Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame
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The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame, or the OBMHoF, is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 to celebrate, document and honour the legacy of the many top vocalists and musicians whose musical careers began in the metropolitan area of Omaha, Nebraska.[1] It has a particular focus on African American music from North Omaha, and is committed to acknowledging Omaha's blues tradition from the 1920s to the present day. The OBMHoF holds induction ceremonies every two years that highlight, but are not limited to, classical, rhythm & blues, big band, jazz and gospel music.[2]
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[edit] About
Vaughn Chatman, a former Omaha rhythm and blues player and attorney in Sacramento, California, formed the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2005. According to one local newspaper, while the fact that many popular African American jazz, blues and rock greats came through North Omaha's popular venues, including the Dreamland Ballroom, the Hall of Fame was formed to acknowledge Omaha's own musical talents. "Enough Omaha artists have impacted the industry to rival the legacy from historical music hotbeds like Kansas City, Mo. The contributions of these Omaha-bred-and-born may add up to one of black music’s largest untold stories."[3]
[edit] 2005 Awards
The first inductions to the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame were in 2005. The induction ceremony was held on 4 August 2005 at Harrah's Casino in neighboring Council Bluffs, Iowa. There were 40 inductees:[4]
| Inductee | Born | Died | Active from | Major Skill(s) | OBMHoF profile | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester Abrams | 1945 | 1960s | drummer, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer | [1] | [5] | |
| Wali Ali | 1970s | Guitarist, singer | [2] | [6] | ||
| Donnie Beck | 1951 | 1970s | Drummer, bass guitar, organ, piano, singer, composer, arranger | [3] | [7] | |
| Ron E. Beck | 1951 | 1970s | Drummer, singer, composer | [4] | [7][8] | |
| Larry Bell | 1941 | 2004 | 1960s | Guitar, piano, drums, saxophone | [5] | [9] |
| Percy Le'Roy Chatman | 1990 | 1950s | Singer | [6] | [10] | |
| Wesley Devereaux | 1950s | Singer | [7] | [11] | ||
| Joe Leslie Edmonson | 1947 | 2002 | 1960s | Organist | [8] | [12] |
| King Richard Gardner | 1932 | 1950s | Guitar | [9] | [13] | |
| Vernon Garrett | 1960s | Singer | [10] | |||
| Wynonie Harris, aka "Mr. Blues" | 1920 | 1969 | 1940s | Singer | [11] | |
| Lloyd Hunter | 1961 | 1920s | Trumpeter, Band Leader | [12] | ||
| Stemsy Hunter (Stemziel Hunter) | 1960s | Saxophone | [13] | |||
| Sylvester (Syl) Johnson (deceased) | 1948 | 1970s | Singer | [14] | ||
| Helen Jones Woods | 1925 | 1940s | Trombone | [15] | ||
| Calvin Keys | 1942 | 1960s | jazz guitarist | [16] | ||
| Michael Andre Lewis | 1960s | Singer, keyboards, synthesizers, band leader, composer, producer | [17] | |||
| Merle Lewis | 1970s | Singer | [18] | [14] | ||
| Victor Lewis | 1950 | 1960s | Drummer | [19] | ||
| Preston Love | 1921 | 2004 | 1940s | Alto sax, Band Leader | [20] | |
| Arno Lucas | 1970s | Singer, songwriter | [21] | |||
| Eugene "Booker" McDaniels | 1950s | Songwriter, producer | [22] | |||
| Lois “Lady Mac” McMorris | 1970s | Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, upright bass, electric bass, keyboards, drum programmer, arranger, vocalist, composer | [23] | [15] | ||
| Ernest "Curly" Martin | 1960s | Drummer/percussionist | [24] | [16] | ||
| Buddy Miles (George Miles) | 1945 | 1960s | Drums, vocals, band leader | [25] | [17] | |
| Professor Charles Miller | 1970s | Trumpeter, conductor | [26] | [18] | ||
| Ruth Norman | 1950s | Composer, pianist | [27] | |||
| Mason Prince | 1950s | Trumpet | [28] | |||
| Billy Rich | 1950s | Electric Bass Guitar | [29] | [19][20] | ||
