Pegasus
2026 Joseph P. Spereno Hall of Fame Award Progressive Rock Band
About Pegasus
You could probably say the origins of Pegasus started when I saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show on February 9th, 1964. I knew then, from seeing Paul McCartney performing, I would be playing bass guitar and I never looked back.
Around 1968, when we were sophomore’s at Oswego Catholic High School, Peter Smith and myself decided to form a band, we called it Noah and The Arkmen. We enlisted the late Peter Hagen on vocals, the late Tom Dorgan on drums and Joe Loschiavo on keyboards and eventually Dave Dickson on second guitar. Directly across from the old Stones’s Candy shop on West Bridge Street, was the Dorgan house, and we practiced in the gable of the front attic. My father, John Heagerty, the well known History teacher, arranged for us to play numerous shows at Leighton School, and it was there we really began to tightened things up and learn how to play live.
Eventually some of us entered Oswego State and Peter Smith and I were roommates in the Oneida Dorm. A lady friend of ours suggested we name the band Pegasus, and we did. We practiced every day in the basement of Oneida and eventually we added a keyboard player, the late Tim Grant, Mike Rogala from the progressive band Panacia on drums and eventually Ron Fragetta replaced Tim on keyboards.
With the members now officially myself, Peter Smith, Peter Hagen, Ron Fragetta and Mike Rogala, we were the official Pegasus and we had plans.
First, we rented a house on Main Street, Mexico, New York and then purchased a grey school bus from George McGrath Sr. who had the Auto Mart on East Seneca St. We found a few agents in Cortland and started to play shows all over upstate NY. Eventually, we wanted more action and it was suggested by my mother of all people that we contact an Oswego native who was now a booking agent in Media, PA., Frank Kielb, and we did.
That was the beginning of a life changing adventure. Off we went. We were free,
traveling through the outback of the Pennsylvania countryside with our bus, heading towards Philadelphia. We pulled the bus into the woods, swam in streams, smoked weed and played our guitars by the fireside, it was pure heaven and we knew it. Our first show was in a small club, as an audition, and we did so well that the agent booked us in the middle of center city Philly, J.F.K. Plaza, with about 1500 people watching. It was breathtaking and we clobbered them. Pegasus would eventually be a household name in Philly.
As time moved on, there were, as always, personnel changes, but the band played on, I made sure of it. Altogether, there were, start to finish, 27 actual players over the years.
It impossible to put everything I experienced in this letter, as I was the only original member standing at the very end of a 20 year adventure. I saw the entire thing, start to finish.
In the “heat of battle,” within the heyday of the club scene of the mid 70’s and the entire 80’s of New Jersey, Philly and Delaware, the adventure encompassed car crashes, high speed chases, the mafia, tons of money, incredible clubs everywhere, dangerous and notorious biker gangs, the police, suicides, suit wearing drug dealers trying to entice us, beautiful women everywhere, absolutely phenomenal live performances, bar fights that would surpass imagination, gun carrying club owners, bouncers, body guards and hookers and much, much more. It started at Oswego Catholic High School in 1968, and ended in Wildwood, New Jersey in 1988, and here I am, still standing, performing every so often, married, and writing books.
Noel Riley Heagerty
2025, Oswego NY
Addendum
The Players of Pegasus:
Noel Heagerty,
Pete Smith,
Pete Hagen,
Joe Loschiavo
Tom Dorgan
Dave Dickson
Mike Rogala
Tim Grant
Ed Litwack
Ron Fragetta
Kevin Angeline
Mike Ford
Chris Moos
Frank Moos
Mitch Schecter
Paul O’Conner
Roger Girke
John Cooper
Keith Kashner
Joe Amedio
Gary Derren,
Jerry Helms
Mike Snyder
Anthony Baker
Bill Certo
Ron Kayfield
Mike Lecompt
And Performing Guests, Past & Present:
Paul Heagerty
David Mcgrath
Tom MCcaffrey
Taylor Ricks
Pegasus Members
Pegasus Photos & Memorabilia
Noel Heagerty foreground Chris Moos background
Tom Dorgan on drums, Peter Smith on guitar, Ed Itwack on guitar
Noel Heagerty & Pete Smith 2017 Ferris Wheel
Pegasus live show Bullwinkles NJ 1977
Pegasus 1980's
Tom McGrath
2026 Educator Award
About Tom
Percussionists and Educator
“To teach is to learn twice…” Joseph Joubert
Dear Hall of Fame committee, thank you for nominating me for the 2026 “Educator Award” in the Oswego Music Hall of Fame!
