Induction Committee, Member
Induction Committee, Member
Marquette Univ – Milwaukee Music
Formerly From Shan Na Na
Musicologist, Producer/Promoter
Truth In Music Committee
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
Truth In Music Committee, Member
The Coasters
Charlie Thomas
Truth In Music Committee, Member
The Drifters
Herb Reed
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
Production Committee
Bob Crosby
Production Committee Chairman
Concert / TV / Event Producer
Tracy Rogers
Production Committee, Vice Chairwoman
Production Coordinator
Will Roth
Production Committee, Member
Production Manager
Dan Demyan
Production Committee, Member
Video Production Coordinator
Mike Talanca
Production Committee, Member
Audio Production Coordinator
Bruce Galloway
Production Committee, Member
Sound Engineer
Jeannie Graham
Production Committee, Member
Office Manager / Event Coordinator
Doranne Kelly
Production Committee, Member
Stage Director
Michael Erickson
Production Committee, Member
Music Conductor / Arranger
Bob Crosby President / CEO - Crosby@VocalGroup.org
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation (724) 983-2025
Mike Kotyk - Committee Chair
"Friends of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame" wktyk@aol.com - (724) 301-6993
A Community Development Committee has formed
to assist on
the
local level
by raising awareness, providing materials,
volunteers,
and
developing fundraisers to
help
with the
opening of
The Columbia Theatre,
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum
and Foundation.
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 vote the most qualified 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. A few annexed locations under consideration. To promote the inducted groups 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 American music 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 the
Vocal Groups of the past and to pave the way for Vocal Groups of the future.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is a unique and important organization. It was created to benefit the general public and 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 play an integral part and control the inter-workings of their own Vocal Group Hall of Fame non-profit Foundation. Inductees are active in the Foundations development of its museum, museum annexes, 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 record and publishing company, booking agency, concert tour, national radio program and television award show. Museum annexes of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame are under consideration and being planned for a fewr tourist destinations.
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 with fans, where Vocal Groups from the nearly retired, or legendary groups, welcoming new members of the authorized evolved group to the new, younger and currently active groups.
Members come to entertain, relax, reminisce and participate in and enjoy the camaraderie of others having legendary contribution to America's Music, similar interests and common goals; preserving America's cultural music. Inductees enjoy re-making the beautiful harmonic vocal music that they made popular for download. This helps the groups and the Foundation financially. The recordings are usually live or a remake or new arrangement of the Inductees' hit songs.
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.
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.
Preview all 150 recordings
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Class of 2002
Bob Crosby, President / CEO
Tony Butala, Chairman / Founder
The overall goal of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is to honor and respect the true legacy of the Inducted 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 a 501 (3) Non-Profit Foundation took over full operations. There were no investors, share holders or parties with financial interest. The Foundation was left to rely on grants, sponsorships, donations and fundraisers produced by the Inductees and supporters.
In todays ecomony, grants, sponsorships and loans are near impossible to aquire. Sharon, PA struggles as do many old small steel towns in the rust belt makinging it difficult to rely on the local community for financial support.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation headquarters (724) 983-2025 are located at
The Columbia Theatre, 82 West State Street, Sharon, PA 16146, purchased by the Foundation in 2002. The Foundation owns the Columbia Theatre and the three story Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum building complex. Both building are slowly under renovation without funding.
This administrative office is where the business affairs are conducted, press and public relation matters are addressed, organization of the annual Induction Ceremonies, Concerts, tours and media products are planned and developed.
Columbia Theatre &
The Museum Entrance
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Modernaires
The 5th Dimension
The renovation of the Columbia Theatre located at 82 West State Street & the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum located at 100 West State Street, Sharon, PA has all but stopped due to the lack of funding effort and support from both local and state.
Take A Virtual Tour of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum!
Click on Image wait whlie virtual tour file loads. See video “Club House”
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum, when open or relocated, will once again display memorabilia of Inducted Vocal Groups and also display memorabilia of vocal groups who have had a hit record and/or has made a significant contribution to the world of vocal group music. The Museum will feature over one hundred exhibits of vocal group memorabilia. Vocal Group Memorabillia is now in storage and ready to relocate once annex agreements have been completed.
The greatest vocal groups of the world have donated or loaned their personal memorabilia and artifacts to the Foundation for display in the museum and designated annexes. Each year approximately twelve additional Vocal Groups are selected by vote and added to the growing list of Inductees that participate at inductions and contribute memorabilia to the musueum and annexes.
As the collection of memorabilia grows so does the need for more museum space will be required.
Museum locations, annexes and soft rock cafe like displays are now being planned.
