Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame facts for kids
The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame (OBMHoF) is a special group started in 2005. Its main goal is to celebrate and remember the amazing singers and musicians who began their music journeys in Omaha, Nebraska. It especially focuses on African American music from North Omaha and honors Omaha's blues music history, from the 1920s until today.
Every two years, the OBMHoF holds ceremonies to welcome new members. These ceremonies celebrate different types of music, like classical, rhythm & blues, big band, jazz, and gospel.
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About the Hall of Fame
The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame was created in 2005 by Vaughn Chatman. He used to be a rhythm-and-blues musician from Omaha and later became a lawyer in Sacramento, California. The Hall of Fame was started to recognize Omaha's own talented musicians.
Many people believe that Omaha artists have made a big impact on the music world, just like artists from famous music cities such as Kansas City, Missouri. The contributions of musicians from Omaha might be one of the biggest untold stories in black music history. Omaha was also well-known as a place where famous African American jazz, blues, and rock stars performed, often at the Dreamland Ballroom.
Induction Ceremonies
The Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame holds its induction ceremonies every two years. These events happen at the same time as Native Omaha Days, a big celebration that brings thousands of people to the Near North Omaha neighborhood to honor the history of the African American community in Omaha. The ceremonies take place at different locations, and the number of new members inducted changes each time.
2005 Ceremony
The very first Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held on August 4, 2005. It took place at Harrah's Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is right next to Omaha. At this first event, 40 talented individuals were welcomed into the Hall of Fame.
2007 Ceremony
The 2007 induction ceremony for the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame was held at the Qwest Center in Omaha. During this event, awards were given out in different music categories, including Gospel, Civic, Sports, Blues, Classical, Jazz, and R&B.
The Hall of Fame honors people who are inspiring community leaders, amazing musicians, and talented vocalists. This includes gospel pioneers and top civic leaders who started their careers in Omaha and then moved to other cities to continue their professional music journeys. In 2007, a total of 67 people were inducted into the Hall of Fame. This included 23 who had passed away and 54 who were still living. They represented many different music genres and had strong connections to Omaha's Black music community. The categories included gospel, R&B, Jazz, Rock & Roll, and Classical music.
2011 Ceremony
The 2011 Omaha's Black Music Hall of Fame inductions took place on July 29, 2011, at the Slowdown in Omaha, Nebraska. A special moment was the historic performance by the MAN vs MAN Band, celebrating their 40-year concert reunion. Other artists who performed at the event included Maxayn, Ahnjel, Sam Singleton, and Hank Redd Jr.
The 2011 inductees into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame were: Hank Redd Jr., Jeanne Rogers, Charles "Chuck" Miller, Red Higgins, Bertha Myers, Adrienne Higgins Brown-Norman, Preston Love, Sam Singleton, Maxayn Lewis, and the MAN vs MAN Band members: Walter McKinney, Len Harris M.D., Donald Harris, Kevin Harris, Glenn Franklin, Lonzo Franklin, Melvin Hall, Leroi Brashears, & Nils Anders Erickson. The New Breed of Soul Band and Andre Davis were also inducted.
