2022 Inductees

Charles Reedy 2022 Legacy

May 5 1931 – Aug 9 2022 Charles Reedy was a well-known jazz musician who played for 75 years at the historic Colored Musicians Club in Buffalo New York. Born in Alabama, and later raised in Niagara Falls New York, he was a member of the NFHS Class of 1950, where he...

Marva (Holland) Frails 2022 Legacy

Sep 22 1935 – Sep 30 2021 Marva Frails, a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls New York, was the first black music teacher in the Niagara Falls Public School District. Hired in 1960 at Gaskill Junior High School, Mrs. Kincannon was a well-respected and celebrated music...

The Veltones 2022

The Veltones was the original name of the popular Doo-Wop group from Niagara Falls New York consisting of Calvin ‘Cal’ Briggs, Neal Davis, Emilio Giondomenico and Ernie Vendetti. In the late 1950’s, they performed at many dances in the greater Niagara Falls area to...

Peter Zito 2022

Peter J. Zito, Sr., a native of Niagara Falls New York, also known as Pete Zito or ‘ZEETS’, has made significant contributions to the music history and excellence in the Western New York area. He was born September 28 1948 and started lessons and playing the accordion...

Thurman Brothers 2022

Since 1990, the four oldest Thurman brother musicians; Dave, Jack, Randy and Rob have been entertaining music fans as The Thurman Brothers Band. Throughout their 30+ years performing, other Niagara Falls musicians have been added to their group starting with the...

Chris Tedesco 2022

Niagara Falls native Chris Tedesco is a 1978 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield and is one of the top call trumpet players in Los Angeles since 1987. Equally at home performing classical trumpet or jazz, Chris’s sound has been heard on numerous recordings for movies, TV...

Lawrence ‘Larry’ Ghougasian 2022

Larry Ghougasian was born on January 13 1938, in Niagara Falls New York. He lived here for 36 years and is most notably known for owning and operating The Main Restaurant on Main and Falls Streets in the 60s and early 70s. In 1964, Larry began featuring live music at...

Michael Civisca 2022

Niagara Falls native Michael Civisca is a singer and songwriter often referred to as a ‘traditional pop crooner’. He is noted for his skill with American standards and love songs evoking the iconic male vocalists and timeless standards of the 50's and 60's. Growing...

Gary Baker 2022

Gary Baker, a 1970 graduate of Lewiston-Porter, is a nationally acclaimed country music singer and songwriter, who won a Grammy in 1995 for the ‘Best Country Song’ ‘I Swear’ co-written with Frank Myers. The song was a #1 country hit for John Michael Montgomery, a #1...