2025 Hall of Fame: DAMDOG Blues Group
JOSEPH P. SPERENO HALL OF FAME AWARD WINNER
In 1977, the Kyle brothers banded together to play music in the old general store in Sterling Valley. What started as a typical garage band has evolved over the years to
become a work of art and a labor of love. The brothers three with Dave on bass, Craig on drums and Larry on guitar, have honed their craft through countless practice
and performances to become the polished musicians they are today. Their devotion to each other and their craft can be heard throughout their music. Their style of
play is mirrored in the images of the past by keeping true and honest to the roots of the blues. They have played festivals and venues both large and small, to captivated
crowds all over New York State. They have had opportunities to open for national acts such as J. Geils, Bob Margolin, Max Creek, Devon Allman, Robert Randolph Family Band,Guy Davis, Dickey Betts and
Jonathan Edwards while maintaining a strong and faithful presence at local venues. When needed they break down
to an acoustic duo with an eclectic twist. Larry also delivers a powerful solo performance. They are recording
artists on the Coon Dog record label and have released their fifth all original music C.D. entitled “Sterling Valley.”
Like a fine wine they get better with age. After forty-eight years and counting they are still tearing up town after town and gaining new fans every day! They have become CNY’s premiere blues band and are out working the blue collar trail every week! Once you see them perform you
will understand and become a hard core fan of DAMDOG!
Educator Award
Joseph Trionfero
How God got me into the Hall of Fame
Well, it’s official, after 50 years of performing in the music and entertainment business, I am being inducted into the Oswego Music Hall of Fame. I’ll be honest, it feels good, I am honored, and it does make me proud. If I’m being really honest, I am very surprised to receive this
invitation and honor. You see, I gave up on the idea of this happening a long time ago as I had come to terms with the reality that it just wasn’t meant to be for me and my unusual career.
Stage 1. Side by Side. In the 60’s and 70’s, I played guitar and sang in a few bands. Most notably in Side by Side with Paul Vandish. Paul and I achieved a pretty good level of success and in fact we made a pretty decent living out of it. My goal was to make money while having fun. Although, Paul was (and still is) a great singer, and very gifted at the keyboards, I was an “ok”
singer and a decent rhythm guitar player. I understood that I wasn’t “Hall of Fame material”. (Paul, is for sure) However, what I did bring to the table (stage) was fun! At this time, I realized my true gift was to spotlight people and to be an ENTERTAINER. I honed my skills at this with Side by Side, while playing thousands of shows (for the better part of a decade) as Paul and I were performing 4-6 nights a week. People would come out to watch us to be part of the fun!
Stage 2. JTS Music In the 80’s and 90. I needed to make Money and lots of it. Side by Side had run into a brick wall as Paul and I both knew in order to grow or even sustain our success we needed to expand our market. We needed to live on the road. We both chose security as he had a wonderful opportunity with Oswego Hospital and I had 5 kids with no job in site. JTS Music was born out of complete necessity. I came up with the idea that the “DJ” concept could succeed, if not thrive, with an entertainer or emcee as a front man. That idea catapulted me into a very lucrative business model. JTS Music did thousands of weddings and parties for over
20 years. This further allowed me to develop into a true ENTERTAINER while making money. Again, obviously this was not the path, nor the ticket into “The Musician’s Hall of Fame”.
Stage 3. Show of Love. In the 90’s something changed. I changed. You could say I had become a master at my craft and thus quite successful, however, I had no idea what was to come next. God, somehow, found me. As much as I tried to hide “he” found all my favorite hiding places. My Mom did open my eyes one day, (realizing my head was up my butt) she reminded me “Remember, whatever you do well, is a gift from God. What you do with it, is your gift too God” I WAS ON FIRE. I used every gift, resource and connection I had to work for my faith, and to do God’s work. Since 1990, I have traveled NY state extensively doing over 4300 school shows as a motivational speaker (an inspirational entertainer). The Golden Rule was always my message in one form or another. (I have also performed over 3000 shows at senior homes statewide) Was I an educator? Fast forward 35 years and now I get recognized, inducted into my home town’s Music Hall of Fame under the category of Educator. Now isn’t that something.
In closing, isn’t it funny how things work out. It was at that moment that I decided it was more important for me to make a difference than make a living when God showed me the plan and gave me the POWER! The moment I no longer needed the recognition is when I get recognized.
Thank you, God, for getting me here and showing me the way. Thanks to the Oswego Music Hall of Fame for listening to “him” and letting me in. I am Grateful to you and to him!
Enrichment Award
Pat Hillman
My musical career started in 3rd grade when I walked a different way home from school. I came upon a house with a sign in the window: “Piano lessons.” I walked to and knocked on the door. A nice lady answered. I asked her how much for piano lessons? I excitedly went home and told my mother. I began with eight or nine years of classical piano training. For the last year, Mrs. Anthony taught me all about chord Structures. This opened the door for me to play rock and roll without sheet music in front of me. Armed with a Farfisa compact organ And an Ampeg B-18 amplifier, which my aunt Mary bought for me, I auditioned for the local band The Shadowman. Bob Harris, the drummer, said, “Pat, whenever you wanna take a solo, how to do that at the time go for it.”
I wasn't sure at the time how to do that. I went home and practiced long and hard. I finally mastered it.
The band later traveled to New York City to compete in Macy's Battle of the Bands. We won the deal to record a record.
As time went on, I played with many other bands. In Oswego, most notably,Tangerine,
Crystal Ship, and many others. Playing on many stages, including the Carrier Dome, and
Stay tuned with my good friend, Sam Domicolo, at the floating barge stage for HarborFest. A highlight of my career was playing at the Thousand Islands Music Festival in front of 13,000 people.
One day after I got married, my new wife learned what it was like to be married to a
musician - beginning with that Northern NY stage. Needless to say, I've been single for
many decades.
Of all the bands and musicians I have played with, I have learned something from each and
every one of them. Music education never ends. It is a lifelong endeavor. I hope that
many learned something from me. Even at the age of 76, I am still learning and will
continue to do so. I am humbly honored to be inducted into The Oswego Music Hall of
Fame.
Thank you very much.