The Birth of The San Diego Music Hall of Fame

I moved to San Diego in 2000. I knew no one and was fortunate as a musician, to be able to go out to Open Mics, meet people and find my community. I discovered a robust scene of extremely talented performers, one of whom, Jason Mraz, skyrocketed to superstardom in short order.

Over my first few years in SD, I met many in the fine arts scene and was moved by how well they supported their artists, and how big art was in San Diego because of the community. I dreamed of musicians having something similar locally, but it simply wasn't so.

Years passed, but little changed. Venues opened. Others closed. Many talented folks moved in search of greater opportunities, to places like Los Angeles and Nashville, but many others stayed here, and continued to give it their all. In 2018, I decided it was time for a change.

I just started my new company, The Good Vibe, and realized musicians were going to have to do it for ourselves, like the art community. I realized, having now lived in SD for 18 years, I was going to have to lead in this endeavor. I did have an old friend who had my back from the start.

John Ciccollela, a colorful character from NJ like me, ran those first Open Mics I attended and gave me my first gig in town. Johnny C made me, and many others, feel at home, in a town where we were really anything but. He was insightful and supportive when I consulted with him on these ideas I had, and was a big part of our planning. Sadly, he passed suddenly in January 2018. Months later, I started the San Diego Music Hall of Fame to honor music and musicians and build civic pride in our city's rich musical history that had been, all too often, overlooked.

I was meeting with Melissa Grove , Jason Mraz'a manger, about another project I helm, "The Hunt for the Holiday Spirit," the first series starring a full cast of actors with disabilities, essentially, inclusivity exemplified, when I mentioned the San Diego Music Hall of Fame, she lit up and suggested Jason as a potential inductee. In a lot of ways, the rest is beautiful history. San Diego songwriting hero Jack Tempchin, "Peaceful, Easy Feeling," was the next to accept our induction invitation, and we were rolling. Armless guitarist, Mark Goffeney, boogie-woogie pianist Sue Palmer, SD icon Lou Curtiss and my friend Johnny, filled out a fabulous first class in 2018. It was a wonderful, sold-out evening.

Since 2018, we have inducted amazing classes of artists that reflect our fabulous music scene and our beautiful community. We aim to honor all genres and facets of the music world from instrument makers like the founders of Deering Banjos Jamie Deering and Taylor Guitars to the military's Marine Band San Diego and a host of diverse artists .

The list continues to grow and as it does, we tell our story, and preserve our history. The community has come out in full force with sold-out shows, great coverage in The San Diego Union-Tribune annually and generous donations from an array of local businesses, music and otherwise.

Our 2024 event, The San Diego Music Hall of Fame 6th Annual Induction Ceremony is this Friday, November 8, and it will be another excellent evening. Our 2024 inductees are Peter Sprague, Daniel Jackson, Tomcat Courtney, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Cathryn Beeks and Electric Waste Band. You may or may not know these artists and that is why we do this. Each of them has given selflessly from their souls, so San Diego can have the great music tradition that it does.

It has been my humble honor to oversee this and we are only beginning to share our truth. Hope you can join us for the next step on our journey this Friday night. Limited seats remain. Love to music-lovers everywhere and thank you for taking the time to learn our history.

For tickets to The San Diego Music Hall of Fame 6th Annual Induction Ceremony, Friday, November 8, 2024, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/san-diego-music-hall-of-fame-6th-annual-induction-ceremony-tickets-951270374297