August 21, 2024 the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame announced the 2024 class of inductees.  The induction ceremony is set to return to the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino Bear’s Den Showroom on October 23.  Tickets are available now for $30 via Ticketmaster or from the Garden Nook inside the Casino.  Tickets will be available at the door for $35.

Niagara Falls is best known to the world for its majestic Falls, but the area has also produced some world class musicians and artisans over the years.  In 2017, area artists and fans got together to launch a new Hall of Fame to honour these outstanding artists.

The newest members of the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame are Christopher Critelli, Ron LaSalle, Larry Lindsay, Pete Malinverni, Richard Shulman, Darryl Tonemah, The Fabulous USA Band with posthumous inductions for William Masselos and Ramblin’ Lou Schriver.

Before giving it all up to pass on his knowledge to future generations, Christopher Critelli was an opera singer.  His tenor voice lends well for his current musical endeavours as a member of Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame members Beginnings – a Chicago tribute band.

Niagara Falls native Ron LaSalle is also known as “The Bohemian Blues Man”.  He is a musical pioneer when it comes to Americana Roots Rock music.  A co-founder of the Nashville based record label D’Ville Records, LaSalle has penned a number of works including some that have been used in films.

A staple of the Niagara Falls music scene, drummer Larry Lindsay has been a part of bands for over 30 years.  As a member of Great Escape, he has shared the stage with numerous top selling artists including Coasters, Drifters, Chuck Berry, Bobby Lewis and Dela Reese.  His writing credits include the hit song “Teenage Doll”.

Jazz pianist Pete Malinverni is a Niagara Falls native who has been a part of numerous albums in every configuration from solo to ensemble.  He has performed all over the U.S., worked with Gospel choirs, as a studio musician, and many clubs in New York City.  When not touring and performing, Malinverni has also worked as an educator as the Chair of Jazz Studies at the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase.

A posthumous induction, William Masselos was a Classical music pianist who shared the stage with a number of symphonic orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the Montreal Symphony, the London Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the American Symphony.  He premiered a number of concertos including works by Schumann and Brahms.

Also a posthumous induction, Ramblin’ Lou Schriver got his musical start in Niagara Falls as a radio man.  Working at WJJL, he became the first person to broadcast Country music in Niagara Falls.  He went on to be a performer and promoter.  As a performer, his appearances included the Erie County Fair where he performed for 51 years!  He also made an appearance at the famed Ryman Auditorium at the Grand Ole Opry.  As a promoter, he was the man who brought musical super stars Elvis Presley, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams Sr to western New York.

Pianist and composer Richard Shulman is a Niagara Falls native who has numerous recordings to his credit of Classical, Jazz, meditation, and inspirational music.  Along with performing across North America and Europe, Shulman has composed some 80 works of his own for ensemble and orchestra.

A member of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Tuscarora Nations, Darryl Tonemah is an  award-winning artist who has recorded several albums of what he calls “Native Americana”.  Besides performing all across the nation, Tonemah has performed on the theatrical stage, appeared in films and television, is an author, and a concert promoter.  When not making music, Dr. Tonemah is a counselor who is dedicated to the well-being of his fellow Indigenous citizens.  He is the recipient of a number of Native American Music Awards.

Performing the music of the 60’s and 70’s for the past 40 years, The Fabulous USA Band finds inspiration not in the music, but in the US Olympic team.  The award winning band performs in the colours of the American flag – red, white, and blue!

With some of the inductees performing as a part of the annual induction ceremony, this year is sure to be filled with a variety of music and plenty of inspiration.