Induction Voting Process  ^Top 

Inductions is the heart of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The Induction voting process takes place each year
but on occasion has been forced to combine the Induction of a few years due to funding limitations. The Harmony Award or “Harmy” as it is respectfully referred to by the Inducted Vocal Groups, is presented to each new class of Inductees at a Ceremony.  Unlike the RESPECTED Grammy, Tony, Country and American Music Awards - just to mention a few - that focus on the recordings created in the current year, first by popularity, then based on the quality of an artist’s endeavors that year, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Harmony Award is different only in the sense that it is in essence a “Lifetime Achievement Award” and not determined on a given years achievement.

Inductees, musicologists, industry professionals, record collectors, music enthusiasts, and web site visitors make suggestions of new vocal group candidates to be added to the list of potential Inductees known as the “Qualifiers List”.  These candidates are considered by the Induction Committee members who determine their eligibility by comparing their status of vocal group contribution in the industry to the criteria established in the bylaws of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. Only then, will they be granted a place formally joining the list of Nominees on the Official Ballot.

The criteria to be placed on the ballot are as follows:

• Vocal Groups must have at least a ten (10) year history in the music industry as of
  a new 2010 Induction policy.
  
  
• Vocal Groups must have had a hit record or significant vocal group musical contribution.
  
  
• Vocal Groups must have a minimum of three-part harmony and two-part harmony for duos.

 The ballot is circulated and tallied as follows:

• Induction Committee/Musicologist votes represent 35% of the total weighted vote.
  
  
• Original members, Recording members, Current members and Current Manager/Agent of
  the authorized authentic group votes represent 40% of the total weighted vote.
  
  
• Record Collectors, Music Enthusiast & general public may vote at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame web site and represent 25% weight of the total vote beginning with the Class of 2008.

Only after a vocal group or duo reaches eligible status and the Induction Committee finds the vocal group deserving of the “Harmy”/ Life Time Achievement Award, is the group nominated to the ballot. The group might find that they may remain on the ballot until such time as they are voted in as an inducted vocal group, though they may not be voted as an Inductee in the given year nominated.

This means the nominated group may remain on the ballot and be listed with all other nominated groups until formally voted in as an Inducted Vocal Group. The election of vocal groups per year by policy vote of Inductees has been reduced to one inducted vocal group per category.

Once a vocal group is inducted and receives their “Lifetime Achievement Award” they are removed from the ballot, take their place among other Inducted Vocal Groups and their position on the “Ballot” will then be filled with new nominees selected annually beginning 2010 from the “Qualifiers List” established by the Induction Committee.

The Induction Committee also selects the vocal group “Pioneer Awards”, “Un-Sung Harmony Awards” and any “Specialty Awards” or accolades that may be determined by the Induction Committee and Members of the Board of Directors in the given year . See Current List of Inductees

Annual Inductions  ^Top

Inductions are the true heart of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Inductees take ownership in their Foundation upon being inducted. The Inducted Vocal Groups are the greatest asset of the Foundation as their support is everything.

Thus far, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s annual Induction, concerts and related events have not been funded properly making it difficult to stage Inductions annually.  Even though the annual fundraising effort has yet to become self-sustaining or financially rewarding, the future will prove that Inductions will become the greatest fundraising event of the year.

The Induction Ceremony, so far, has been a semi-formal private affair, by invitation only, intended to be produced annually, but has been occasionally delayed do to limited funding. Past Inductees enjoy the privilege of hosting The Induction Ceremony, where they introduce and present the new Inductees “Harmy” awards in a concert award-show format.

Reception Dinner

Many activities take place during the week of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductions. 
A celebrity golf tournament is intended to kick off future inductions with a reception dinner following as Inductees begin to arrive for the events leading up to the Induction Ceremony. The Inductions themselves, which, of course, is the main focus of the yearly activities are the highlight of the activities. The Induction Ceremony is followed by concerts where past and present Inductees perform in celebration of their Induction.

Induction events also create revenue for the Foundation from admissions to the events and from media products created from the recordings. The Induction week is a great opportunity for corporate America to support the Foundation through corporate sponsorships of the golf tournament, reception dinner, harmony workshops, concerts and audio and video recordings, which make up the media products, distributed Internationally by the Foundation.

Students from the local school systems are invited to participate in musical seminars conducted by the
Inductees of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In the future, it is our intention to be able to provide small grants, scholarships and scholastic credit for music, dance, band or civics, depending on funding provided by the Foundation or its corporate sponsors giving back to the community by assisting the young that will create
the future for vocal groups.