Eventually additional museum buildings will be added at successful annexes that will serve as specialty museums housing memorabilia related to various styles of music such as: Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Blues, Gospel, Doo Wop, Big Band, Jazz, Beach Music, Barbershop/Sweet Adeline and other music genres.
The Foundation plans to annex The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum to major tourist cites throughout the United States & eventually selected cities of the world.
Host cities and tourist destinations interested in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame should contact Bob Crosby, President / CEO at the Hall of Fame headquarters in Sharon, PA. 16146 Crosby@VocalGroup.org(724) 983-2025
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. The next Inductions will feature the
Class of 2008 & 2009 and hosted by the Class's of 1998-2007.
THE FOUNDATION IS
NOW LOOKING FOR A LOCATION AND SPONSOR to present the 2008 & 2009 Inductions. Inductions are being considered for early 2010.
See info on the last Induction held: 10th Anniversary Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductions
The Harmony Award given at Inductions 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 music industry magazines 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 Committee 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. (THIS PROCESS IS NOW UNDERWAY FOR THE CLASS OF 2008)
The Induction Committee also selects the Pioneer and specialty awards.
The ballot is circulated and distributed to the Induction Committee, Musicologists,
Past Inductees, selected (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. •MusicMagazine ballots / votes represent 30% weight of the total vote.
• Vocal Group Hall of Fame website represent 5% weight of the total vote.
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. The 10th Anniversary Inductions held Youngstown, Ohio November 6-9, 2008 was the victim of the economic hardship being felt throughout our country. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame suffers from debt and the inability to move forward without financial assistance.
Please help where you can. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame ON-LINE Gift Shop
Funding for the 10th Anniversary Inductions is provided in part by The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania & The Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
In the future Inductions will be financially successful and most likely become the Foundation's biggest annual fundraiser.
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.
The Temptations
Denny Doherty &
Michelle Phillips of
The Mama's & The Papa's
Reception ^Top Many activities take place during the week of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductions.
A Reception Dinner is usually held prior to the Induction Ceremony at a time when all of the arriving Inductees, past and present, can assemble to share their common heritage as makers of America's music.
The evening 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. At any given moment during the course of the evening you may see members of many different vocal groups combining to harmonize at their tables or in the corners of the room consumed in the camaraderie of the moment. Ceremony ^Top The next day a 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. The evening follows with their acceptance and history making performances. The “Lifetime Achievement Award” is given to original members of groups that were involved in the hit recordings.
Concerts ^Top The Concert is a time of celebration. The next Inductions will be hosted by Inductees from the Classes of 1998-2007 and will feature performances from the Classes of 2008 & 2009. Approximately 300 artists attend and participate over several days of events that include concerts each evening.
The event is professionally staged with state of the art production, captured on digital video with professional multi camera video broadcast control trucks, and recorded on high quality multi track digital audio.
Many of the groups may not be currently performing, or have lost members, so groups often join together lending support to each other in the performance of their hit songs, making for truly historical performances by collaborating group members.The Vocal Group Hall of Fame prides itself on its success bringing together 7 reunions of Inducteed Vocal Groups in the last 7 years.
The 2002 & 2003 Induction Concerts were recorded live at Cafaro Field,
A Cleveland Indians Minor League Baseball Stadium in Niles, Ohio.
Kenny Vance with all of the Original Members of
Jay & The Americans performing for the first time in thirty years.
The 2004 Induction Finale - Wildwood New Jersy
_______________________
10th Anniversary
Induction Pictures
Committee Meeting ^Top All Committees meet to discuss Foundation business and its many activities to continue to develop and improve The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.This past years 10th Anniversary Inductions had meetings each day of Inductions to continue to develop Inductee participation on boards and committees.
This years meetings: Truth In Music, MusicFirst Coalition - Fair Play For Air Play,
Museum Memorabillia, Concert Tour, Radio Show,
Media PRODUCTION and Post Production,
Record Company / iTunes,
Theatre & Museum Restoration, Fundraising, Sponsors, Doners & Grants. Workshops ^Top
2003– Original, legendary, Vocal Group members gave on camera, detailed insight and stories of the origin and history of their groups and valuable industry advice.
During the 2003 Induction Ceremony artists demonstrated their commitment and endorsement and desire to perform fundraising concerts in the Columbia Theater when it opens by memorializing their foot prints.
Inductees have started a tradition of placing hand and footprints in concrete in front of the Columbia Theatre in a public ceremony.
2003 – Music Education Workshops - school students attended by nine school districts.
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.
