Mid-America Music Hall of Fame: 2004-2012
The Mid-America Music Hall of Fame had its roots in 1999 when Doug Spartz and Gene Jurek put together a reunion of musician friends at the El Paso Club in St. Joseph, Minn., outside of St. Cloud. Almost 600 people showed up, encouraging them to start an annual event.
2004
The program of the first Minnesota Rock & Country Hall of Fame stated its mission as:
To publicly recognize Minnesota based entertainers for their contributions to the arts and music industry, thereby impacting and enriching the lives the residents and visitors of the Great State of Minnesota and, in many cases, the history of music in the United States.
DATE: May 22, 2004
PLACE: Medina Ballroom
SPONSOR: Minnesota Rock & Country Board
INDUCTEES:
- Bobby Vee
- Marilyn Sellars
- Trashment
- Dave Dudley
- Underbeats
- Dee Jay and the Runaways
- Unbelievable Uglies
- Sherwin Linton
- Tornados
- Marvin Rainwater
- Titans
- KSTP Sunset Valley Barndance
- Greenmen
- Orbits
- “Big John” Voit
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS:
- Dale Black
- Richard “Chico” Brossard
- John Bernadot
- Mojo Buford
- Jimmy Colvard/Covard
- Mike Colby
- Tony Caire
- Ward Dunkirk
- Gus Dewey
- Pat Dawson
- Tony Glover
- Steve Ellis Garlich
- Tony Andreason
- Howie Butler
- Zippy Caplan
- Jack Curtis
- Pat Curto
- Les Cunningham
- Dick Driscoll
- Bob Eveslage
- Whitey Evans
- Maury Finney
- Jim Feeney
- Jack Franzen
- Dorothy Frieberger
- Dick Gatzke
- Leroy Glazier
- Mike Glieden
- Augie Garcia
- Johnny Green (Pavlac)
- Chill Hilman
- Jim Houle
- Freddie Haas
- Jerrry Hermes
- Genevieve Hovde
- Arvid “Red” Johnson
- Johnny Konchal
- Cornbread Harris
- “Dakota” Dave Hull
- Forrest Jehn
- Jim Johnson
- Lonnie Knight
- John “Spider” Koener
- Will LeBold
- Myron Lee
- “Lazy Bill” Lucas
- Mike McKenzie
- Greg Maland
- Dan Matousek
- Doug Maynard
- Ione Tomasetti
- Al Udeen
- John Voit
- Dick Van Hale
- Ardis Wells
- Rick O’Dell
- Gene Okerland
- Kurt Obeda
- Al Posniak
- Carol Peete
- Curt Powell
- Jack Penniston
- Dave Ray
- Del Roberts
- Kay Schue
- John Senn
- Jimmy Thomas
- Dale Thomas
- Bill Velline
- Willy Walker
- Steve Wahrer
- “Cadillac” Sally West
- Wally Walsted
- Bob “Roscoe” Wharton
- Marc Wroe
- Dennis Stukenborg
- Emmet Rose
- Dick Robey
- Ar Stevens
- John Stafford
- Steve Swenson
- Texas Bill Strength
- Steve Skarl
- Mike Shaw
- Mary Beth Shones
- Mike Stice
- Roger Suneson
- Dennis Sunlie
- Steve Tamasy
- Jack Taylor
- Jeff Mooridian
- Jan North
- Tom Nystrom
- Gary Nielson
- Curt Olsen
- Earl Pritchard
- Willie Pounds
- Steve Palmer
- Stu Perry
- June Randall
- Bob Rascob
- Bob Richison
- Betty Rydell
- Dick Krekelberg
- Donnie/Doni Larson
- Leroy “Lee” Larsen
- Vinton “Pudge” Likes
- Tommy Lee
- John Leppart
- Sherwin Linton
- Betty Lee
- Greg Muellerleili/Muerlellie
- Gary Myers
- Bill Miller
- Terry Masters
- George McLellan
2005
DATE: May 6-7, 2005
PLACE: Medina Ballroom
SPONSOR: Rock Country Hall Committee
INDUCTEES:
- Marvelous Marauders
- North Sisters
- Augie Garcia
- Ione Tomasetti and the Renowns
- Crow
- Castaways
- Canoise
- Mojo Buford
- Ardis Wells and the Rhythm Ranch Pals