The Inductees are enthusiastic about participating in Inductions and being available for the press. Radio, television and newspaper interviews conducted by media personalities at the Induction Ceremony, Concerts
and festivities are important to the Artists and the promotion of their Hall of Fame.

It is also an opportunity for sponsors, Inductees and the public to participate together in supporting the fundraising efforts of the Foundation. The week extends the opportunity for the many vocal groups to be together at one time, in one place, to mingle and to become acquainted again with their counterparts in the music world and also with their many fans. At any given moment during the course of the festivities of
Induction week, members of many different vocal groups will congregate and will spontaniousely harmonize together at dinner tables, hallways or in the corners of a room consumed in camaraderie at what becomes a vocal group “Family Reunion”. This week also provides all of the Inductees, past and present, an opportunity to assemble together and share their common heritage as makers of America’s and the world’s music.

Ceremony   ^Top

The Induction Ceremony is designed to give respect and acknowledgement to the new Inductees for their contribution to vocal group harmony. They are presented their “Harmy” in an award show formatted affair filled with emotional accolades and speeches from their peers, followed by their own acceptance speeches and historical performances. This “Lifetime Achievement Award” is given to original members of vocal groups that have made an impact on society through any type of recordings, television, radio, motion pictures – and in the future to include newer media like music videos and Internet downloads.

The Induction Concert is a time of celebration. Last years Induction was represented by 43 groups
committing their services. Each year performing groups, approximately 150 to 300 artists, attend and participate. The event is professionally staged with state of the art production and is captured on digital
video with a professional multi-camera broadcast video control truck and recorded on high quality 48 track
digital audio.  Some of the groups may not be currently performing or may have lost members. Many of
these groups often join together to lend support and participate in performing each other’s hit songs.
These collaborations of members of Inducted groups create truly amazing history-making performances.
See www.vocalgroup.org/concert.htm

Funds are currently needed to edit and mix audio & video recordings made at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame's
10th Anniversary Inductions.

The Inductees have created a tradition of placing their hand and footprints in concrete during Induction week. During the 2003 Induction Ceremony in Sharon, PA Inducted Artists demonstrated their commitment, endorsement and desire to perform fundraising concerts in the Columbia Theater by immortalizing their prints
in front of the Columbia Theater. The tradition will continue as Hand and foot prints of Inductees will be created at other museum and clubhouse locations around the country in the future.
           
All of the activities of the Inductions and concerts are recorded for historic archive purposes, and are the
source of the Foundation’s future media products and presentations.

Inductee Performance at
Past Induction Concerts 2001-2007

The 2002 & 2003 Induction Concerts were recorded live at Cafaro Field,
A Cleveland Indians Minor League Baseball Stadium in Niles, Ohio.


The Temptations 
   
2002 Inductions Sept 17 Concert                   
The Temptations, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Lettermen, The 5th Dimension, Harold Jackson’s Ink Spots,
The Chantels, Original Jay and The Americans, The Shirelles
The Dixie Hummingbirds, Terry Johnson's Flamingos, The Clovers, The Marcels
Sonny Til’s, Legendary Oriole, Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters, Charlie Thomas of The Drifters,
Herb Reed of The Platters, Carl Gardner and the Coasters
 Frankie Lymon’s, Legendary Teenagers, The Modernaires,



  
2003 Inductions Sept 17 & 18 Concert

             Kenny Vance with all of the Original Members of Jay & The Americans
performing for the first time in thirty years.

       
The Manhattan Transfer, Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Association, The Impressions, The Lettermen, The 5th Dimension,
Harold Jackson’s Ink Spots, The Chantels, Original Jay and The Americans, 
The Four Lads, The Skyliners, The Clovers, Martha & The Vandellas,
Sonny Til’s, Legendary Oriole, Danny & The Juniors, The Marcels
Charlie Thomas of The Drifters, Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters Sonny Turner of The Platters
Carl Gardner and the Coasters, Frankie Lymon’s, Legendary Teenagers
       The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Harptones, The Pied Pipers


