WELCOME! to the blog for The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame. This is a new feature for The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame (LMHOF) for 2010.
We are looking for input about Louisiana’s music, Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame members and the LMHOF.
If you are unfamiliar with The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame, we suggest a visit to the Official web site www.LMHOF.org or to our History page http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/content/view/132/47/ and please visit the amazing Galleries Musique Virtual Museum featuring over 5,000 entries (pics, videos etc) at http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/component/option,com_expose/Itemid,60/
Did you know that 2010 has been declared the Year of the Song by Governor Bobby Jindal? See the proclamation and get more info at http://louisianamusichalloffame.org/content/view/153/167/ .
Thanks for looking!
FROM OUR 1-4-2010 PRESS RELEASE:
On December 30th 2009, The parent nonprofit of the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame (LMHOF) program completed all formal arrangements to officially acquire the Louisiana Songwriters Association (LSA), another nonprofit organization with a 26 year history.
The alignment of the two organizations is timely to LMHOF’s previously announced intention to celebrate 2010 as the Year of the Song as proclaimed in 2009 by Governor Bobby Jindal. LMHOF has also established a Web site at www.YEAROFTHESONGLA.com where announcements about Year of the Song events and activities by the two groups will be posted and the Governor’s Official proclamation and LMHOF’s commemorative artwork can be viewed.
Mike Shepherd, who now serves as executive director of both groups, says LSA has been both streamlined and greatly augmented and has already set up www.LAsongs.org where a newly established Louisiana Songwriters Hall Of Fame resides. The inaugural members of this LSA recognition group were drawn from inductees already found in LMHOF’s main list of legendary members and its dedicated Songwriters’ Annex section. “In the future, there will be, as now, concurrent members, as well as independently inducted members to each Songwriters honors group based on their level of achievement,” Shepherd explains.
“The two organizations will work together to offer several events and year-long programs to raise awareness and promote Louisiana’s songs, songwriters, music and artists with the goal of moving Louisiana’s music industry forward,” Shepherd says. “We have had programming for songwriters in the master plan since our inception. The Governor’s proclamation and this opportunity to align with an existing songwriters group compelled us to join in the effort to celebrate the song and the songwriter’s craft in the coming year as a priority for the Hall of Fame.”
LSA was incorporated in 1984 and extended its involvement with songwriters across the state during its most active years. Citing personal and time commitment issues, founder Janice Calvert issued this statement about the transition: “We have such an abundance of talent in this state that needs to be acknowledged… Sometimes it was difficult to get those in “control of the industry” to acknowledge us.”
“We have a tremendous musical legacy that is recognized worldwide,” Calvert continues. “ I am proud to say that what I hoped for has finally happened. On December 30, 2009, Mike Shepherd of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and I met, and merged the two non-profits. I believe that this was meant to be. What’s important now is that we do everything we can to work together and help make it a reality.”
LMHOF & LSA also announce the creation of LSA’s own Executive Board of Advisors which includes Calvert and noted songwriters such as Danny Cohen aka Casey Kelly (The Cowboy Rides Away), Tony Haselden (That’s My Story & I’m Stickin’ to It), Leon Medica (New Orleans Ladies), Emmy and Academy Award-winning composer Bill Conti (Rocky and For Your Eyes Only), Dick Holler (Abraham, Martin & John) and rising Louisiana artist and songwriter David St. Romain. Others will be added as LSA’s activity progresses.