2003 - Inductions concluded with a Pennsylvania Senate Hearing organized by State Senator Bob Robbins, Bob Crosby VGHF President / CEO and Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Chair for the Artist Advisory Board.
Inductees testified of the abuse they experience in the form of Identity Theft and of the Consumers mis-lead to believe they are seeing and hearing the legendary artist when they in fact are not. The testimony lead to the forming of the Truth In Music Committee headed by Jon (Bowzer) Bauman, Chair of The Truth In Music Committee who, with the help of many, has successfully passed the Truth In Music Bill in 27 states.
All of the above activities were professionally recorded for historical archive purposes, and are included in the Foundation’s media products and presentations.
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.
Mary Wilson Testifying - Senator Bob Robbins at the hearing.
"Truth In Music" Advertising Act Bill #929 Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law
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, Chair, Artist Advisory Board, The Supremes, Bob Crosby VGHF President / CEO, 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 as is now law in 27 states.
Jon "Bowzer " Bauman, and Committee members Joe Terry and Frank Maffie have been extremely instrumental in helping getting the Bill sponsored in
NY, CA, FL, NV, TN, TX, MO, PA, NJ, MI, MA, CT, IL, IN, WI, VA, VT, ME, CO, MD, MS, MN, RI, SC, ND, Delaware and now Ohio.
This is a big step toward making it a federal law.
People who love music understand
that creativity, talent and hard work
are required to bring it to life.
The goal of musicFIRST is to
ensure that struggling performers,
local musicians and well-known
artists are compensated for their
music when it is played both
today and in the future.
Of all the ways we listen to music,
corporate radio is the only one
that receives special treatment.
For more than 80 years, big
radio has had a free pass
to play music – refusing to pay
even a fraction of a penny to the
performers that brought it to life.
music FIRST is committed to
making sure everyone, from
up-and-coming artists to our
favorites from years-ago,
is guaranteed
Fair Pay for Air Play.
You can help by writing your
member of Congress and
telling them that you support
musicFIRST’s effort to
make a performance
right a reality for all
artists and musicians. Radio’s promotional value is on the decline. New music distribution platforms – such as satellite, cable and internet radio – provide additional ways for consumers to enjoy music. With the exception of AM and FM radio, each platform pays for the recordings they use regardless of any promotion that might occur
as a result, including broadcasters who simulcast their programming on the Internet. However, the
bottom line is that this is about simple fairness:
the artists who bring the music to life, who attract listeners to a station, and who make it possible for radio to make money by
selling advertising deserve to be compensated when a radio station uses their music to compensate itself.
Media Products ^Top Media products have been created to honor and celebrate the legacy of The Inducted Vocal Groups. To date the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Induction Concerts have been captured and archived on audio and video, thus preserving historic performance memories for posterity and creating media products to serve the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation.
The Inductees continue to support the Foundation by contributing their performances and donating their audio and video rights at the Inductions and Concerts. The material, edited and converted into media products, help to promote awareness of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and to 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. The products are distributed world-wide for broadcast, cable, syndication, pay per view, music and video downloads on iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, Napster, Emusic and other (See Vocal Group Hall of Fame downloads at the GIFT SHOP.
Click above to
Preview all 149 recordings
DVD’s / CD’s made at Inductions are available as part of your gifts in becoming a member. DVD’s / CD’s are also available individually at the on-line GIFT SHOP, at the museum, music distribution outlets, on the Internet, and are available to touring Inducted vocal groups to merchandise at their shows.
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, The Recording Academy, 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 restablish 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.
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 all but stopped due to the lack of funding.
Recently, a “Community Work Program” with the Mercer County Correctional Facility helped remove 100 TONS of debris from the theatre. Volunteers are making gradual progress with the restoration while waiting grant funding. "Friends of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame" a community development team has begun organizing assistance for the Museum, Theatre and Foundation.
• Phase-One a grant request of an initial $2,000,000 for immediate repairs and to get the theatre and museum open in Sharon, PA.
This funding grant is 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.
• Phase-Two requests $3 Million Dollar Anchor Grant for the icon building in downtown Sharon, Pennsylvania's seating, lobby elavator, stage area and esthetics.
• Phase-Three request $3 Million Dollars to finish the renovation, connection to the museum building complex and fund the Foundations projects.
A Matching Funds Grant is on the State of Pennsylvania books. INDUCTEES have already contributed $6.7 million dollars of IN-Kind performances towards the $8 million matching funds grant. Sponsors, donors, corporate or individual contributors and other IN-KIND Services are needed to complete/secure the required matching funds. The
grant request to the City of Sharon & State of Pennsylvania are through Senator Casey's office for federal assistance.