2004 Induction July 6 & 7 Concert Finale
               
                    
The O’Jays, Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wilson of The Supremes,
The Association, The Impressions, The Lettermen, The Skyliners,
  Russell Thompkins Jr. Stylistics, JT Carter of the Crests, The Diamonds,
Jay Trainer of Jay & The Americans, The Lettermen, Danny and The Juniors,
The Tokens, The Jordanaires, Jimmy Merchant of the Teenagers, Harold Jackson's, Ink Spots,
Carl Gardner of the Coasters, Bill Pinkney of the Original Drifters, Charlie Thomas of the Drifters,
Herb Reed of the Platters, Sonny Turner of The Platters, Earl Speedo of the Cadillacs,
The Chantels, Dixie Hummingbirds, The Clovers, The Modernaires, The Clovers,
       Nedra Talley Ross/ Ronettes, Sonny Til’s, Legendary Orioles, Terry Johnson of the Flamingos,
Florence LaRue of the 5Th Dimension, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys

                                                                                                                                                               
    The 2004 Induction Finale - Wildwood New Jersey
Sample of Performances at Past Induction Concerts
www.vocalgroup.org/2004promo.html      

Restoration work going on at the Columbia Theatre

During the 2003 Induction Ceremony artists demonstrated their commitment and endorsement
and desire to perform fundraising concerts in the Columbia Theater when it opens by
memorializing their foot prints. Inductees have started a tradition of placing hand and
footprints in concrete in front of the Columbia Theatre in a public ceremony.

Current Income To Date                                                                                       

The Columbia Theatre Inc., a non-profit organization - started by Tony Butala in 1986- over the years,
has received $187,000.00 in grants and donations from community contributors and from the State of Pennsylvania. The funding became available after Tony saved the theater from demolition by purchasing it at an auction. As the funding ran out, the board changed and somehow Tony was left off the board as it evolved.
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation purchased the theater from Columbia Theatre Inc. in 2002.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has received $470,000.00 in Grant funding since the
non-profit began operation of the Hall of Fame in November of 2001. 

• $220,000.00 From The State of Pennsylvania for Inductions and marketing.
• $50,000 From The Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau marketing.
• $200,000.00 From The State of New Jersey for the 2004 Inductions.
• $100,000.00 From The State of Pennsylvania for the 2003 & 2004 Inductions Post Production.    

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has earned and recieved the following additional funding.

• $34,500.00 From Video Distributors.
• $50,000.00 From Public Television broadcasts.
• $168,000.00 From Induction Events.
• $146,185.00 From Private Donations and Loans.
• $230,000.00 From Tours, Special Events, Merchandise and Other Misc. Income.

Friends, Board members, staff and consultants have contributed or loaned the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation in excess of one million dollars. Loans remain on the books as a soft liability.

However, fundraising is very much needed to continue the Foundation overhead and for support of the museum, annual Induction concerts, special events and the many projects needed to continue to keep the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation the internationally known music treasure that it has come to be. 

The Foundation is now considering contracting with an investor or financial partner, even though, up until now The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has been free from private funding interests. This, in the past, has allowed the Foundation to remain true to its heart and mission and not be influenced by a financial partner’s profit motives. Also, this has allowed for less payback and debt services giving it a better chance for financial stability. 


Future Income  ^Top

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s future income is subject to a few variables, one of which is the amount of contribution by the State of Pennsylvania and the Federal Government for restoration of the historic Columbia Theatre, an asset owned by the Foundation.

Other types of generated income are grants and support funding for the annual Inductions, concert tours, special events, and the many projects of the Hall of Fame. Other such programs that can create revenue and help promote the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museums and Clubhouse locations are the production and distribution of media products, the tour, historic documentary series and the radio program and the radio network.

There is a great need for money for basic staff and overhead.  Revenue will become available as memorabilia is displayed at other Museums. Income is generated for the Foundation from the lease of memorabilia and the percentage earned by the Foundation for booking the piano bar and concert series associated with the museums and clubhouses.

Foundation Duties, Goals & Objectives  ^Top

Artists Financial Assistance & Royalties  ^Top

Some of the current projects of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation include sponsoring the         
“Truth In Music Bill”, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has joined with MusicFirst Coalition
and other music industry organizations to revise and retrieve royalties due artists for radio broadcasts.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has future plans to provide a health care program and to build a retirement home with an assisted living care wing for the vocal group members who are in financial need. 

Eventually, Inductees participating in the media products will receive royalties once the Foundation has
stabilized its financial existence and institution.

During the better part of the past decade, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has established itself as a viable communication link between vocal groups of the past and the present with the press, industry and the
general public.

