Philadelphia Music Alliance: News

CELEBRATING THE PHILLY SOUND PMF CEREMONIES SHOW THAT LOCAL MUSIC BIZ IS 'FAM-I-LY'
MARY FLANNERY, Daily News Staff Writer

There really was no need for Philadelphia Music Foundation officials to have brought together more than 40 entertainers for the first Philadelphia Music Awards show.

To celebrate the sound of Philadelphia, foundation officials could have simply turned the spotlights on the 2,900 music-lovers in the audience for last night's gala at the Academy of Music.

When Bobby Rydell crooned "Volare," the audience sang back "Whoa-whoa."

When folk singer Jesse Colin Young urged, "Come on people now, smile on your brother," they answered, "Everybody get together . . ."

And when Sister Sledge pounded out,"We are . . ." they shouted back ''fam-i-ly."

"That song has a magic and the audience was in the mood to party," said Kathy Sledge. "I think the people were roused by the acts that were on before us. Each performer was electric."

Every entertainer had a familiar face and every song seemed to strike a responsive chord among segments of the capacity crowd who came out to honor 40 years of Philadelphia music. The event combined performances and the presentation of seven awards for "Best of Philadelphia" popular achievement.

However, the evening lasted an ungodly 3 1/2 hours - one hour beyond schedule - and ended at 11:50 p.m. as organizers attempted to cram rock, rhythm and blues, crooners, folk, jazz and gospel into the program.

Comedian David Brenner, when it came time for his appearance as a presenter, cracked, "Welcome to the second Philadelphia Music Awards show."

Almost anybody who is or ever was somebody in Philadelphia music participated. Frankie Avalon was master of ceremonies. The original members of Bill Haley's Comets were brought together for a "Shake, Rattle and Roll" medley. Billy Paul massaged his hit "Me and Mrs. Jones."

Former TV host Mike Douglas was a presenter. So was Broadway star Andrea McArdle and rocker Todd Rundgren.

Patti LaBelle came out of the audience to receive awards voted by the public as female vocalist of the year and for "On My Own" as record of the year. Other awards voted by fan ballots mailed to the Daily News included Daryl Hall, male vocalist of the year; the Hooters for group of the year and for "One Way Home" as album of the year; Cinderella for new artist of the year, and Bill Cosby as performer of the year. Hall, the Hooters and Cosby were no-shows.

The highlight of the evening was the foundation's honoring of Dick Clark, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. A plaque bearing his name was installed yesterday in the Walk of Fame in the sidewalk on South Broad Street between Locust and Spruce streets. Clark, who began hosting "American Bandstand" here in 1956, said that local support for emerging talent - one of the foundation's purposes - is essential for the development of new performers.

"The hardest thing for a new artist to do is not to give up," said Clark in an interview earlier yesterday. "If they get no support and no help, they will get discouraged and they'll do something else."

"Dick Clark's 'Bandstand' is what I remember of Philly music," said comedian David Brenner backstage. "We all learned to dance by watching his show and we all went to the studio to watch his show."

Brenner, it must be pointed out, appeared to present the performer of the year award. "I don't have any musical talent," he admitted. "I was in the monotone section in school. I ruined the assemblies. When I started singing, everyone else stopped."

Rocker Joan Jett, who served as a presenter, was born here but moved away as an infant. Still, she said she considers herself a Philadelphian. "I find it an honor to be included as part of Philadelphia's music," Jett said.

Many of the top-price tickets ($100) were sold to recording industry executives. But there were a substantial number of music fans who came to the event because simply because they grew up listening to the sounds of this city.

"I have four daughters who grew up with Dick Clark," said Clementine Catrambone, 63, of Mayfair. "I wanted to see him and I wanted to see the stars. My favorite is Frankie Avalon. That's why I bought the tickets."

The foundation, which serves to promote the local music industry and bring young people into the business, received a $100,000 grant from the state last night that was presented by State Sen. Vincent Fumo.

Philadelphia Inquirer
April 1, 1988

11 MORE FOR FAME - IT WAS A NIGHT FOR A CRESCENDO OF TRIBUTES TO THE ADDITIONS TO THE LIST OF THE CITY'S MUSICAL LEGENDS
Ann Kolson and Amy Linn, Inquirer Staff Writers

Gems, glitter, stars and fond memories reigned last night as more than 1,000 people gathered to honor 11 musical legends at the second annual Philadelphia Music Foundation (PMF) Hall of Fame awards ceremony at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel.

It was a night when opera stars, rockers, crooners and jazz greats were officially inducted. It was a night of putting on the glitz. And a time to eat Pasta Seafood Symphony, renew old friendships and praise Philly, praise Philly, praise Philly.

