On November 5th the Niagara Falls Music Hall of fame held their annual induction ceremony at the Seneca Niagara resort and casino Bear’s Den Showroom.
The three hour ceremony was filled with music and memories of the nine newest members to the Hall of Fame.
The night of celebration began with a performance from the Hall of Fame and board member Bruce Wojick and his band The Struggle.
Conductor organist and Episcopal priest Robert Duerr was the first in the class of inductees to take the stage. Part of the ceremony included a performance Duerr joked about giving a performance in his in his speech; noting there was no orchestra for him to conduct, the casino didn’t have an organ for him to play, and he didn’t have a sermon prepared so he wasn’t sure what to do. Duerr chose to play a video that was recorded during COVID of “Earth Song” by Frank Kelly – a beautiful choice.
Next up was Matt Piorkowski i- a U.S. Navy veteran, founder of Matt’s music, and accordion player who has appeared on “The Lawrence Welk Show”. At 91 Matt still has the chops play inter entertain the crowd.
Clarinet player Joe Macielag formed his first Polka orchestra – the Melody Bells Orchestra – when he was just 19 years old. He would go on to compose many of the orchestra’s music. In 2018 Joe was inducted into the international Polka Association’s Polka Music Hall of Fame as a pioneer. He has also performed before President Ronald Reagan. Unable to attend, Joe’s nephew Stan accepted the plaque.
In his acceptance speech, guitarist ray Barry noted that like music, everything in life is about the timing. Barry’s musical contributions over the past 30 plus years is a who’s who of artists that include sharing the stage with Derek Trucks, Kansas, Burton Cummings, Kim Mithcell, Jess Healy, Dickie Betts, Rusted Root, and Blues Traveller. Playing a guitar that was a Christmas present from his parents over 30 years ago, Barry played an original song – “Fuego”.
Blues man Richard Ray Farrell began his musical career in 1975 as a busker in the Paris metro after his family moved to Europe. He has opened for Joce Cocker and has performed with a number of Blues artists including Lazy Lester, Big Jack Johnson, Big Boy Henry, Louisiana red, Frand Frost, and R.L. Burnside. After a video message from Spain, Farrell’s sister accepted the plaque and noted that while some musicians have a “day job”, music is the only job Richards has ever had.
A posthumous induction, K. Michael Sikkas was known for his unique guitar tunings and creative approach to songwriting but became even more well known for his ability to spot talent. He worked with a number of record companies including Arista where he worked with the legendary Clive Davis spotting not only the talent, but the hit songs for that talent.
The Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame also pays tribute to non-musicians who work diligently to write about or promote local artists. The 2026 recipient of the Dr. Sam Moreali Music Support Award goes to journalist and historian Norma Higgs. For decades Higgss’ articles on the local music scene appeared in the Niagara Gazette. Unable to attend, her son Doug accepted the award.
When Joe Zarrillo’s name was announced, the audience erupted into loud cheers. Crediting his brother Frank for getting him started in music, Joe Zarrillo’s musical career has included working with Robbie Krieger (Doors), Peter Criss (KISS), Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Warren DeMartins (Ratt), Nick Menza (Megadeath), and Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper). Joe took the stage with Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame member Jamie Holka for a performance.
When it comes to the express, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, it is especially appropriate for Marc Scibilia whose father and grandfather were musicians of note in their own right. Writing his own songs at age six, the western New York native now calls Nashville home where he has worked with Teddy Swimms, Keith Urban, James Bay, The Zac Brown Band, and Steve Winwood. It was Marc Sibilia’s voice singing “This Land is Your Land” that appeared in the Jeep Super Bowl ad in 2015 and helped to launch Scibilia into stardom. Unable to appear in person, Scibilia sent a video message and his mother accepted the plaque.
In 1983; Rick Maneli, Sam Fruscione, Jerry Genova, and Leo McDonald formed the punk rock band Virus X. Performing their original tunes; the band has shared the stage with 10,000 Maniacs, Teenage Head, Corrosion of Conformity, Mark Freeland’s Electro-Man, Green Jelly, the Polecats, The Cheats, and Buffalo’s own Good Goo Dolls. A real do it yourself band, Virus X has taken care of everything from writing and performing the songs to booking and promoting the band – even hanging their own posters Virus X has earned the nickname The Grateful Dead of punk.
Congratulations to the 2026 class of the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame!
For more information about the Hall of Fame, the 2026 class of inductees, or to see the list of all Hall of fame members; go to NFMusicHOF.org.