Many of the older, historic vocal groups, since they may not have been recently active in the entertainment industry, do not receive ample exposure on television, radio, newspapers, or in show business or trade magazines. The music industry as well as the press and media are recognizing The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation as a reliable information source on vocal groups. On many occasions in the past several years, The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has been contacted when a member of a classic vocal group has become very ill or has passed away.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation through its numerous contacts in the industry, press and media, the web site and newsletter has been able to spread this news to thousands of fans and friends of the group member enabling communication with that member or family, offering respectful get well encouragement or in the case of death, support and condolences to the family.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation receives hundreds of telephone calls, letters and E-mails from vocal groups or their fans with information regarding activities of that vocal group.  The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation posts the pertinent information on its web site providing a forum for vocal groups who may not otherwise have the luxury of a publicist or web site.  

 Education And Information  ^Top

Education Workshops and programs are being developed.

• The 2003 Inductions featured a Harmony Workshop held backstage at a Cleveland Indians minor league baseball stadium, Cafaro Field in Niles, Ohio.

• Nine schools and 50 plus Inductees participated in a very successful workshop, educating and enlightening a new generation to the techniques and value of vocal harmony.

• On-line workshops will feature music history lesson plans and other teacher resources.

• The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum has hosted many school tours where students participate in a musical scavenger hunt furthering their education on vocal groups and the history of vocal group music.
  
  Workshops  ^Top
  
  2003 – Original, legendary, Vocal Group members gave on camera, detailed insight and stories of the origin and history of their groups and valuable industry advice.
  
  2003 – Music Education Workshops - school students attended by nine school districts.

  Harmony Workshops  ^Top
  Education Workshops and programs are being developed.
  
  • The 2003 Inductions featured a Harmony Workshop held backstage at Cafaro Field. Nine schools districts and 50 plus Inductees participated in a very successful workshop educating and enlightening a new generation of the technique and value of vocal harmony.
  
  • An on-line workshop will feature music history lesson plans and other teacher resources.

  • The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum has hosted many school tours where students participated in a musical scavenger hunt furthering their education on vocal groups and the history of vocal group music. 

  2003 - Inductions concluded with a Pennsylvania Senate Hearing organized by State Senator Bob Robbins, Bob Crosby VGHF President / CEO and Mary Wilson of
  The Supremes, Chair for the Artist Advisory Board.
  
  Inductees testified of the abuse they experience in the form of Identity Theft and of
  the Consumers mislead to believe they are seeing and hearing the legendary artist when they in fact are not. The testimony lead to the forming of the Truth In Music Committee headed by Jon (Bowzer) Bauman, Chair of The Truth In Music Committee who, with the help of many, has successfully passed the Truth In Music Bill in 33 states.
  
  All of the above activities were professionally recorded for historical archive purposes, and are included in the Foundation’s media products and presentations.
• 
  
  Click above to Preview all 149 recordings
  
  

Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum Complex  ^Top

THE ORIGINAL MUSEUM

The Original Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum displayed memorabilia of Inducted Vocal Groups and also displayed memorabilia of vocal groups who have had a hit record and/or had made a significant contribution to the world of vocal group music. The greatest vocal groups of the world have either donated or loaned their personal memorabilia and artifacts to the Foundation for display in the museum. Each year additional vocal groups are selected by vote and added to the growing list of Inductees in the Hall of Fame.

The Museum featured over one hundred exhibits of vocal group memorabilia in a grand three-story, 28,000 square foot museum building and the amount of memorabilia continues to grow with each year of Inductions.
As new groups are inducted, the collection of memorabilia grows, and so the need for more museum/clubhouse space is required. SEE VIRUAL MUSEUM TOUR

The Foundation has temporarily moved the Inductee’s memorabilia to a clean storage space for safekeeping to later be displayed at the new museum clubhouse building, purchased by the Foundation next to the Columbia Theatre. When financing for renovation of the Sharon, PA attraction becomes available the museum clubhouse will re-open.

Plans for the theater / museum/ clubhouse complex in Sharon, PA have been put on hold indefinitely until financing for the local headquarters is made available. The Foundation has put the museum building, restaurant and bar up for sale out of necessity to assist the Foundation with its debt service. The proper financing could reverse this process and allow for renovation to continue the project in Pennsylvania while continuing its quest for existence in other strategic tourist destinations.

The Foundation has met the matching fund requirement necessary to qualify the Foundation for the $8 million dollar grant allocated by the State of Pennsylvania for the Columbia Theatre. It was reached by tabulating the in-kind services from the artists, Board members and supporters of the project. However, the State of Pennsylvania is not able to make the funds available at this time due to the Pennsylvania state budget deficit of approximately $3.8 Billion dollars.

SEE: Virtual Tour of The Museum and memorabilia displays. www.vocalgroup.org/musuem.htm

Take A Virtual Tour of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum!



