Monday, June 2, 2003
This year's induction ceremony will feature two nighttime concerts at Cafaro Field in Niles.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- If you liked the vocal stylings of The Association or were into The Isely Brothers, then you might want to arrange to show up for the induction of the Class of 2003 at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame on Sept. 16.
Those are just two of the 13 vocal groups selected for induction this year, the nonprofit organization's sixth anniversary.
Tony Butala, Sharon native and founder and chairman of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, announced the latest group of inductees in a press conference Friday at the hall.
The hall doesn't know yet how many of the inductees will be here for the ceremony, he said.
The ceremony will be followed by two induction concerts at Cafaro Field in Niles on Sept. 17 and 18, he said.
Last year's show at Cafaro featured 16 acts and ran about five hours.
The overwhelming interest of the vocal groups themselves has prompted a plan to hold two concerts because there are just too many acts to showcase in one night, Butala said.
The concerts will feature members of this year's class as well as previous inductees, he said.
Gaining recognition
Butala, who was inducted into the hall with his group, The Lettermen, in 2001, said he thinks the hall is now beginning to get national attention and could really "explode" in the next year or so.
There's a buzz in the industry, and vocal groups are really excited about the recognition of their work, he said, adding that the buzz is spreading.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame & amp; Museum is becoming a kind of "clubhouse" for inducted groups who want to stop here while on tour, and it's filled with treasures, Butala said, referring to the large amount of memorabilia from dozens of groups showcased here.
There are plans to develop both music and television appearance archives of all inducted groups, making the hall a repository for their work, he said.
The big difference between the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and other musical halls of fame is that this one doesn't limit itself to one genre of music but encompasses all forms of music in which vocal groups perform, he said.
The inductee announcement is being followed by two nights of announcement parties at the hall at 98 E. State St.
The first was Friday night featuring The Great Pretenders and the second is tonight, featuring the music of Brass Taxi.
Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10.