Hall of Fame awards & concert rock Brooklyn’s Aladdin Theater

Published 12:00 am Sunday, October 27, 2024

Many musicians play at the Aladdin Theater in the Brooklyn neighborhood every month of the year. But, only one of these shows – the Oregon Music Hall of Fame Induction and Concert – raises funds to provide educational scholarships for young musicians in Oregon.

At the 17th annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) ceremony on Saturday night, October 12, a dozen inductees were honored for making music, or supporting the music industry, in Oregon for at least 20 years.

Although he has moved to the east coast, perennial Master of Ceremonies Tony Starlight returned to host the show, while OMHOF Co-Founder Terry Currier of Music Millennium presented the trophies.

During the program, some 2024 inductees performed – including Laura Veirs, who showcased her poetic songwriting and distinctive voice. Also on stage was The Obituaries, Portland’s well known punk, rock, and blues band – whose lead singer, Monica Nelson, again growled out a vocal performance that pleased the audience.

Near the end of the program, after Jenny Conlee was inducted – she’s best known as a founding member of indie rock band, The Decemberists – she performed with another band to which she belongs, Casey Neill and the Norway Rats.

Announced as OMHOF’s “Artist of the Year” was Portugal. The Man; the “Album of the Year” nod went to the band Eyelids, for their album Colossal Waste of Light.

As much entertainment as fundraising, the annual extravaganza again featured a live auction for guitars autographed by artists like Peter Frampton, Elvis Costello, and The Decemberists.

“Proceeds from this night help support OMHOF’s Music in the Schools programs, as well as our scholarship program – this year, providing $2,500 scholarships to help seven students further their musical education,” OMHOF Co-Founder Janeen Rundle told THE BEE.

This year’s awards presentation and concert raised about $30,000 for OMHOF, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, to continue its philanthropy for Oregon music student education.