Click on Image wait while virtual tour file loads.

THE MUSEUM

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation proposes that with grant and sponsor funding from selected host cities, through support from their county convention and visitors bureau, state economic and development funds, along with the possible federal stimulus grants, the Foundation could open the museum.

The Foundation is now exploring new locations for the Museum and Clubhouse (See Below). Museums are usually larger and need more funding than Clubhouses due to the consideration of expanding the museum
by adding specialty museum building/wings that will present memorabilia related to the various genre of music such as: Pop, Rock, Country, Folk, Blues, Gospel, Doo Wop, Big Band, Jazz, Beach Music, and Barbershop/Sweet Adeline. The end result is to create an innovative atmosphere enhancing and
transforming the museum locations into tour bus destinations. 

Landlord sponsors, financial partnerships and non-profit entities including State, County and City agencies are being considered for museums and clubhouses. Performance venues in metropolitan cities with available museum and/or clubhouse space may be available. Such locations being considered are:

Las Vegas, NV. - Washington D.C. - Palm Springs – Hollywood, Los Angeles, or Sacramento, CA

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Foundation is currently pursuing a program to annex The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum and Vocal Group Clubhouse to locations in tourist destination cities throughout the United States and eventually the world. Ideal locations will have an existing tourism, performance venue and a potential museum building or restaurant clubhouse. Admission to the museum may be priced differently by location. Clubhouse locations may choose not to charge an admission. The least expense museum admission should be not less then $5 per adult, $4 per senior or veterans and $3 per student.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has proposed the following potential financial structures for building and operating a Museum Annex or Clubhouse.

FOUNDATION OPREATED MUSEUM

A design model for a Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum annex that has been proposed consists of the Foundation receiving grant funding to build and operate the museum annexes. This method of funding would generate funds quickly and make operation of the museum self-sustaining without servicing the reimbursement of loans and investments developing revenue for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundations local and national effort.

FOUNDATION & LOCAL NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP OPERATING THE MUSEUM

A design model a Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum annex that has been proposed consists of the Foundation to partner with a local non-profit organization sharing responsibility and sharing revenue. The Foundation considers partnering with a non-profit for the museum annex in the local city with the city hosting the museum annex. Grant funding, donations and sponsorships would be the desired funding sources to build the museum annex.  In the case of a non-profit partnership, the museum admission tickets, bus tours and sponsorships would provide operational funding. Non-profit revenue beyond operational expenses would be shared between the local non-profit host organization and The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, keeping all revenue within the non-profit organizations. A percentage of the local non-profit proceeds will go towards improvement, development and expansions of the local museum annex. A percentage of the revenue generated by each annex will support the national projects of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. The local hosting non-profit partner would be responsible for the building and initially funding the museum and its start-up operations. This would generate funds quickly and make operation of the museum self-sustaining while developing revenue for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation national effort. The percentage of participation will be based on the amount of capital funding extended.


PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP OPERATING THE MUSEUM

A design model for a Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum annex that has been proposed consists of The Foundation to partner with a for-profit Hotel, Casino, Restaurant or Performance Venue creating a Museum inclusive of Hall of Fame décor and display cases. All funding for the venture including artist performance fees will be the responsibility of the financial partner. Most of the income to the museum is to be retained by the financial partner to compensate for the capital contribution. Museum Annexes with for-profit partners would have the partners provide guarantee lease and percentage participation for the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, which would be providing the authentic memorabilia and the artist’s participation and services.

VOCAL GROUP CLUBHOUSE - See video “Club House”

The concept of a “Vocal Group Clubhouse” has never before existed. A safe, comfortable, intimate place to
share and relive memories and life experiences, where vocal groups, from the nearly retired, or legendary groups, to the new, younger and currently active groups, may come to entertain, relax, reminisce and
participate in meeting and greetings with their fans who all have similar interests and a common goal of
making beautiful harmonic vocal group music and sharing the memories of their lives at an intimate piano bar type venue. More sophisticated hard ticket special events and concerts will compliment and enhance the experience in the near by or attached venue while helping to promote the Clubhouse.

The Clubhouse (A Soft Rock Café style restaurant) will display a smaller version of the Inductee’s memorabilia in a live museum atmosphere where Inductees perform in an intimate piano bar restaurant, nightclub atmosphere for fans and the general public to enjoy musical memories and become aware of the influence vocal groups have made in making Americas music. The Vocal Group Clubhouse will promote the Inductees musical legacy throughout the world at designated locations designed to attract tourist.