The City of Oswego was instrumental in providing me opportunities in many areas, most significantly, imagining music as a career. In looking back on my Oswego ‘music roots’, the first inspiration was likely my attraction to the popular music of the early to late-1960’s as well as the musical path paved by my brothers, John and David. By this time, they were already rehearsing and performing locally in a 5-piece band. This was
my first “close to home” glimpse into the possibility of pursuing music as a career.
Fast forward…
As I developed basic drum set skills, I began performing locally with a few groups. Soon after, I attended college where I was able to meet other musicians while taking a few music courses. This experience led me to performing with a new group and I began my first formal drum set lessons with a Long Island big band
drummer. He inspired me to learn about the wide world of music theory and to explore and listen to any and all music genres. After two years, I returned to academia. Soon, I began teaching privately and performing in parallel. Over time, a cohesive and fluid teaching method came about, some of which was based on skillsets
passed on to me from other teachers.
Following graduation with a degree in music, I continued on to graduate school to focus on percussion performance. After my first semester, I was fortunate to receive an adjunct position at a college in Salinas, California. Following graduate school, I moved to New York City, where I remained active in teaching and performing for 25 years. During my time in New York, I also developed the necessary skills as a recording engineer, eventually creating a music production recording studio (TomTom Recording Studio). From 1987-2005 I produced, engineered and performed on scores of full length albums, specializing in recording singer/songwriters living in the Tri-state area. Here too, my teaching background and listening skills guided me in what can be a fun, creative yet emotionally dynamic environment.
Outside my private teaching studio, I have held teaching positions at the following: Hartnell College, Salinas, California (1978-79); Drummers Collective (aka thecollective), NYC (1981-82); Master classes at Montgomery College, Rockville, Maryland (2004); SUNY ESF, Syracuse, NY (2006-2022); Lemoyne College, Syracuse, NY
(summer sessions 2013-16); SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY (2011-2024); and Hamilton College, Clinton, NY (2023-24).
For me, a teacher is given an important responsibility, to offer the ‘student’ every possibility of developing their skills and finding their passion within a fun, creative and safe space. Not only in their study of music, but in the collaborative environment of making music with others.
Finally, though I no longer teach, the influence of hundreds of students remains a permanent, wonderful and important part of who I am today.
Tom McGrath
BERYL HILL
2026 Educator Award (Posthumous)
About Beryl
Bio written by Sue Lass Mahigian and William Jones
Mrs. Beryl Lewis Hill was born in Amboy Center in 1901. She earned her degree in Fine Arts at Syracuse University.
Beryl taught music and art at OHS, retiring in 1965. In the late 1930s, she organized the Philomelians, a women’s choral group. Shortly after, she created Beta Mu Gamma for male singers. These groups garnered awards yearly for excellence at New York State adjudication festivals. The walls of 09 in the old high school were lined with plaques recognizing their honors. During her tenure at OHS, Beryl also conducted the orchestra and directed many musical productions such as The Mikado and H.M.S. Pinafore. Beryl was well known at the state level for conducting and adjudicating choral festivals.
In 1948, Mrs. Hill served on the Music Committee for the Oswego Centennial celebration and conducted the Oswego Centennial Chorus.
For a time, Beryl was the choir director at the Church of the Resurrection (formerly Christ Church). In later years, she also organized and conducted several choral festivals for youth from church choirs all over the city.
She was a member of the Board of Education from 1963–1968 and served as President from 1965–1966. She was also a member of The Oswego Players. In 1953, she published a book of poetry titled Philomela’s Song. (Photos and one of her poems can be found in the Photos section.)
In 1967, a reunion of Philomelians and Beta Mu Gammas was held to celebrate and honor her and the anniversary of the founding of Philos. Philomelians and Beta Mu Gammas who were in high school at the time performed under the direction of James “Al” Cole, who succeeded her and continued the excellence of Philos and Betas after she retired in 1965. Governor Nelson Rockefeller issued a citation in her honor for “her many years of service and outstanding contributions to the welfare of the community, and of the Empire State.”
The reunion rekindled many fond musical memories of OHS, so a group of Philo alumnae who attended convinced Beryl to form an alumnae group. This group performed for many years under Beryl’s direction and continued after her death (1972) under the direction of Lois Scriber, who was the first student accompanist for Philos when they began. The group continued to meet until about 2002. They reunited in 2006 one last time to sing for Lois’s funeral.
I never had Beryl in school because she had already retired. I knew her because she was my backyard neighbor. When I was preparing to go to Crane School of Music to become a music teacher, we spent many afternoons chatting about how important music in general, and music education in particular, were. She was an inspiration. I can’t begin to estimate how many lives her music touched.
