts the pertinent information on its website providing a forum for Vocal Groups who may not otherwise have the luxury of a publicist or website. 

Harmony Workshops  ^Top
Education Workshops and programs are being developed.

• The 2003 Inductions featured a Harmony Workshop held backstage at Cafaro Field. Nine schools districts and 50 plus Inductees participated in a very successful workshop educating and enlightening a new generation of the technique and value of vocal harmony.

• An on-line workshop will feature music history lesson plans and other teacher resources.

• The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum has hosted many school tours where students participated in a musical scavenger hunt furthering their education on vocal groups and the history of vocal group music. 

Columbia Theatre  ^Top

The Columbia, a circa 1922 ornate vaudeville/motion picture theater was originally owned by the Warner Brothers and later Columbia Amusement Company. This performance venue, that hosted many famous movie stars and vaudeville acts, will be the crown jewel of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation complex.  The theatre will become a state of the art, icon building in Sharon, Pennsylvania. While servicing the local community in many ways, it also will be a venue in which to present live performances of the Inducted Vocal Groups in concert and record them in both audio and video continuing to develop media products. These media products will be the vehicle to showcase and promote the Inductee’s music creating products and generating revenue for the Foundation. The theater will also serve as a television broadcast studio to create musical television programming and music videos as well as to send out future annual Induction Ceremonies and Concerts to the world.  Restoration of the seventeen hundred-seat Columbia Theatre is now underway.  

Currently, a “Community Work Program” with the Mercer County Correctional Facility,

Vocational trade schools and other volunteers are making gradual progress with the restoration while waiting grant funding.

• Phase-One grant is a request for an initial $50,000.00 for immediate repairs.  

• Phase-Two is a $2.5 Million Dollar Anchor Grant for the icon building in downtown Sharon, Pennsylvania. This is the funding grant for the restoration process to bring the building in compliance with standard code and safety requirements.  This grant will, at least, allow the Foundation to obtain an occupancy permit or variance that will enable the theater to open its doors to the public bringing life to the theatre, the Hall of Fame and Sharon, Pennsylvania. Performances may then begin, generating funds to support the Foundation and service the City of Sharon with entertainment and a GREAT entertainment venue. 

• An Eight Million Dollar Matching Funds Grant is on the State of Pennsylvania books.  Sponsors, donors, corporate or individual contributors and other IN-KIND Services can secure the matching fund requirement.

Grant request to the City of Sharon and State of Pennsylvania have been submitted.

Current Income To Date  ^Top
The Columbia Theatre received is approximately $187,000.00 in grants and donations from contributors and the State of Pennsylvania after being saved at an auction from demolition. It was purchased by Tony Butala in 1981, under the umbrella name Columbia Theatre Inc. 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation then purchased the theatre in 2002.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has received $420,000.00 in Grant funding since it began operation of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in November of 2001.

• $220,000.00 From The State of Pennsylvania
• $200,000.00 From The State of New Jersey (2004 Inductions)

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has received the following additional funding.

• $34,500.00 From Video Distributors
• $50,000.00 From Public Television
• $168,000.00 From Induction Events
• $146,185 In Private Donations & Loans
• $230,000.00 From Tours, Special Events, Merchandise & Other Misc. Incomes

Not counting constant financial support from Tony Butala over the years.

This brings the total generated incomes, since November 2001, to just over one million dollars.  However, fundraising is very much needed to support the museum, annual Induction and concerts, special events and the many future projects that will continue to keep the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation the internationally known music treasure that it is becoming.  

By keeping the Foundation free from private funding interests, allows it to remain pure, true to its heart and mission and not swayed by financial partners and personal profit motives, allowing for less payback and debt services giving it a better chance for financial stability. 

Grants and donations are a very desirable form of financing.  National sponsors are an optimum future financial solution for the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, as are financial partners, providing long- term loans at low interest rates. 

Future Income  ^Top
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s future income is subject to a few variables. One of which is the amount of contribution to come forth from the State of Pennsylvania in the form of grants, support for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame’s start–up and funding of the annual Inductions, Concerts, Special Events, Museum, Theatre and projects as well as basic staff and overhead.


Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum Complex  ^Top
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation complex in Sharon, Pennsylvania consists of the museum, restaurant, banquet center, piano bar and Columbia Theatre. Admission will be charged to the museum at adult, senior and student prices.  Travel agencies and tour operators will be marketing Bus Tours that include theatre and museum tickets with meals at the restaurant. The facility will also be utilized as a banquet center and will be available for business meetings, weddings, class reunions and the like.  Inductees will be frequenting the museum and performing in the piano bar. 

Gift Shop & Internet Store
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation gift shop and Internet store sells memberships and merchandise of the legendary Vocal Groups such as autographed publicity photos and actual hit albums and CD’s which are a good income sources for the Foundation.

Membership Program
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 products produced by the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation (i.e. T-shirts, CD’s DVD’s)

Radio
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Internet Radio Station will not only be the least expensive way to advertise, but will create a national program generating barter income from participating radio stations broadcasting the Vocal Group Hall of Fame programming after downloading the weekly show from the www.vghf.org website by way of a password.

Media Products
Home Video, DVD and CD’s made from the 2001, 2002 & 2003 Induction Concerts and Ceremony Highlights will be distributed by spring 2006 to US & Canadian chain stores and music video outlets, including military bases world wide. Foreign distribution is to follow by summer. 

These media products, with the addition of the 2004 Induction DVD’s and CD’s, will be provided for sale during a Public Television Broadcast (PBS), which begins airing in 2006.  

Media license fees 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. Other media products can be made from Vocal Group Hall of Fame archived recordings and will be available when funding for postproduction becomes available. 

Musuem Annex
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Foundation is currently pursuing a program to annex The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum to other locations in major tourist destination cities throughout the United States and eventually the world.  

Landlord sponsors and/or financial partnerships with non-profit State, County and City agencies are being considered for museums and performance venues in metropolitan cities such as Las Vegas, NV, Miami, Florida, New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA. 

A design model for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Annex that has been proposed, consists of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, a 501©3 Non-profit Foundation, and a partnering Non-profit in the local city, hosting the annex museum. Grant funding, donations and sponsorships would be the desired funding sources to build the museum annex. 

Museum admission tickets, bus tours and sponsorships would provide operational funding. Non-profit revenue beyond operational expenses would be shared between the local non-profit host organization and The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, keeping all revenue within the non-profit organizations.  Local non-profit proceeds will go towards improvement, development and expansions of the local museum annex. 

This would generate funds quickly and make operation of the museum self-sustaining while developing revenue for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundations national effort.

• The local hosting non-profit organization would be responsible for building and initially funding the museum and its start-up operations. 

• The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation would be endorsing and contributing it's brand name, providing the artist's memorabilia for display, artist's merchandise, Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation merchandise and media products, tapes, CD's, DVD's etc for sale, and would arrange for visits from the artists for autograph signings, meet and greets and possible performances when  local venues and funding become available.


Summary  ^Top

Grants provided to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame will give the Foundation the necessary working capital and cash flow to reach its goals, perform its duties and meet its objectives. 

Implementing the projected business plan over the next few years by providing the requested grants will enable the Foundation to become a self-sustaining organization in a short time and a National Institution that will live for generations.

People from all over the world will come to Pennsylvania to learn and become enlightened to the “History of our Music”. To the Artists, will come honor and respect for their creation of music, past, present and future. The aim of the Foundation is to develop and perpetuate an institution with integrity, a model Foundation for the Entertainment Industry.

In conclusion, it is the hope of the Foundation’s Inductees, Board of Directors, Committee members, and supporters, that the State of Pennsylvania will recognize the contribution and value that The Vocal Group Hall of Fame brings to the State of Pennsylvania, The United States and the World and will provide the required grant funding. 

Through the Foundations efforts and Inductees contribution of millions of dollars of   
IN-KIND services, contributing live performances and audio and video recording rights,
the Foundation will build a National Institution to be loved and respected by people of the world, the entertainment industry and the Artists that create the music.

This Business Plan is based on conservative assumptions. We feel that the City of Sharon, Warren and Youngstown, and throughout the counties of Mercer, Mohoning and Trumbul will feel the economical impact as tourist beging to vist The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum. The Induction Concert and concert series stage within the three counties will as well contribute to the grow. It is our hope and belief that the State of Pennsylvania will recognize the value of this project and the tourism it will bring to the community and the state provide the proper grant funding in a timely manner. We encourage The State of Ohio to assit Pennsylvania in the effort as they to will benefit from the project.