Vocal Group Clubhouses are considered in preferred locations with for-profit partners providing secured funds leasing Vocal Group Hall of Fame memorabilia displayed similar to that of a "Hard Rock Cafe'" with out museum admission. The restaurant may be contracted as a concessionaire lease holder requiring them to lease the memorabilia from the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. The Foundation is to be guaranteed a lease
payment and percentage for providing the authentic memorabilia. The financial partner for the Clubhouse
leases the museum memorabilia. Memorabilia may be displayed in a "Soft Rock Cafe" type environment complimented with a piano bar and paid performances by the Inductees. Hard Ticket Concerts may also be
part of the annex paying inductees to perform their full shows.

FOUNDATION OPERATED CLUBHOUSE

A design model for a Vocal Group Hall of Fame Museum annex that has been proposed consists of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, a 501©3 Non-profit Foundation receiving grant funding to build and operate
the Vocal Group Clubhouse. The restaurant may be contracted as a concessionaire lease holder requiring the concessionaire to lease the memorabilia from the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation.

FOUNDATION & LOCAL NON-PROFIT PARTNERSHIP
Operating a Vocal Group Hall of Fame Clubhouse

A non-profit organization in the local city will be hosting the clubhouse. Grant funding, donations and sponsorships would be the desired funding sources to build and operate the Clubhouse. In the case of a non-profit partnership the Clubhouse may choose not to require an admission. The restaurant may be contracted
as a concessionaire lease holder requiring the concessionaire to lease the memorabilia from the Vocal Group
Hall of Fame Foundation. Bus tours and sponsorships would provide additional operational funding. Non-profit revenue beyond operational expenses would be shared between the local non-profit host organization and
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation, keeping all revenue within the non-profit organizations. A percentage of the local non-profit proceeds will go towards improvement, development and expansion of the Clubhouse. Revenue generated by each clubhouse will support the national projects of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. The participation percentage is based upon the amount of capital funding.

This method of funding would generate funds quickly and make operation of the clubhouse self-sustaining while developing revenue for The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation’s national effort. The local hosting non-profit partner would be responsible for the building and the initial funding of the clubhouse and its start-up operations.

PUBLIC / PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP Operating a Clubhouse

For a for-profit hotel, casino, restaurant or performance venue creating a Vocal Group Clubhouse inclusive
of Hall of Fame décor and display cases, all funding for the venture including artist performance fees will be
the responsibility of the financial partner. The restaurant may be contracted as a concessionaire lease holder requiring the concessionaire to lease the memorabilia plus a percentage from the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. Most income to the clubhouse would be retained by the financial partner with the for-profit
partners providing a guaranteed lease arrangement plus a percentage of revenue to the Vocal Group Hall
of Fame for services rendered.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE & ARTIST ROYALTIES

Many Vocal Groups have signed unfair contracts waving their trademark and right to royalties, leaving them
with nothing to show for their many years of hard work, performing and recording, let alone the countless hours, days and years touring on the road.

Even in the last few decades, some artists have had a difficult time collecting their royalties. A large majority
of the affected vocal groups either never had sufficient business management or lost their business guidance when the group changed record labels, was dropped from a record label, or underwent personnel changes,
death of a member or disbanded. Even though a vocal group may have been inactive in the Entertainment Business for years and no longer registered with the various guilds, record or publishing companies, their recordings were and are still being played and sold in the market place continuing to create royalties. 

Many Record Companies, AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) & Publishing Guilds like: ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers), BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated) and SESAC (Society of European Stage Authors and Composers) have lost contact with many of the vocal groups
and have had no way to send the royalties and residual checks owed them. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has been working to reestablish communications with the above organizations to supply them
with contact information and to aid in the difficult task of locating the groups and individual members.
Hopefully, this will help the vocal groups collect the thousands of dollars in long overdue royalties and
residuals due them from their life’s work.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation has formed an alliance with Sound Exchange. Sound Exchange’s
main objective and function is to assist all recording artists in collecting royalties and residuals.  Sound Exchange made a presentation at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Induction in July 2005 to inform the Inducted Vocal Groups of the many new industries that have been established like the internet, satellite radio, video games, ring-tones and other digital uses that have created additional new royalties and residual income for the Inductees, Nominees and entertainers around the world.

