Thanks For The Music

As we approach the end of our 15th year – and what a year it was – we want to Thank You for being an important part of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s mission: to spread the word about West Virginia’s contribution to American music.

Throughout 2020, we continued to recognize WV musicians, educate the public, and preserve our state’s musical heritage while navigating the changes. Our presentations and educational outreach switched to a digital platform, and you stayed the course with us through your online attendance, ‘Likes’ and shares, and financial support.

2020 Highlights

Ceremony-Groce Our 8th Induction Ceremony was filmed in advance and edited for broadcast on WV Public Broadcasting by Chris Oxley, when the live show was preempted by COVID-19. In addition, musical segments and presentations were filmed in Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City and Bakersfield, CA. The two-hour TV special welcomed Ethel Caffie-Austin, Honey and Sonny Davis, Larry Groce, The Hammons Family, and Mayf Nutter into the WV Music Hall of Fame.

The WVMHoF released a tribute album to esteemed WV songwriter (and all-around renaissance man) Billy Edd Wheeler. Titled “Courting The Muse: The Music of Billy Edd Wheeler,” a baker’s dozen of Wheeler’s songs were interpreted by a “Who’s Who” of WV musicians including Kathy Mattea, Tim O’Brien, Larry Groce, Julie Adams, Bob Thompson, Todd Burge, Sarah Rudy, Susanna Robinson, Richard Heffner, Ron Sowell, John Lilly, Mark Cline Bates, The Sycomores, and The Carpenter Ants. The WVMHoF website and Interactive Map have been revamped thanks to funding from the WV Humanities Council and The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. Many thanks to our friends at Rocket Graphics for their excellent work!

In addition to refreshed displays and exhibits, the WVMHoF Charleston Town Center store hosted monthly performances prior to COVID-19 (we hope to resume these shows ASAP!). The nearly 4,000 square foot space is a showcase for WV musicians and the WVMHoF’s projects. To date, more than 12,000 people have visited the store! WVMHoF exhibit at Carnegie Hall. Closed during COVID-19, the WVMHoF’s exhibit will be refreshed before Carnegie reopens. While both The Music Career Counseling Program and The Traveling Museum received funds to visit schools, those projects are on hold due to COVID-19 while providing educational programs in a digital format are being explored.

Needless to say, we at the WV Music Hall of Fame are looking forward to 2021 and restarting our educational outreach programs and performances. Of course, all of this programming requires considerable time, effort and… financial support.

We are in hopes that you will continue supporting The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame and its mission to honor West Virginia’s musicians and inspire future generations of musicians.

Remember, we are a registered 501(c)3 and all donations are tax deductible. And in this especially unusual year, if you take the standard deduction on your 2020 tax return you can deduct up to an additional $300 for contributions to your favorite non-profit(s).

Thank you for your continued support,

Michael

Michael Lipton

Executive Director,

WV Music Hall of Fame

DONATE ONLINE: http://www.wvmhof.com/support.html

DONATE BY MAIL: 1427 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301

1427 Lee Street East, Charleston, WV 25301 • 304.342.4412 • info@wvmusichalloffame.com