| Carolyn Rich | 1960s | Vocalist | [30] | [19] | ||
| Herbie Rich | 2004 | 1950s | Keyboards, saxophone, singer | [31] | [19] | |
| Billy Rogers | 1950 | 1987 | 1970s | Guitarist | [32] | |
| Carol Jean Rogers | 1954 | 1970s | Singer | [33] | [7] | |
| Jeanne Rogers | 1934 | 1960s | Pianist, singer | [34] | [7] | |
| Keith Rogers | 1954 | 1980s | Producer | [35] | [7] | |
| Leslie Orlando Smith | 1949 | 1970s | Singer | [36] | ||
| Steppen Stonz | 1972 | 1970s | Three vocalists supported by two musicians (drums and keyboards) | [37] | [21] | |
| Luigi Waites | 1950s | percussionist | [38] | |||
| Lalomie (Lomie) Washburn | 2004 | 1960s | Singer, songwriter | [39] | ||
| Richetta (Lewis) Wilson | 1950s | Singer | [40] |
During the ceremony the Steppen Stonz were also awarded a "Showcase Legend Award".[22]
[edit] 2007 Awards
The 2007 Omaha Black Music Hall Of Fame inductions ceremonies will be held on 2-3 August 2007 at Qwest Center, Omaha.[23] The Gospel/Civic/Sports Awards Ceremony will be held on Thursday August 2, 2007. The Blues/Classical/Jazz/R&B Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday August 3, 2007.
"The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame inductees are inspirational community leaders, exceptional musicians and vocialists, including gospel pioneers who left their mark on the civic and music scene. This includes top civic leaders, musicians and vocalists who started in Omaha and moved on to other cities to pursue professional and music careers."[24]
[edit] 2007 Gospel and Inspirational Inductees
Under construction. In the meantime, please refer to: http://www.omahablackmusic.com/inductees_gospel.html
[edit] 2007 R&B, Jazz, Rock & Roll and Classical Inductees
Under construction. In the meantime, please refer to: http://www.omahablackmusic.com/inductees_CONTRIB.html
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame website.
[edit] Notes and References
- ^ (2005) "Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame." The Blues Society of Omaha. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
- ^ (2005) About the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
- ^ (2005) "A Rich Music History Long Untold." The Omaha Reader. 3 Sept 2005.
- ^ OBMHoF 2005 Inductees web page.
- ^ Official Lester Abrams web site. Bring it on.
- ^ Official Wali Ali web site. Not accessible 1 July 2007.
- ^ a b c d e Jeanne Rogers is mother of twins Carol and Keith Rogers, and twins Donnie and Ron E. Beck.
- ^ Official Ron E. Beck web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
- ^ Larry Bell also had a degree in Tailoring and designed many of his bands' costumes.
- ^ Percy Chatman, also known as "Mr. Omaha", was the brother of Vaughn Chatman who formed the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
- ^ Wesley Devereaux is the son of Wynonie Harris
- ^ "Lil" Joe Edmonson was known for his philanthropic accomplishments with his youth foundation.
- ^ Richard Gardner owned four barbershops in Omaha for 46 years. They were well known as a meeting place for aspiring musicians.
- ^ For a period, Merle Lewis used the stage name "Dianna St. Clair"
- ^ "Lady Mac" is also an award-winning painter & sculptor, a graphic artist/designer, a poetess and author, clairvoyant, a natural healer, and an ordained minister.
- ^ (nd) "Curly" Martin receives award. JazzPolice.com. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- ^ Official Buddy Miles web site.
- ^ Professor Miller also has a distinguished career as an educator, academic and author.
- ^ a b c Billy, Carolyn and Herbie Rich are siblings.
- ^ Official Billy Rich web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
- ^ Official Steppen Stonz web site. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- ^ (2005) Awards Steppen Stonz website. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
- ^ Qwest Center Omaha.
- ^ OBMHoF 2007 Inductees web page.
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