Class of 2010 inducted into Kansas Music Hall of Fame

    The 2010 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert was held on March 6, 2010 at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, Kansas. This was the sixth class inducted into the Hall.

    The Ceremony featured performances by 2010 Inductees Plain Jane, The Moanin' Glories, Morning Dew, Green River Ordinance, Vernon Sandusky, Pott County Pork & Bean Band, and Tree Frog.

    Also inducted were Oleta Adams and Conny & the Bellhops. The late Gary "Igor" Crawford received the Directors' Award, and The Comancheros received the Bob Hapgood Award. And in a surprise announcement, the Board of Directors announced the special directors induction of KMHOF founder and president Bill Lee.

Vernon Sandusky performing at the 2010 Induction Ceremony
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KMHOF President Bill Lee honored by surprise induction

KMHOF President and 2010 Inductee Bill Lee
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Kansas Music Hall of Fame founder and president, Bill Lee, was surprised at this year's induction show when his fellow board members joined him onstage and announced that he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame for all of his efforts on behalf of Kansas music over the years.  Lee spent 25 years as a radio disc jockey and program director; wrote a book about Kansas music in 1999 called Kansas Rockers...the First Generation ; moderates a Yahoo group devoted to discussing old  Kansas and Kansas City music ; and for all he has done with the Kansas Music Hall of Fame.  Congratulations, Bill.

More from the 2010 KMHOF Induction Ceremony

The 2010 Kansas Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Concert, on March 6, was a big success with a sell-out crowd and outstanding performances from seven of this year's inductees. The only inductee unable to attend was Oleta Adams, who left earlier in the week for a date in Italy. Conny & The Bellhops did not perform, but Conny's sons accepted his award and many of the Bellhops were in attendance.

After half of the inductions, Plain Jane kicked off the evening's music. For health reasons Jimmy Bond sat for the performance, but was in good voice and the set got the show off to a good start. Jimmy was spotted chatting with his many friends in the crowd later.

Next up was Wichita 's Moanin' Glories, who upped the tempo and the volume with a set of oldies covers. A few people were disappointed that they didn't do either side of their single, but the band said they hadn't played either song in a long time and weren't able to practice it before the show.

Wrapping up the first half of the show was Emporia 's Green River Ordinance, who had a large contingent of fans on hand. They sounded as if they hadn't ever quit playing instead of taking a break of about thirty years.

Following the intermission, the rest of the acts were inducted, and KMHOF President Bill Lee was surprised by the Board of Directors, who joined him onstage to announce to the crowd that Bill was being inducted for all of his contributions to Kansas music.

The music continued with the shortest set and one of the best received when Vernon Sandusky played for about 14 minutes, with another of The Chartbusters and two members of Rodney & the Blazers playing with him. His guitar solo during "She's The One" had many in the crowd talking later.

The evening ended with Tree Frog turning in the kind of performance they're known for with tight playing and some of the best vocal harmonies ever heard around here. They'll be back at Liberty Hall in 2011 for another of their semi-annual reunion shows.

A lot of prior inductees were in the house as most of the Red Dogs and Rising Suns were on hand. Kansas' Kerry Livgren joined The Morning Dew at their table.

MORE PHOTOS, INFORMATION AND LINKS FOR THE 2010 INDUCTEES

Videos

Newspaper articles

Several of the inducted acts were profiled in their local newspapers ...

2010 Induction Ceremony slideshows