- Joe Sun
- Sky Blue Water Boys
- Dakota Round-Up
- Hill-Dillies
- Fendermen
- Charlie Ryan
- Red Johnson
- Chuck Carson
- Slim Jim Iverson
- Eipcureans
- Bobby Vee and the Shadows
- Blood on the Tracks Studio Band
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS:
- Robert Coates
- Collie Waggoner
- George Garrett
- Steve Rowe
- Robert H. Vagts
- Slim Jim Iverson
- Dottie Lou Bolme
- Buddy Olson/Olsen
- Tom Tourville
- Tom Secrest
- Bruce Pedalty
- Johnny Holm
- Gary “Gabby” Gabriel
- Terry Erdmann
- Bob Becker
- Tom Brown/Greg Scott
- Carroll Bateman/David Carroll
- Bobby Hodge
- Alex Parteneau
- Carolyn DeZurik
2006
DATE: May 5-6, 2006
PLACE: Medina Ballroom
INDUCTEES:
- Big Walter Smith
- Jo Jo Williams
- Jonathan Edwards
- Andrews Sisters
- Stagebrush
- Suicide Commandos
- Amos Heilicher
- Jan Stark
- Betty Rydell
- Barb Huber
- Hot Half Dozen
- Johnny Western
- Gregory Dee and the Avanties
- Parrish Brothers
- Daisy Dillman Band
- Shaw Allen Shaw
- Larry Verne
- High Spirits
- Billy Folger
- Houle Brothers
- Baby Doo Caston
- Shotgun Red & Steve Hall
- Del-Counts
- Mystics
- Texas Bill Strength
- Eddie Cochran
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS:
- Steve Skarie
- Bill Lordan
- Lee Larson
- Ray “Rayman” Enright
- Punky Cole
- Jerry Dube
- Virge Litke
- Benny Dixon
- Don Heiskary
- Dick Moebakken
- Kathy Kohls
- Mary Jane DeZurik
- Bill & Kathy Bieloh
- Johnny Konshal
- Dale Thompson
- Dennis Sundlie
- Mary Beth Schones
- Willie Ponds
- Tom Ginkel
- Les Swanson
- R.D. Knutson
- Keith Pfannenstein
- Steve Styme Seamons
- Willie Murphy
- Marilyn Mercord
- Andy Walsh
- Steve Tamasey
- Cal Houle
- Bob Houle
- Art Monson
- Timothy D. Kehr
- Jim Kirchstein
- Ken Harvey
- Bobby G. Rice
- Cactus Slim Wilson
- Dan Lund
- Bobby Bird
- Percy Stuther
- Ralph Bebeau
- Jim Lopez
- Jimmy Jensen
- Terry Bethel
2007
DATE:
PLACE: Medina Ballroom
INDUCTEES:
- Charms
- Gestures
- Killer Hayseeds
- Joey Molland (Badfinger)
- Paulette Carlson
- Platte Valley Boys
- Flamin’ Oh’s
- Lipps, Inc. (Steve Greenberg)
- Northern Light
- Art Essery
- Novas (Bobby Nolan)
- Alex Parenteau & Silver Wings
- Rio Nido Band
- Litter
- Ladies of Country: Kim Martin, Cleo Bee, Phyllis Jones
- Magpies
- Sonny Rodgers
- Dennis Morgan
- Big “M’s”
- Dave Brady and the Stars
- Middle Creek Spunk Boys
- Maury Finney
- Eddie Berger
- Gypsy
- Passage
- Mary Jane Alm
- Rockin’ Hollywoods
- Danny’s Reasons
- Big John Dickerson
- Danny Hargrove
- Blackwood Apology
- City Mouse
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS:
- Famous Lashua
- Charlie Waggener
- Arnie “Chuckles” St. Hillaaire
- Jimmy Hill
- Jack Satter
- Jim Kleinfelder
- Ernie Batson
- Duane Carter
- Mike Jann
- John Volinkaty
- Vic Tedesco
- Ron Geslin
- Issy Israel
- Bill Baston
- Ted Johnson
- Dave Kaspazak
- Mike Hoyer
- Ron Butwin
- Sean Blackburn
- Karl Mueller
- Princess Inez
- Joe Savage
- Cal Hand
- Owen Husney
- Marsh Edelstein
2008
In 2008 the organization was renamed the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame in order to be inclusive of all kinds of music created by local artists and national artists with Minnesota ties.
