"Keep the Music Playing"

The  Oswego Music Hall Fame is proud to announce several of its inductees  for its 2025 Induction Ceremony. This is the first of several induction  announcements from the Oswego Music Hall of Fame. The 2025 Induction  Ceremony will be held on Sunday, March 23, at 1 PM at the Oswego Elks  Lodge. The event will feature a buffet of ziti, meatballs, Italian  bread, salad, coffee, and tea. Tickets for this event are $40 per person  and can only be brought via pre-sale. There will be a cash bar during  the event.  Adding to the excitement, some of this year's inductees will  provide live entertainment, making it an afternoon of music,  celebration, and inspiration.
Your  tickets sales directly fund scholarships for High School Seniors, free  music lessons at local Oswego County music schools, and essential  resources like musical instruments for Oswego County children. With your  help, we can continue providing life-changing opportunities for young  musicians while honoring the incredible talent in our area.
Some of 2025’s inductees include Barry McCaffrey from the Barry James Band, he will be posthumously awarded the Joseph  P. Spereno Hall of Fame Award for his accomplishments as singer and  songwriter. Barry J. McCaffrey was not only one of the greatest  musicians in Oswego County, he was also one of the nicest people you  would want to meet. When Barry formed the “Barry James Band” it wasn’t  just a band it was a Brotherhood. His iconic music that he wrote is  still alive to this day. When throngs of people go to see Frostbit Blue  in concert and hear “Ontario Twilight” ,you can bet Barry is smiling  just as much as the thousands of people in the audience. The Music of  Barry J. McCaffrey and the Barry James Band will live on from generation  to generation. Members of the Barry James Band will play in Barry’s  honor at the Induction Ceremony.
Mike  Shiel will be awarded an Entertainment Award as an accomplished  soloist.  Mike Shield will be performing a solo set at the Induction  Ceremony. Mike Shiel has been playing music in Oswego County since 1991.  He has about 100 original songs and probably played 1000 weddings,  retirement parties, birthdays, graduations and memorial gigs. Mike’s  ability to capture and keep an audience entertained is not that common  for all solo entertainers. Mike Shiel’s excitement and passion for music  shows onstage at every gig he does. Mike played a concert with John  Popper of Blues Traveler to a sold-out crowd at Greene’s Ale House after  Popper played for Harborfest. It was just the two of them onstage and  with a full house. It’s a concert that all in attendance never wanted to  stop.
James  J. Dillabough will be awarded an Enrichment Award. Jim has given so  much to Oswego music community and he has been cornerstone for over 60  plus years. Jim started playing in the late 50’s and is still slaying  the bass guitar in bands to this day.  Jim has played with the best  musicians in New York State and with the best bands of many different  eras. When Jimmy was in the band “The Thunderbirds” (1957-1963) he  opened for such greats as Gene Pitney, Brian Holland and the Paris  Sisters. Jim Dillabough has not only proved that R&R is here to stay   but he has proved he is here to stay with R&R.
New  board member Bill “Fuzzy” Wiltsie was inducted into the Oswego Music  Hall of Fame 2023, he describes what it was like being given his  inducement letter; “I was totally shocked and taken back when I received  my letter. As I read the letter form the Board of Director’s stating  that I was one of the Inductee’s for the prestigious Joseph P. Spereno  Award. I had to sit down. This isn’t just any award it was the Joseph P.  Spereno Award and I was an Inductee to receive it and be in the OMHOF. I  was speechless and I felt all emotions coming at once. The first very  strong emotion was telling me that I am so undeserving of such a huge  honor and award. My other feelings and emotions were excitement and  happiness. I was thinking how proud my Mom and Dad would be of me,  especially my Mom who actually pushed me into my first Accordion lesson  at Grose’s Music Store when I was eight years old.”
Tickets  must be purchased by March 15, 2025, or until they are sold out. No  tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets can be purchased either by  check or money order payable to Oswego Music Hall of Fame, Inc. to 94  Mariposa Dr., Oswego, NY 13126. Please  include the number of tickets you’re purchasing, your name and specify  if they are for General Admission or the Honoree section. If you would  like to order tickets, please contact Nancy Spereno at 315-480-3327 to  confirm your payment or for assistance.
Tickets  can be picked up on March 7, 8 between 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and March 9  from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM 2025, at the Oswego Players Box Office at the  Oswego Civic Arts Center, Barbara Donahue Dr., Oswego, NY 13126. Sonia  Lough-Berlin will distribute prepaid tickets during these dates so be  sure to include your name with your payment and if you plan to pick them  up at the Box office. If you need to arrange an earlier pickup, please  contact Nancy Spereno.
The  2025 Induction Ceremony at the Oswego Elks Lodge will be a memorable  day. The 2025 Induction Ceremony will feature heartfelt performances by  inductees as they shine on their special day. It’s a unique opportunity  for friends, family, fans and public to witness the passion and artistry  of the award winters while celebrating the legacy of Oswego’s music  community.