Florida Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame honors the Florida music scene.
CLEARWATER: If you have lived in Florida for any decent amount of time, or have been a faithful subscriber to this column, then you are well aware of the rich musical history that not only Tampa Bay, but Florida as well has under it's belt. If you have been living under a rock and need a refresher course, then read part one of the three part editorial that appeared in this column titled "The History of the Live Music / Bar Scene In Tampa Bay". Regardless of whether or not you are aware of Florida's rich musical history, were you aware that Florida has it's own music hall of fame based out of Clearwater? If you answered no, then allow me to introduce you to the Florida Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame....
History:
It Started with an Idea… In the mid 60's, bassist, songwriter and producer, Charlie Souza, a Florida native, was part of a Tampa Bay, Florida band called, The Tropics. The Tropics not only achieved state wide success, but were able to obtain nationally acclaimed success as well. Fast forward to 1999, when The Tropics regrouped to celebrate their 30-year reunion with a performance at the St. Petersburg Coliseum. The immortality of their music was evident by the joy and exuberance exhibited by the masses that attended that magical event. It was a night that the band, nor the crowd, wanted to end.
The next day, as Charlie looked out upon the pristine white sand of St. Pete Beach from a hotel balcony, he got an idea and immediately contacted band mate, Buddy Pendergrass, saying, “Hey - there should be a Florida Music Hall of Fame so that we can keep the memory of all of us alive along with those who came before us as well as those who come after, right up to the present!”
During Charlie and Buddy’s preliminary research, they discovered the State of Georgia had a Hall of Fame, but were shocked that Florida didn’t, given that many of the artists honored by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame were actually from Florida or had launched their careers in the beautiful “Sunshine State.”
Sadly, Buddy – one of the founding members of The Tropics has passed on, but the dream lives on through the unwavering efforts of Charlie Souza and the diverse and dedicated team of visionaries, music and entertainment professionals, political and private sector supporters he has assembled to serve on the Board of Directors of the Florida Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. The quest and the dream continues, not only to honor Buddy, but ALL Florida music creators and entertainers like him who have helped to bring Florida the respect from the public and entertainment industry that it so richly deserves.
The Challenge:
The task before the Florida Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame is to channel the energy and enthusiasm of all Floridians, as well as the worldwide fan bases devoted to Florida's artists - and to solicit their help and financial support as they move forward to honor and cast Florida’s creative pioneers in stone via this permanent and lasting tribute to their work, thus enabling future generations to remember and celebrate the honorable few who spearheaded Florida’s entertainment movement and contributed their diverse talents in music and entertainment with Florida… and the world!
Overview:
Beginning with the powerful, rhythmic drumbeats from Florida’s Seminole Indians, “The Sunshine State" took its first steps towards becoming the mecca for groundbreaking music and entertainment. It is with this same passion, spirit, commitment to excellence and depth of our origins that we establish the Florida Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, recognizing, honoring and embracing all that embodies the BEST of Florida’s Music & Entertainment and its enduring legacy.
The FMEHOF has been established to honor the legends of yesteryear, to celebrate those artists currently creating music and events that embody and reflect Florida’s diverse and ever-growing entertainment scene which flourishes not only in the State of Florida, but past our boundaries into the world – and to nurture, develop and educate Florida’s future music makers and entertainment trail blazers.
Their Mission:
The goal of the FMEHOF is to establish a Florida Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame museum which will honor and preserve the legacy and significant contributions of those icons who have left an indelible imprint on Florida’s rich entertainment legacy: from musicians, to writers, to performers, to promoters – ALL who have respected and established roots and ties to Florida and who have contributed in a way that has made a positive difference in our State’s musical and entertainment heritage. Within that framework, the creation of a state-of-the-art teaching and performance facility is to be established to provide a professional environment for those seeking to advance their creative gifts as taught by industry legends who selflessly offer their invaluable bank of hard earned knowledge and mentoring skills to those who might not otherwise have access.
If you would like to nominate a florida band, songwriter, promoter, music manager, Music Journalist, or anyone that you feel has made an impact on the Florida music scene into the Florida Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, you can do so by clicking here.
The Florida Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame headquarters is located at 2451 McMullen Booth Road, Suite 302, Clearwater, Florida 33759.
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