Families dominate class at the Vocal Group Hall

The Lennon Sisters drove from a show in Branson, Mo., a 15-hour trip.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The induction of the fourth class into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum Thursday was something of a family affair.
There were The Lennon Sisters, The McGuire Sisters and The Bee Gees, all being recognized for their contributions to vocal group harmony.
There were other groups that boasted multiple family members: The Four Freshmen, Gladys Knight & amp; The Pips and Smokey Robinson & amp; the Miracles.
The afternoon ceremony drew more than 100 visitors to the third floor of the Pop Music Building at 98 E. State St. and it was marked with everything from humor to tearful emotion as members of well-known vocal groups, many from previous eras, crossed the stage to accept their Harmmy statuettes, the Vocal Hall's equivalent of the Grammy.
How winners reacted: There was Merald "Bubba" Knight, one of the original Pips behind his sister, Gladys Knight, accepting on behalf of the group, explaining, "Because of a slowing economy, I did have to lay off two Pips and one Gladys Knight."
Knight, declaring he was going to celebrate the honor "his way," then delighted the crowd by raising both arms in victory and spinning around while shouting with glee.
"It's quite an honor to be recognized. I actually am quite overwhelmed," said Claudette (Rodgers) Robinson as she fought back tears while accepting her Harmmy.
She sang with her husband, Smokey, as one of the Miracles, touring from 1957 until 1965 and continued studio work for a number of years after that.
She wasn't the only one trying hard to control her emotions.
"We're deeply affected by it," said Dave Mahoney, one of the original members of The Four Aces, admitting later that he had nearly cried during the ceremony.
"It's a wonderful thing. I hope and pray we come back next year," he said.
Reunion time: Mahoney said he was particularly pleased to see the members of The Chordettes, who were also being inducted.
The Four Aces toured with them decades ago and Mahoney said he filled in as their musical conductor when their own conductor got sick on the tour.
"To see them again is an absolute thrill," he said.
Mahoney also praised the Vocal Hall.
"It's wonderful for the community. It can grow and grow," he said.
The Lettermen singing trio doesn't have any brothers in the group anymore, but Thursday was like a family reunion anyway.
There have been nine members of the group since it was formed in 1959, and Tony Butala, formerly of Sharon and one of the founders of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum as well as a member and owner of the singing group, was busy introducing eight of the nine members who have been part of the group over the years.
There was even an impromptu concert by what might best be called The Lettermen Chorus in front of The Lettermen display before the start of the ceremony as Butala led Donovan Scott Tea, Darren Dowler, brothers Gary, Donny and Jim Pike and Mark Preston in a rendition of "I Believe."
Tea and Dowler are the other two current members of the group.
Not everyone could make it to the ceremony. The Bee Gees, The Oak Ridge Boys, the McGuire Sisters, The Weavers and The Eagles weren't there, but some did send video acceptances.
Long drive: Three members of The Lennon Sisters spent 15 hours in a car to get to the ceremony, leaving Branson, Mo., immediately after their second show Wednesday night.
It was 853 miles, said Janet Lennon, noting that they stopped briefly at a motel near Akron to put on some makeup.
"We're so excited to be here," she said.
"We've never seen this place -- that's why we had to come," added sister Kathy, noting the sisters have been making music together for 46 years.
Sisters Dianne and Peggy have retired, but Janet and Kathy were accompanied by sister Mimi, who has been with the group full time for the past three years.
The other two groups inducted as members of the class of 2001 were The Vogues and The Pied Pipers.
Two barbershop groups were given Harmmys as the first groups to be honored at the Vocal Hall's Barbershop Building, which opened in August.
The statuettes went to the men's group Michigan Jake and the women's group Acappella Gold.