SHARON Inductees to sing at vocal hall

New members will cast their footprints in cement this year.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- Two dozen groups have signed on to participate in the 2003 Vocal Group Hall of Fame induction concert at Cafaro Field in Niles in September.
All of them are past or new inductees into the Hall of Fame and there are a half-dozen others who are trying to arrange their schedules to participate as well, said Bob Crosby, president and chief executive officer.
The demand to participate is so great that the concert will actually be done over two nights -- Sept. 17 and 18. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the shows begin at 7 p.m.
"It's rare for them to perform on this [larger] size stage and production," Crosby said, explaining why the groups want to participate in the show.
There are other factors, too.
"It's a real camaraderie/family reunion they seem to have grown very fond of," Crosby said, adding that the groups really recognize what the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum is trying to establish in getting their music recognized.
"They're going to support that," he said.
A logistical nightmare
Some are coming from as far away as England to participate, he said, noting that the logistics of trying to arrange the schedules so that many performers can all be in one place at the same time can be a nightmare.
Some of the groups will leave their tours to come here, then must be delivered to the next stop on their tour, he said.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum, a nonprofit foundation, is dedicated to recognizing and honoring vocal harmony and has inducted 64 groups since it opened in 1998.
It will induct 13 more in a ceremony at the hall at 98 E. State St. at 3 p.m. Sept. 16. The ceremony is by invitation only.
That day will also mark a new addition to the induction with the launching of the "Footprints of Fame" in the sidewalk in front of the Columbia Theatre at 82 W. State St. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum secured ownership of the theater last year and is working to reopen it as a performing arts facility.
Inductees will be putting their footprints in fresh cement in the walk, Crosby said.
Reyers, a well-known Sharon shoe store, is donating shoes for the event.
The artists coming in for the induction concert will also participate in a "Music & amp; Education Student Seminar" at Cafaro Field from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17.
Crosby said schools throughout the area have been sent applications inviting junior and senior high school students to participate.
There will also be a tent set up on both show nights where people can meet and get autographs from favorite stars, he said.
Other projects
The hall is working on a variety of other projects designed to draw national support and visitors.
A CD and DVD live event recording of last year's induction concert will be released at this year's show.
Work has also begun on the creation of annual CD releases featuring original recordings of hit songs by each of the groups inducted for that year. There will be six in the first set, selling for $60, Crosby said.
Clear Channel Radio will begin running induction concert performances on a national scale in November and work is being finalized for the first tour of hall inductees this winter and next spring, something the artists have been insisting happen, Crosby said.
It will play in venues seating between 3,000 and 10,000, he said, adding that proposed dates have already been set in Erie; Uncasville, Conn.; Murray, Ky; St. Louis; Chicago; and Palm Springs, Calif.
Crosby said he also is working on a weekly syndicated two-hour radio show, where each inducted group will do one show featuring interviews and cuts from their music.
Tickets for the induction concert each night are $28 for upper level general admission, $38 for lower level general admission, and $53 for a table seat on the field.
They can be purchased on line at www.vghf.org or at the hall. The shows will go on, rain or shine. There will be fireworks after both shows.