"Any time your career is recognized is an honor, but there can be no honor greater than this," said Eddie Fisher, the smooth-voiced songster whose longtime career was marked by hits such as the six-million seller, "Oh! My Papa." "I don't think I have to tell you how much this means to me. I'm not only appreciative, I'm a little bit in awe. Thank you for taking me into your hearts tonight."

Award winners gave speeches, watched snippets of past performances on special video screens erected for the event, and then picked up their ''Phillys" - brass-and-pewter statuettes in the shape of the PMF insignia, a G clef intertwined with a P. Earlier in the day, bronze plaques bearing their names were dedicated along the Walk of Fame, a stretch of sidewalk on Broad Street between Walnut and Pine.

Pop singer and beach-movie star Frankie Avalon, more tanned than ever, stood outside near the festive ballroom where the awards were given, smiling incessantly. "Even after I come down from the high of this evening, my name will be there on Broad Street. And it will be there when I'm dead and gone."

Avalon and Fisher were joined in the Hall of Fame limelight by the Dixie Hummingbirds gospel group, the Four Aces vocal group; jazz saxophonist Stan Getz and opera singer Anna Moffo. Also honored were late artists Jim Croce, Nelson Eddy, Jeanette MacDonald, Eugene Ormandy and Ethel Waters.

Avalon was not the only South Philly guy present. TV actor James Darren was the evening's emcee. Darren grew up next to Bobby Rydell. And Rydell, who was inducted last year, was there to honor his old friend, neighbor and fellow musician, Avalon. After the gala, one of them joked, they could all head down to Pat's Steaks.

"Is there anyone who didn't come out of South Philly?" Rydell said.

The crowd was filled with record company executives, promoters, family and friends of the stars, and a number of celebrities such as former Sixers star Julius Erving.

There were the graying "once weres," including Gene Raymond, 80, a leading man of the Thirties. "I fell in love all over again," swooned Cissie Hurst, a Philadelphia Music Foundation board member. Raymond flew in from Pacific Palisades, Calif., to accept the Philly award for singer-actress MacDonald, to whom he was married.

There were punked out, "almost there's," like Jade Starling, with her burning bush of hair and tight black mini-skirt.

Starling handed an award to white pompadoured Al Alberts, of the Four Aces, a man who sang hits before the members of Pretty Poison, Starling's band, were even born.

And there were the fans. Lucy and Perry Pickering from Baltimore, members of the Nelson Eddy Appreciation Society, picked up the award for the late tenor and movie star.

Sequined opera soprano Anna Moffo, in a floor length gown, said she was amazed at the number of successful people who come from Philadelphia, and keep coming from Philadelphia.

"I don't think the barrel has even been skimmed yet."

The award winners were chosen from a list of 41 nominees announced in the fall, and were selected from ballots by members of the local music industry. The PMF was founded to celebrate the area's musical heritage, and is chaired by Larry Magid, head of Electric Factory Concerts.

Among the people accepting awards were Ingrid and A.J. Croce, widow and son of Jim Croce, who hit the charts with songs such as "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" and "Time in a Bottle." "His music had a wonderful vitality and when you hear his lyrics you automatically think of Jim and smile," said band leader and songwriter David Bromberg, who presented the award. "He really did put time in a bottle for all of us to hold on to."

Not only performing artists were honored last night. Founders Awards were given to Doug Arthur, a DJ for former pop music AM radio station WIBG; Elaine Brown, director of the Singing City Choir for nearly four decades and Jack Steck, programmer for WFIL-AM radio and Channel 6 TV.

The PMF Institution Award went to the Philadelphia Orchestra.

And Marjorie Samoff, producing director of the American Music Theater Festival, was named recipient for the Hal Weissman Humanitarian Award, named in honor of the PMF's late co-founder and public relations executive. Weissman died in an automobile accident in December.

The night was not without its weird moments. Tug McGraw, in homage to Nelson Eddy, wore a bright red Canadian Mounties suit uniform, and was summoned on stage by emcee Darren, who trilled "When I'm calling youuuuu," from Eddy's signature song.

Tables were decked centerpieces of the PMF insignia and long sprays of flowers. An ice sculpture with the same insignia graced the hors d'oeuvres tables outside the hall.

Rockers Robert Hazard, Tommy Conwell (of Young Rumblers fame) and jazz bassist Stanley Clarke helped present awards. Alberts grinned as he surveyed the scene.

"It's something when strangers tell you about how they admire your work," Alberts said. "But when your friends do it, it's really something special."

Philadelphia Daily News
June 14, 1989

PHILLY SHOWCASE '89 SOUNDS LIKE A WINNER
Jonathan Takiff, Daily News Staff Writer

Three-band concert "showcases" have become a weekly (or twice-weekly) phenomenon in this town. Such packages are an easy way to fill up a club on a midweek night with friends and fans of the featured acts.