Hall of Fame Members
Inductee | Born | Died | Active from | Major Skill(s) | OBMHoF profile | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lester Abrams | 1945 | 1960s | drummer, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, producer | [1] | ||
Wali Ali | 1970s | Guitarist, singer | [2] | |||
Donnie Beck | 1951 | 1970s | Drummer, bass guitar, organ, piano, singer, composer, arranger | [3] | ||
Ron E. Beck | 1951 | 1970s | Drummer, singer, composer | [4] | ||
Larry Bell | 1941 | 2004 | 1960s | Guitar, piano, drums, saxophone | [5] | |
Percy Le'Roy Chatman | 1990 | 1950s | Singer | [6] | ||
Wesley Devereaux | 1950s | Singer | [7] | |||
Joe Leslie Edmonson | 1947 | 2002 | 1960s | Organist | [8] | |
Glenn Franklin | 1970's | Drummer, Percussionist, Vocalist | [9] [10] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | ||
Lonzo Franklin | 2009 | 1970's | Vocalist, Songwriter | [11] [12] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | |
King Richard Gardner | 1932 | 2016 | 1950s | Guitar | [13] | |
Vernon Garrett | 1960s | Singer | [14] | |||
Melvin Hall. | 1970's | Bass Guitar, Acoustic Bass, Vocalist | [15] [16] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | ||
Donald Harris. | 1970's | Tenor, Alto and Soprano Sax, Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer | [17] [18] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | ||
Kevin Harris. | 1970's | Trombone, Vocalist, Drummer, Songwriter | [19] [20] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | ||
Len Harris. | 1960s | Keyboardist, Organist, Songwriter, Producer, Recording Engineer | [21] [22] | Recording profile aka "The Duke" [23], also known for his Perfect Pitch note recognition abilities. 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | ||
Wynonie Harris, aka "Mr. Blues" | 1920 | 1969 | 1940s | Singer | [24] | |
Lloyd Hunter | 1961 | 1920s | Trumpeter, Band Leader | [25] | ||
Stemsy Hunter (Stemziel Hunter) | 1960s | Saxophone | [26] | |||
Sylvester (Syl) Johnson (deceased) | 1948 | 1970s | Singer | [27] | ||
Helen Jones Woods | 1925 | 1940s | Trombone | [28] | ||
Calvin Keys | 1942 | 1960s | jazz guitarist | [29] | ||
Michael Andre Lewis | 1960s | Singer, keyboards, synthesizers, band leader, composer, producer | [30] | |||
Merle Lewis | 1970s | Singer | [31] | |||
Victor Lewis | 1950 | 1960s | Drummer | [32] | ||
Preston Love | 1921 | 2004 | 1940s | Alto sax, Band Leader | [33] | |
Arno Lucas | 1970s | Singer, songwriter | [34] | |||
Eugene "Booker" McDaniels | 1950s | Songwriter, producer | [35] | |||
Walter McKinney | 1960's | Guitarist, Songwriter, Vocalist, Studio Musician | [36] [37] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF; Performed and recorded with many artists including Rose Royce | ||
Lois “Lady Mac” McMorris | 1970s | Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, upright bass, electric bass, keyboards, drum programmer, arranger, vocalist, composer | [38] | |||
Ernest "Curly" Martin | 1960s | Drummer/percussionist | [39] | |||
Buddy Miles (George Miles) | 1945 | 2008 | 1960s | Drums, vocals, band leader | [40] | |
Professor Charles Miller | 1970s | Trumpeter, conductor | [41] | |||
Ruth Norman | 1950s | Composer, pianist | [42] | |||
Mason Prince | 1950s | Trumpet | [43] | |||
Billy Rich | 1950s | Electric Bass Guitar | [44] | |||
Carolyn Rich | 1960s | Vocalist | [45] | |||
Herbie Rich | 2004 | 1950s | Keyboards, saxophone, singer | [46] | ||
Billy Rogers | 1950 | 1987 | 1970s | Guitarist | [47] | |
Carol Jean Rogers | 1954 | 1970s | Singer | [48] | ||
Jeanne Rogers | 1934 | 1960s | Pianist, singer | [49] | ||
Keith Rogers | 1954 | 1980s | Producer | [50] | ||
Sam Singleton. | 1943 | 1960s | Promoter, Producer, Vocalist | [51] | 2011 Inductee OBMHoF | |
Leslie Orlando Smith | 1949 | 1970s | Singer | [52] | ||
Steppen Stonz | 1972 | 1970s | Three vocalists supported by two musicians (drums and keyboards) | [53] | ||
Luigi Waites | 1950s | percussionist | [54] | |||
Lalomie (Lomie) Washburn | 2004 | 1960s | Singer, songwriter | [55] | ||
Richetta (Lewis) Wilson | 1950s | Singer | [56] |
During one ceremony, the group Steppen Stonz also received a special "Showcase Legend Award."
See also
- Culture of North Omaha, Nebraska
- Music of Omaha
- List of music museums