DATE: May 2-3, 2008
PLACE: Medina Ballroom
INDUCTEES:
- Arne Fogel
- C.A. Quintet
- Curtis A
- Barry Thomas Goldberg
- Bob and Dale Strength
- Dale Menten
- Dick Shapiro
- Doc Holliday Band
- Gary Paulak
- Free and Easy
- High Noon
- Jerry Lemire
- Peter Steinberg
- Judd Group
- KanDells
- Mike Gleiden and the Rhythm Kings
- Amazers/Golden Swans
- Casey Anderson
- Michael Johnson
- Mike Waggoner and the Bops
- Westbound
- Peterson Family
- Willie Walker
- Steve Wroe and the Furys
- Peter Lang
- More-Tishans
- Whisky River
- Ipso Facto
- Chancellors
- Kenny Schossow
- Showtime I & II
- Lynn Anderson
- David Z
- Liz Anderson
- Willie Murphy
- Mary Macgregory
- Jordan Gish
- Ken Horst
- Don Robert Formanek
- Jim Greenwell
- Keith Zeller
- Carole Martin
- Irv Williams
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS:
- David Zimmerman
- Merlin Bronkow
- Donald K. Martin
- Charles Schoen
- Dennis Charnecki
- Curtis A. Almstead
- Bob Trebus
- Johnny Jay Huhta
- Larry LaPole
- Dale Menten
- Thelma Holland
- Hank Holland
- Leonard Caston, Jr.
- Larry Lane
- Bud Auge
- Ted Lemire
- Dick Maleski
- Robert Velline (Bobby Vee)
2009
DATE: September 26, 2009
PLACE: I-90 Expo Center in Sherburn, Minnesota.
ENTERTAINERS:
- Tony Andreason
- Marilyn Sellars
- Doug Spartz
- Denny Charnecki
INDUCTEES:
Clutch and the Shifters were headed by Patrick Rasmussen, from Petersburg, Minnesota. The band was formed by Patrick and his college buddies, including Gary Petersen of Fairmont, Keith Hocking of Ellsworth, Joe Keyes of Pipestone, Lee and Don Kanten of Ortonville, Jerry Lindberg of North St. Paul, and Isiah Whitlock of South Bend, Indiana. They all attended Southwest Minnesota State University, and originally got together to play at a homecoming talent contest, which they won. They secured a contract with Alpha Productions, and toured the country from 1973 through 1976.
Millie and the Saddle Pals were from Ceylon in southern Minnesota. They were made up of Truman and Millie Kittleson and Truman’s brothers Ted and Norman, as well as Kenny Meyer and later Roy Healy and Cap Kurseth. They got their start in 1950, and were heard on radio stations throughout southern Minnesota.
Thank you to Patrick Rasmusson for providing the information on the 2009 ceremony!
2010
JOHN VOIT BENEFIT
DATE: April 3, 2010
PLACE: Eagles Club, Minneapolis
INDUCTEES:
- Bill Kelly (William J. Karsikas)
- Sharon Lee
- Hank Thunander
MID-AMERICA MUSIC HALL OF FAME
DATE:
PLACE: Sheraton Bloomington Hotel Minneapolis South
MID-AMERICA MUSIC HALL OF FAME BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
- Dawn Schnickels-Johnson, Chairperson
- Mary Voit
- Tom Tourville
- Tom Campbell
- Denny Johnson
- Timothy D. Kehr
- Carl Bradley
- Dale Menten
- Bob Coates
- Doug Spartz
- Cindy Spartz
- James Walsh
- Chris Osgood
INDUCTEES:
- John Hautla
- Gordy Singer
- Cain
- Marcene Church
- Bill Jordan
- Jimmy Hyde
- Accents
- Nite Train
- Rembrandts
- Phil Solem
- Nielson White Band
- Frank Wagamon Sextet
- Haze
- Frank Wagamon
- Steve Raitt
- Milwaukee Slim
- Benny Heilman
- Steve Adams
- Sensational Sleepers
- Rockie Robbins
- Randy Levy
- Sounds of Blackness featuring Gary Hines
- Deacons
- Dave Anthony
- Damon Lee & the Diablos
- Electras
- Doris Hines
- Dean Magraw
- Anthony Cox
- Jay Epstein
- Lamont Cranston Band
- Sue McLean
- Richard “Dick” Fischer
- Double Nickels
- Jokers Wild
- Westside
- Stillroven
- Shangoya
- Mick Sterling & the Stud Brothers
- T.C. Jammers
- Poor Boys
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS: None listed in the Program
2011: No Ceremony
2012
DATE: February 24, 2012
PLACE: Kato Entertainment Center, Mankato
INDUCTEES:
- Whitesidewalls
- Shags
- Joe Schultz Band
- Sandra Lee & the Velvets
- Murphy Brothers Band
- Dick Kimmel and Jerilyn Kjellberg
- Jim McGuire
- Paul Durenberger
In addition to the annual induction ceremonies, which featured live reunion performances of the honorees, the Hall of Fame put out a series of CDs of local music called “Rockin’ Your Socks Off!”
The Hall of Fame as first presented has now been suspended. These were tremendous shows and I was lucky to have attended each one held in the Twin Cities. Thanks so much to Doug and Cindy Spartz and all of the many people who made these unbelievable shows possible.
Inductions are still being made, however, on an individual basis. When I get that information I will add it to this page.