Kansas Music Hall of Fame 2013

Kansas Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Saturday, March 2nd, 2013
Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS
pics by Danl Blackwood
Liberty Hall, Lawrence KS Randy Wills of The Exceptions brought a crowd - l. to r. - his mom Patty, sister Jandi, unknown friend, step-daughter, and wife Donna. oh yeah, and that's Ric Barron in the background photo-bombing with his phone ... taking a pic of me taking a pic of them! :-) Marta & Ric Barron - longtime members of the The Exceptions Junkyard Jazz accept their induction and the Directors Award Hall of Fame president, Bill Lee
The Devastating Dinks accept their induction Jimmy Wilson Bud Ross (who just happens to also be the creator of Kansas-native Kustom amplifiers in Chanute KS) The Exceptions accept their induction (l. to r.) Steve Green, Randy Wills, Craig Senne
Ray Hildebrand accepts his induction Kerry Livgren (do I really need to tell you which one is Kerry?), with family and friends, including his wife Vicci (left), Gina Bowes (next to Vicci), and daughter Katie (right). Junkyard Jazz performs DSC 0063 Gary Bisel, his wife and historian Deb, and Evan Johnson - Gary and Evan have both been inducted multiple times
Exceptions backstage preparing to go on DSC 0090 DSC 0092 DSC 0094 DSC 0096
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DSC 0129 (l. to r.) Craig Senne, Steve Green, & Randy Wills - the founding members of The Exceptions Ray Hildebrand DSC 0134 DSC 0136
DSC 0141 Ray and his daughter Heidi sing Ray's hit song "Hey, Paula." This song, originally titled "Paul and Paula" was #1 on both the pop charts and the R&B charts FIFTY YEARS ago that day. DSC 0143 DSC 0157 Donna and Randy Wills
Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer (center) and his daughter Serena (left) joined by Bill Lee (right) as Serena reads the proclamation from Governor Brownback honoring Kansas Music Hall of Fame. They also brought a proclamation honoring The Tempests. It just so happens Lt. Gov. Colyer's older brother Jim Colyer was a member of The Tempests until his passing not long before today's event. Kerry Livgren accepts his induction Kerry had also been previously inducted with the bands Kansas and White Clover. DSC 0171
Chuck Mead, former lead singer of the country group BR549, accepts his award. Mike Kelley accepted the award on behalf of Playmate Blues Band. The Tempests are inducted, Don Wierman speaks on behalf of the band. The Tempests perform DSC 0189
as you can see, they brought quite a crowd with them from Hays. Devastating Dinks take the stage... ...and the crowd approved! Devastating Dinks horn section - John Bolton (sax), Daryl Bachelor (trumpet), and Rod Manges (trombone). Lindy Gallaher (bass)
John Bolton was a member of one of the original versions of Kansas, which later regrouped after their 30th anniversary party and recorded 4 albums as Protokaw. I first met Daryl Batchelor when we were both members of the Heartland Band in the late 70s. He went on to teach high school music in Sabetha and is currently in Hutchinson. This evening was the first time we connected since 1979! Doug Chapman (guitar/vocals) John, Rod, and Daryl. Rod and Daryl have been performing together in "Mainstreet" for 30 years based out of Manhattan. Interestingly enough while researching Mainstreet I discovered Ric Barron also performed with them recently. check them out at mainstreet-band.com DSCN6556
DSCN6560 the gorgeous Liberty Hall (where I saw White Clover for the first time in 1973 when it was the Red Dog).