But the Philadelphia Music Foundation's three nights of Showcase '89, tonight through Friday at area clubs, are a different beast entirely, restoring meaning to the name "showcase."

For one thing, the nine bands performing under this bright spotlight have all gotten there the hard way, earning their exposure competitively on musical merit.

Tonight's show at J.C. Dobbs features the blues-bashing Go to Blazes (recently relocated from D.C.), the well-seasoned reggae-funkers Scram! (my vote for the band most ready and likely to get a recording deal) and the alternate rock of Naked Twister.

Tomorrow night, a lineup of the cheery guitar-strumming Flight of Mavis, a newly toughed up version of the Daves and the mighty corporate rock of the Rivals are on tap at the Chestnut Cabaret.

Friday night, the catchy pop nuggets of Beat Clinic, the U2-ish Second Generation and heavy-metal Washed share the stage at the Arch Street Empire.

These bands were paired down from 200 entry tapes submitted for approval to the Philadelphia Music Foundation. A semi-finalist grouping of 60 tapes was then judged in a "blindfold" test by area music promoters and fans, says PMF showcase committee chairman Steve Mountain.

Showcase '89 will live up to its name by playing for music industry professionals as well as fans and idle passersby. Representatives of more than 20 record labels will be hovering each night at the clubs, seriously checking out the offerings, looking for the next big thing to break out of Philadelphia

"The town really has become a music mecca again," Mountain says. "More than 20 acts have gotten deals getting deals here in the last five years."

PMF is investing big bucks to make the newest generation of acts look and sound as professional as possible.

Getting New York-based talent scouts from Columbia and Epic, Warner Brothers, Elektra, Atlantic, RCA and MCA, plus an assortment of indie label reps, music publishers and booking agents to come to Philadelphia for a night or two or three hasn't been easy. Conventionally, the bigwigs demand that a Philadelphia band shlep to Big Apple to play a showcase gig at a dive like the China Club or Cat Club. If they're lucky, the band gets a 45-minute sound check, then plays before a subdued group of strangers. Still they're expected to put out a great performance.

To turn things around, to bring Mohammad to the mountain, Mountain's Cornerstone Management crafted a smart promotional campaign for Showcase '89.

First, 164 teaser telegrams were sent to carefully targeted power brokers, followed by copies of an 11-minute tape (compiled by WMMR's Cyndi Drue and Kajem Studio's Kurt Short) that offered snippets of the participating acts without identifying them. "That was done on purpose," says Mountain, "to force people to call up and say, 'Who was that fourth act on the tape?' We even mislabeled the playing time of the tape - to 9 minutes - on purpose."

Bright, tight biographies of the participating acts were then sent out, then another round of telegrams to jog the heavy-hitters' memories.

"We've promised these people we won't try to lure them down here with another showcase until next year," says Mountain. "We're taking our best shots this week. And we're hoping Philly fans will come out to support the efforts, to cheer the groups on."

Shows will start each night around 9 p.m. and be over by 12:30 a.m., with each band playing a 30-35 minute set of their very best material.
*
Showcase '89 admission is $6 each night.

Philadelphia Inquirer
October 17, 1989

WELCOMING 13 STARS OF MUSIC FROM ED MCMAHON TO TODD RUNDGREN: THE WALK OF FAME HONORS ALL SORTS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY'S MUSICAL HERITAGE.
Joe Logan, Inquirer Staff Writer

"This," said Ed McMahon, nodding toward his new plaque on South Broad Street, "means I'm here. I started here 40 years ago and nobody knew I would make it. Well, I made it, and I'm here to celebrate."

McMahon, Johnny Carson's longtime Tonight Show sidekick, was one of 13 current and former Philadelphians to be cast in bronze and set in stone yesterday in recognition of his contribution to the city's musical heritage.

Set in the sidewalk, actually, down at Broad and Spruce Streets.

In ceremonies under a hot noontime sun yesterday, the Philadelphia Music Foundation unveiled nine 16-by-22-inch bronze plaques in honor of the 13 men and their accomplishments. The PMF "Walk of Fame" now consists of 30 plaques and stretches along Broad from Walnut to Spruce.

Cited were jazz bassist Stanley Clarke, pop singer Al Martino, the five- member soul group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, crooner Teddy Pendergrass (who before going solo was also a member of the Blue Notes), rock star Todd Rundgren, writer-producers Kal Mann and Dave Appell, pianist Andre Watts, TV personality McMahon and the late classical composer Samuel Barber.

"I consider myself a Philadelphian," said McMahon, who brought three of his daughters, a son and two grandchildren to the ceremony. McMahon, a native of Detroit, spent much of his youth here and launched his television career at WCAU (Channel 10).

McMahon's entry into the PMF Walk of Fame has nothing to do with his own musical talents: It has to do with the aspiring musicians whose careers he has helped launch via his syndicated TV show, Star Search.

