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]

Contents

[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

[edit] Notes and References

  1. ^ (2005) "Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame." The Blues Society of Omaha. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
  2. ^ (2005) About the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
  3. ^ (2005) "A Rich Music History Long Untold." The Omaha Reader. 3 Sept 2005.
  4. ^ OBMHoF 2005 Inductees web page.
  5. ^ Official Lester Abrams web site. Bring it on.
  6. ^ Official Wali Ali web site. Not accessible 1 July 2007.
  7. ^ a b c d e Jeanne Rogers is mother of twins Carol and Keith Rogers, and twins Donnie and Ron E. Beck.
  8. ^ Official Ron E. Beck web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  9. ^ Larry Bell also had a degree in Tailoring and designed many of his bands' costumes.
  10. ^ Percy Chatman, also known as "Mr. Omaha", was the brother of Vaughn Chatman who formed the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
  11. ^ Wesley Devereaux is the son of Wynonie Harris
  12. ^ "Lil" Joe Edmonson was known for his philanthropic accomplishments with his youth foundation.
  13. ^ Richard Gardner owned four barbershops in Omaha for 46 years. They were well known as a meeting place for aspiring musicians.
  14. ^ For a period, Merle Lewis used the stage name "Dianna St. Clair"
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ (nd) "Curly" Martin receives award. JazzPolice.com. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  17. ^ Official Buddy Miles web site.
  18. ^ Professor Miller also has a distinguished career as an educator, academic and author.
  19. ^ a b c Billy, Carolyn and Herbie Rich are siblings.
  20. ^ Official Billy Rich web site. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  21. ^ Official Steppen Stonz web site. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  22. ^ (2005) Awards Steppen Stonz website. Retrieved 20 May 2007.
  23. ^ Qwest Center Omaha.
  24. ^ OBMHoF 2007 Inductees web page.
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