Truth In Music  ^Top

The “Truth in Music” Bill sponsored by The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation addresses issues of identity
theft and consumer fraud. It is an important project of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The fact is that unscrupulous agents are literally fooling the unsuspecting buyers and promoters that they are retaining the performances of authentic vocal groups when, in fact, they are not. Consumer fraud is committed when the groups are advertised and presented in venues around the world sometimes in two places at the same time.
The deceptive groups misrepresent themselves onstage leaving the audiences believing that they are the true legendary artists that created the music, when in reality they are not.

Following the 2003 Induction Ceremony and concert a Senate Hearing was held at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. This hearing included Inductees testifying regarding their experiences of abuse and misuse of their name, trademark and copyright.  Examples were giving of identity theft and false advertising relating to appearances
by fake groups. The “Truth In Musical Advertising Act” was introduced in Pennsylvania as Senate Bill 929, a Consumer Protection Law. Pennsylvania became the first state to pass the bill. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation created the “Truth In Music” committee to oversee the sponsoring of the “Truth In Music” Bill.
“Truth In Musical Advertising Act” (Now Senate Bill 929 Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law)

“Truth In Musical Advertising Act” is gaining momentum throughout the country due to a task force consisting
of a number of Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, nominees and industry professionals, along with political
and legislative supporters, all working together to draft and promote the legislation. Several of the major contributors and members of the committee is Jon Bauman - Truth In Music Committee Chairman, (Bowzer
of Sha na na), Joe Terry - Vice Chairman, (of Danny & The Juniors), Frank Maffie, (of Danny & The Juniors)-Secretary, Maxine Porter and Charlie Thomas (of The Drifters), Veta and Carl Gardner (of The Coasters),
Sonny Turner and Herb Reed (of The Platters), Senator Robert D. Robbins of Pennsylvania, sponsor of Senate Bill 929, Mary Wilson (of The Supremes) - Chairwomen, Artist Advisory Board, who was instrumental in
obtaining sponsors in a few of the beginning states and had brought the issue to Bob Crosby, President / CEO who coordinates the effort at The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

         
Mary Wilson Testifying - Senator Bob Robbins at the hearing.
"Truth In Music" Advertising Act Bill #929 Pennsylvania Consumer Protection Law

This committee is making great progress in protecting vocal group artists from identity theft and the public
from consumer fraud. Jon Bauman has been responsible with the help of many in getting the Bill sponsored
and passed across the country so far, the Truth In Music Bill has become Law in 34 States.

California, Connecticut, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Road Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and fully sponsored in Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi & New Mexico. Progress in sponsoring the Bill for 2010 underway in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Iowa, West Virginia, Wyoming, & Washington DC. The Federal Bill is fully sponsored and to be introduced in the Fall of 2009.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame along with a collective group of music industry leaders believe in  
“Fair Pay for Air Play” That airplay of artist’s songs should be fairly compensated to the artists singing those hit songs. Radio broadcasters in the United States are resisting fairness by not providing performance royalties to singers for airplay. Although most civilized countries all over the world have been paying performance royalties for years. All USA cable and satellite radio companies support the royalty. Songwriters and music publishers have been being compensated all along but the collection and payment for radio performance royalties has yet to happen in the USA as of today. This seems unfair, unjust and unsatisfying. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame is behind efforts to rectify this problem by joining in the musicFirst Coalition.


http://musicfirstcoalition.org/coalition/         Coalition Members Listed Below:
           
American Association                                                American Federation of Musicians        
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists    Christian Music Trade Association                        
Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.       Music Managers Forum – USA
The Recording Academy                                           Recording Industry Association of America
Rhythm & Blues Foundation                                       Society of Singers
SoundExchange                                                       Vocal Group Hall of Fame

, MusicFirst Coalition- Fair Play For Air Play, Truth In Music



musicfirstcoalition.org

Summary ^Top

One way you can help is to download Induction recordings or items at the ON-Line Gift Shop and to
encourage the supporting public to do the same. This is ultimately the best way to assist in the long-term
effort of building a National Institution to be loved and respected by people of the world.

Grants, sponsors or private funding provided to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame will give the Foundation the necessary working capital and cash flow for the Foundation to reach its goals, perform its duties and meet its objectives. Implementing the projected business plan over the next few years by providing the requested grants will enable the Foundation to become a self-sustaining organization in a short time and a National Institution
that will live for generations.

It is our hope that the City of Sharon, County of Mercer and the State of Pennsylvania will recognize the value
of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the tourism it will bring to the community and the state and will provide
the necessary funding for the project in Sharon, PA. Furthermore, other states participating in the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, museums annexes and clubhouses will also provide funding that will lead to the enjoyment of visitors attracted to their museums, clubhouses, concert tours, and concert series in their area.
 
