What kind of world would we have without music? And what would Marquette County be like without its wealth of musical talent?
I started the Marquette Music Scene Hall of Fame seven years ago to show appreciation for all the marvelous local music that helps make this county such a special place. This year’s event will have the largest group of inductees so far! Every year I find more talent.
The 2023 Marquette Music Scene Music Hall of Fame is November 25th at 7 pm in the Red Room of the UP Masonic Center/MATI (Marquette Arts & Theatre Innovations) Theater.
Some of this year’s inductees probably should have been included in the first or second year, but sometimes something becomes such a part of your life that you come to accept and expect it.
Case in point—the Ray & Peg Hirvonen Foundation. Ray and Peg are like family. They’re the first people I got to know when I moved to Marquette County fifty-eight years ago. I never gave it a thought that they are Music Mafia. I knew they supported the Marquette Area Blues Festival, and Hiawatha Music Co-op, and Marquette City Band, and even the Music Hall of Fame through MATI for the past two years. But when their donation for the Presque Isle Band Shell became public, the light in my brain clicked on, and I realized they are Marquette Music Scene Hall of Fame Music Mafia.
This year’s inductees include another huge list of Marquette County talent.
We will recognize and induct the Hirvonen Foundation, Marquette County Choral Society, Marquette City Band, Negaunee Male Chorus, Dixieland Band, Frank Smith Trio, Don Bays, Janice Shier Peterson, Deborah Bengry, Kurt Gronvall, Kim Lenten, Toni Saari, Vicki Tickinen, Plaid Billygoats, Paul Dornquast, Tom Vadja, Paul Neumann, Warren Hantz, Esther and Eino Olander, Smarty’s for Rising Star Venue, and Waterfront and Brookton Dance Hall for Venue History.
We gladly accept nominations. Often I hear, “How come so-and-so isn’t in the Hall of Fame?” My best answer is “Nominate them!” There is a nomination form on our Facebook page, which will also be at the induction event, or you can email me a name and information about them at ceracer24@aol.com, or mail to 380 Karen Road, Marquette.
I’ve been working from the talent I know about, and I’m always grateful when you let me know of someone who’s been part of the music scene for at least twenty-five years (unless you’re nominating them in the Rising Star category).
I hope to see you November 25th at the party! Come dressed up or in your music tee shirts. Walk the red carpet and take lots of pictures!
Cindy Engle is an artist, reflexologist, event organizer, positivity pusher, and music and art supporter. managing OutBack Art Fair, Marquette Music Scene, and MMS Music Hall of Fame, and, best job-grandma.
Excerpted from the Winter’23-’24 issue of Health & Happiness U.P. Magazine, copyright 2023, Empowering Lightworks, LLC. All rights reserved.
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