Beryl hill Photos
Michael Moss Photos
TG and the Night Ryders
2026 Entertainment Award Motown Soul Band
About TG and the Night Ryders
The story behind the creation of TG and the Night Ryders began in the winter and spring of 1965, in a chilly modest garage on West 8th Street in Oswego, NY. It was a memorable time for Tim Grant and David McGrath, who were the best of friends. They started playing around with some of the popular songs of the day, Tim on guitar and David belting out the melodies while keeping time on a snare drum. It all felt natural and spontaneous—just a fun way to spend their time together exploring the songs on AM radio.
As time rolled on, David's brother, John, decided to join in. He took up the bass guitar and alongside Tim, who also had a knack for singing, created the harmony and vocal variation stylistically needed at the time. Their vocal blend with David was cohesive, agile and soulful, perfectly suited for the top 40 hits of the day. The three of them would
gather in that garage every week, slowly learning a new tune or two. Before long, they began to entertain the idea of forming a real band, aiming to elevate their casual sessions into something bigger.
They invited local lead guitarist Jim Schneider and drummer Tony Meglino to join them and tossed around a few name ideas like “The Mockingbirds” and “Unusual.” Ultimately, they landed on “TG and the Night Ryders”. In late fall they played their first engagement, a local High School Sorority Semi-Formal at the Oswego County Club. This was followed by a New year’s Eve performance at Canale’s Restaurant, a gift from another local group (The Shadowmen), who secured a more lucrative venue. At some point in the late Spring, they welcomed drummer Dan Batchelor and everything began
to blossom. Their music started blending catchy Motown vibes with the pop-rock hits of the time. The five of them were disciplined, dedicated and focused, putting in the hard work to hone their repertoire, driven by the joy of making music together.
From1966 to1968, TG and the Night Ryders captured the spotlight in Oswego, with their stylish appearance and energetic live shows that showcased infectious grooves and
soulful vocals straight from Motown. The local community responded with unwavering support, celebrating their performances and dedication. We would be remiss in not recognizing Mike “Chunky” Ross, who accompanied the group on many engagements
to introduce the Band at the start of their performances. He was joined by Robert McGrath and John Kelly (M & K Productions) who assisted in set up and take down of our equipment and eventually began sponsoring engagements. Also, the Dorsey
brothers carted us around in their green Volkswagen Van a number of times.
Our last performance took place on June 29,1968 at the Jay Cee Hall on First Street in Oswego, as college and technical schools would leave us at too great a distance to continue playing. However, for 2½ years we enjoyed what we were able to accomplish during that time and are greatly pleased and humbled to be recognized for our labors by the Oswego Music Hall of Fame. Thank you!
TG and the Night Ryders Members
Kickin Up Dust
2026 Entertainment Award Rock Band
About Kickin Up Dust
In 2012, Bob Capeling, Chuck Winterhalt and Chris Hood began jamming together and learning material so they could play out at venues. Eric McIntyre joined them in 2014 and they played their first gig as "Kickin' Up Dust" (the name given to the band by the lead singer Chris Hood). Later that same year, Bob Breese would join them and play bass guitar. The band was beginning to play more venues and learning more songs.
In 2016 Eric McIntyre left the band. The same year, Brian Rusaw joined and became the lead guitar player. The following year John Soukey joined after the departure of Bob Capeling. John became rhythm/ lead guitarist and keyboard player. John and Brian would trade off the roles of lead or rhythm on a song by song basis.
At this point, the band now consisting of Brian Rusaw, John Soukey, Bob Breese, Chuck Winterhalt, and Chris Hood, would go on a stretch of playing many events including NY State Fair and a spring kick off event at Harley Davidson in Adams Center. They also opened for national comedian singer/ songwriter John Valby.
John Soukey left the band in 2022 and Morris Kuzio joined, playing keyboards. Later in 2023, Morris and Chuck both left the band and Ginger Bieganowski came on board as drummer and vocalist. The band has remained the same since then, with Brian, Bob, Ginger and Chris.
If you go to one of their shows, don't be surprised to see people wearing "Kickin' Up Dust" (or KUD) shirts out on the dance floor having a great time! You'll also see lead singer Chris out on the floor joining the crowd while singing. If you're lucky, he'll sit at your table while singing, up close and personal! The band loves to interact with their fans.
If you ever get a chance to see this talented and entertaining band perform, you won't be disappointed and will have a great time listening to the variety of music they play.
Kickin' Up Dust Members
Kickin' Up Dust Photos
KUD fans
KUD
KUD
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