The City of Sharon has applied for a $100,000 pass through grant from the Pennsyvania Deptment of Economic Development for blue prints and archectual drawngs for the museum and theatre to get this process started.
ALL GRANTS ARE ON HOLD CAUSING THE RENOVATION TO STOP.
Restoration work going on at the Columbia Theatre
Inside The Columbia Theatre
in the 1920's
The Columbia Theatre today.
Work finishing
the Theatre Ceiling.
Plaster cast work in
The Columbia Theatre
Plaster cast work in The Columbia Theatre.
Footprints at
The Columbia Theatre.
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 $470,000.00 in County, City and State Grants since it began operation of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in November of 2001.
• $270,000.00 From The State of Pennsylvania
• $50,000.00 From The Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau
• $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
Additionally, Board members have loaned the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in excess of $1 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 respected music treasure that it has becoming.
The Foundation may be forced to contract with an investor or partner with host locations. Up until now The Vocal Group Hall of Fame has been free from private funding interests, this has allowed the Foundation to remain pure, true to it's 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. Grants and sponsorships have dried up in today's financial crises and the Hall needs support in obtaining funding. Gift Shop, become A Member & Downloads is a way you can help.
Click above to
Preview all 149 recordings
Future Income ^Top The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s future income is subject to a few variables.
One, 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.
Two, Annexes -Torurist locations financially able to partner with the The Vocal Group Hall of Fame sharing revenue.
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, malt shop and Columbia Theatre.
Admission will be charged to the museum at $5 adult, $4 senior/veterans and $3 student prices once it can open.
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. Induction 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.VocalGroup.org web site by way of a password. Media Products, Memberships and downloads are available at the Gift Shop.
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Home Video, DVD and CD’s made from the 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004 Induction Concerts and Ceremony Highlights are in US & Canadian chain stores and music video outlets, including military bases world wide, in stores and on the internet.
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 2007.
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 post production becomes available.
Museum 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 possibly the world.
Landlord sponsors and/or financial partnerships - for profit & 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, FL, New York City, NY and Los Angeles, CA.
TWO design models that has been proposed to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation are as follows:
Memorabilia may be displayed in a "Soft Rock Cafe" type enviornment complimented with a piano bar and paid peformances by the Inductees. Hard Ticket Concerts may also be part of the annex paying inductees to perform their full shows.
A second type of annex may be considered partnering with a 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 Foundation national effort.
• The local hosting non-profit organization would be responsible for building and initially funding the museum and its start-up operations.
Either model would allow The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation to endorse the anneing partner and contribute 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.
Interested parties should contact:
Bob Crosby, President / CEO at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame
Crosby@VocalGroup.org (724)983-2025.
Obtaining Grants in this Economic Downturn is becoming more difficult.
If
Grants were provided to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame it would 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 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 the museum annexes 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.
Grants becoming more dificult to aquire makes the consideration of Public / Private Partnership a more realistic and quicker way to forward The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Inductees have already contributed 6.7 million dollars of
IN-KIND services consiting of live performances and audio and video recording rights to the Foundation in perpetuity.
Board member loans & contributions, grants, fund raises, benifit concerts, media products and public supporters that have become members have generated in excess of $1 million dollars
A GREAT WAY TO HELP is by Downloading Induction recordings or all the items at the ON-Line Gift Shop . This is the best way to assist in the effort of building a National Institution to be loved and respected by people of the world.
In conclusion, it is the Foundations hope of the State of Pennsylvania and Federal Government will recognize the contribution and value that The Vocal Group Hall of Fame brings to the State of Pennsylvania and The United States of America and will provide the required grant funding to forward this most worth while American project.
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 assist Pennsylvania in the effort as they to will benefit from the project remaining in the area.
It would be another great American tragity if the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation is unable to secured other means of financial support and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation finds that it can no longer continue to do the good work that it does because of the lack of funding and financial support.
The Foundation feels that the local 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 enjoy the economical impact as tourist begging to visit
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum in Sharon, PA.
Unfortunately due to the lack of funding from the surrounding area has caused the economic down turn and left the Vocal Group Hall of Fame at a stand still in Sharon, Pa. This is now causing the Foundation to look elsewhere for its future existence unless funding can be identified soon.
All efforts are now underway to Annex the Vocal Group Hall of Fame to locations capable of providing the financial needs of the tourist attraction and future homes of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Interested parties should contact:
Bob Crosby, President/CEO Crosby@VocalGroup.org (724) 983-2025
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.
Preview all 150 recordings
