The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame announced its 2024 class of inductees Thursday; representing a diverse range of musicians and industry icons who have made lasting contributions to the world of music.
This year’s inductees are:
• Christopher Critelli
• Ron LaSalle
• Larry Lindsay
• Pete Malinverni
• Richard Shulman
• Darryl Tonemah
• The Fabulous USA Band
Posthumously
• William Masselos
• Ramblin’ Lou Schriver
The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame 2024 Induction Ceremony will be held on Oct. 23 at The Bears Den Showroom at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. The night of celebration will feature live performances and heartfelt speeches. The event is scheduled to commence at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $30 Presale, $35 day of the event and are available through Ticketmaster or at the Garden Nook located inside the casino.
The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame 2024 inductees:
• Christopher Critelli — A retired Niagara Falls music educator and lyric tenor who transitioned from a decade-long opera career to teaching music and chorus. With roots singing in various WNY rock bands and classical performances, Chris is one of the original and current members of Beginnings; 2018 NFMusicHOF Inductees.
• Ron LaSalle — A Niagara Falls native known as “The Bohemian Blues Man”, for his eclectic blend of soulful poetics, musical honesty, and tobacco-cured vocals is one of the forerunners in what is now the Americana roots rock scene, co-founder of D’Ville Records in Nashville. He has been singer-songwriter whose career spans soulful blues, roots rock, with extensive touring, recording and collaborating with top industry musicians across the United States. He has also licensed numerous songs for use in films.
• Larry Lindsay — Known as a versatile drummer and singer performing on the Niagara Falls’ music scene in various bands from the 1950’s to the 1980’s. He toured with the NF band Great Escape sharing stages with the national acts Coasters, Drifters, Chuck Berry, Bobby Lewis and Dela Reese. He wrote and recorded songs including the hit “Teenage Doll” by Larry Lindsay & The Lads.
• Pete Malinverni — A renowned New York City jazz pianist, composer and educator from Niagara Falls who, since 1981, has performed with major jazz figures, recorded multiple albums as a leader, solo piano, piano/violin duet, trio, quartet, quintet, big band and choral contexts, all with heavy airplay on all platforms, from the radio to the internet.
Not only has he performed in studio, in New York’s great clubs, but also on famous stages and festivals throughout the country to include our own Lewiston’s Northeast Jazz Festival. Pete is also known for his work with gospel choirs which convinced him that music must be treated as a sacred gift, to be passed on freely to fellow musicians and listeners, with passionate control. Pete is proud of his work in education over the years, and currently serves as Chair of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College.
• William Masselos — Was a world-renowned classical pianist who performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony, the London Philharmonic, the American Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and many others. Known as a champion of contemporary classical music, Masselos premiered many piano concertos to include solo performances; most notably are his recorded interpretations of Schumann and Brahms compositions, which are highly esteemed by record collectors.
• Ramblin’ Lou Schriver — Was an American country musician, promoter and radio broadcaster who began his radio career in 1947 at WJJL in Niagara Falls, being the first person to broadcast country music over the Western New York airwaves. He performed in Western New York, Southern Ontario, and beyond; appeared at the Grand Ole Opry, Wheeling WV Jamboree, and was an annual performer at the Erie County Fair for 51 years. As a promoter, Schriver brought numerous national country music acts to Buffalo and Niagara Falls to include Elvis Presley, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash and Hank Williams Sr.
• Richard Shulman — A Niagara Falls native, is a versatile pianist/composer who has recorded numerous albums focusing on classical, jazz, meditation, healing and inspiration music. He has performed throughout North America and Europe in a wide variety of venues and has composed over 80 pieces for small jazz groups as well as songs and pieces for chamber ensembles, choirs and symphony orchestras.
• Darryl Tonemah — From Kiowa, Comanche and Tuscarora heritage in the Niagara Falls Region, is an award-winning musician with 11 acclaimed albums. Blending profound lyrics with emotional depth, he describes his musical style as “Native Americana.” He has performed numerous live shows and festivals throughout the country, sharing the stage with many national acts. He has appeared in theater, several films, television shows, and is also a concert promoter and author, as well as a recipient of several Native American Music Awards. Through his artistic work and extensive professional career in counseling, Dr. Tonemah is dedicated to increasing overall health and wellness in the indigenous communities throughout the United States and Canada.
• The Fabulous USA Band — A group of legendary, award-winning, hall of fame Niagara Falls musicians, who have been performing class rock songs from the 1960’s and 70’s for the past 40 years. Inspired by the USA Olympic spirit, band members are always dressed in red, white and blue, entertaining fans in numerous venues throughout Western New York and winning a variety of music awards over the years.