People from all over the world will come to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Museum Annexes and Clubhouses to learn and become enlightened to the “History of our Music”. To the Artists, will come honor
and respect for their creation of the music, past, present and future. The aim of the Foundation is to develop and perpetuate an institution with integrity, a model foundation for the entertainment industry.

Through the Foundation’s efforts and Inductees contribution of millions of dollars of in-kind services contributing live performances, audio and video recording rights, along with financing from supporters yet to come to the Foundation will eventually build a national institution, loved and respected by people of the world, the entertainment industry and the artists that created the music.

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame receives promotion and publicity from projects like “Truth In Music” that create awareness that ultimately contributes to the 1/2 million hits per month from visitors of the web site and the hits continues to grow.

National television programs create the equivalent of millions of dollars in advertising. The Foundation could not afford to purchase this advertising and ultimately benefit from the promotion, contributing to tourism to the museum and annexes. In the future the tour and radio programs will add additional national support to the Foundation.

Grants becoming more difficult to acquire makes the consideration of Public / Private Partnership a more realistic and quicker way to forward The Vocal Group Hall of Fame. It is our intention to enter into Public / Private Partnership in the near future.

In conclusion, it is the hope of the Foundation’s Inductees, Board of Directors, committee members, supporters, that the State of Pennsylvania and other states will recognize the contribution and value that The Vocal Group Hall of Fame brings to the United States and the world and will provide the required grants, sponsorships and private funding necessary to make this unique, worthwhile project a success.
 
This Business Plan is based on conservative assumptions.
Interested parties should contact:

Bob Crosby, President/CEO 
Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
Columbia Theatre – 82 West State Street – Sharon, PA 16146
Crosby@VocalGroup.org  (724) 983-2025 Phone - (724) 983-0446 Fax

 
Please support The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation by downloading
Induction Recordings made from 2002, 2003 & 2004 Induction Concerts
Available on Amazon, iTunes, Rhapsady, Emusic, Napster & others.

Preview all 150 recordings



ON-Line Gift Shop

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Inductees, Induction Committee and members of
the supporting public will once again have the opportunity to cast their votes to elect
worthy vocal groups to join the list of the greatest vocal groups of the world as
members of the elite family of Inductees in The Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Committee Members and Board Members of The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation
have implemented a few changes to the Induction process. There has been fewer vocal groups
elected to the Class of 2008, 2009 and will be in the up-coming 2010 election.

Worthy vocal groups have been overlooked that should be considered in 2010 to
join the Qualifiers List. To become more effective improving the Vocal Group Hall of Fame,
the Induction Committee will research vocal groups that qualify and will be adding those groups
to the Qualifiers List. New Nominees selected from the Qualifiers List by the Induction Committee
will be added to the ballot that will elect the Class of 2010.

(Please email your suggestions to The Vocal Group Hall of Fame).

At the bottom left on the Inductees page you will find an OFFICAL listing of the current vocal group
Nominees for the Classes of 2008, 2009 and 2010.

The Classes of 2010 will be determined by tabulation of popular votes submitted
by the Induction Committee (made up of qualified musicologists) representing 35% of
the total weighted vote, Inducted Vocal Groups representing 40% of the total weighted vote
and public web vote representing 25% of the total weighted vote. 

The public will vote on-line at the Vocal Group Hall of Fame website
www.VocalGroup.org, November 2010.

INDUCTEES may find an OFFICIAL INDUCTEE Ballot in the mail, faxed to them or by email
Inductees that have not received a ballot or have misplaced theirs should contact
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation Office.

(The only INDUCTEE VOTES allowed are that of Original members, Recording members,
Current members and the Manager/Agent of the authorized authentic group). 

The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Board Members and Induction Committee Members together
will embark on a more in depth and interactive process the first of the year as preparation for
the 2010 ballot gets underway.

Serious efforts are being made to ensure the continued level of integrity expected of
The Vocal Group Hall of Fame Foundation. Voting for the Class of 2010 will take place
in November 2010.

The 2008, 2009 & 2010 Inductions will be held simultaneously over three days.
East coast or west coast locations are now being considered as venues for the three-day
Induction events. Inductions will be staged in the second half of the year 2010.               
We hope we can count on all of you to participate.

We would like you to start by first voting for the Classes of 2008 and 2009,
then write, email or call us with your input so we can exchange ideas that will continue
to improve the 2010 vote and your Hall of Fame in general.

As always, please feel free to contact our office by way of the below information
should you have any questions.

Bob Crosby      Tony Butala