"Oh, I once sang, not notably, but I sang," McMahon said. "But if you could get in my shower with me, you'd still hear some good work."

Though Mayor Goode could not make the festivities, his requisite proclamation was read in absentia. He cited the PMF for its work in bolstering the city's image, its scholarship programs and its impact on the music scene, and concluded by declaring yesterday "Philadelphia Music Foundation Day."

The afternoon ceremonies were but a prelude to the foundation's black-tie gala at the Hotel Atop the Bellevue. There, each of the entertainment-business success stories was also to be formally inducted into the PMF Hall of Fame.

Yesterday afternoon, after being introduced to the small crowd that gathered in front of the Atlantic Building at 260 S. Broad St., where the new plaques were laid, Melvin, Pendergrass, Clarke, McMahon, Mann, Appell and Watts each was photographed alongside his latest award.

Nearby was Grover Washington, the internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist who continues to call Philadelphia home. Washington was to receive last night's PMF Hal Weissman Service Award, named for the entertainment publicist and tireless PMF volunteer killed two years ago in an auto accident.

"Hal was the personification of what's good in the music industry," said Washington, who was being honored for "exemplary contributions to the local music community."

"Hal helped everybody, regardless of their musical genre," Washington said. "We all knew him and we all loved him."

Also scheduled to receive an award last night was veteran radio personality Ed Sciaky, who is credited with helping launch the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. He and the late record promoter Harry Chipetz were to be named the recipients of the Hall of Fame Founders Award.

Conductor Peter Nero was to be presented the PMF Hall of Fame Institution Award for his work with the Philly Pops.

Nominees for the PMF awards were chosen by committees of experts from five musical genres - classical, jazz, folk, gospel and popular. The final award- winners were selected through a vote of 1,500 people involved in the area's music industry.

Philadelphia Inquirer
December 5, 1990

THE 4TH ANNUAL PMF AWARDS ANOTHER PIECE OF MUSIC HISTORY TAKES ITS PLACE ON SOUTH BROAD STREET'S WALK OF FAME - SIX PIECES, IN FACT. AND OTHER HONORS GO TO FIVE PHILADELPHIANS AND LOCAL INSTITUTIONS.
Joe Logan, Inquirer Staff Writer

A cold, steady rain drove the daytime ceremonies inside yesterday, but it did not dampen the spirits of the organizers or the recipients of the Philadelphia Music Foundation's Fourth Annual Hall of Fame and Walk of Fame awards.

"Sure, now the sun shines," said one PMF functionary, leaving a post- ceremony luncheon at the Hotel Atop the Bellevue.

Weather notwithstanding, about 200 people turned out at noon in the atrium of the University of the Arts, Broad and Pine, where 10 Philadelphians and local institutions were recognized by the PMF for their contributions to the local and national music scenes. An 11th award was to be presented last night.

Master of ceremonies Jim Vance, the Washington anchorman who graduated from Lower Merion High and Cheyney University, drew a chuckle when he thanked Mayor Goode and State Sen. Vincent Fumo (D., Phila.) for doing the unthinkable, at least for politicians: keeping their remarks exceedingly brief.

But by far the biggest moment of the ceremony occurred when pop diva Patti LaBelle, one of the city's biggest celebrities, led the procession of award- winners through the atrium and onto the stage, all to the funky beat of the Chester High School Marching Band.

LaBelle, positively low-key in a tight black dress, her often-outrageous tresses combed back into a longish flip, prompted applause and squeals, most from several dozen University of the Arts students who had stopped by.

Between Spruce and Pine on Broad, a 16-by-22-inch brass plaque bearing LaBelle's name had been freshly implanted in the sidewalk, along with plaques honoring the five other new names on the Walk of Fame: Gerry Mulligan, Linda Creed, Arthur Tracy, Stan Lee Broza and Efrem Zimbalist Sr.

The Walk of Fame stretches from Walnut to Pine Streets on the west side of South Broad Street and, with this year's additions, consists of 36 plaques. It is the brainchild of the 4 1/2-year-old PMF, a nonprofitorganization that was created to preserve the city's musical heritage, and works to provide music scholarships, internships, job-training seminars, a speakers' bureau and band showcases.

While her plaque was being pelted with rain outdoors, LaBelle was holding court indoors.

"This is wonderful," she said of the ceremony, which was to be followed last night with a gala at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, where more than 800 were expected to attend.

"We artists work very hard to be recognized, so this just makes you work harder," said the flamboyant singer who hit it big in the '60s with the Bluebells and continues as a solo artist - and, in recent years, as an actress.

"Even if I didn't get an award, I would still work hard. It comes from within me - but it helps to get an award."

Following LaBelle, the other Walk of Fame honorees or their proxies stepped to the podium. Three were represented by family members. Accepting the honor for the late Stan Lee Broza, the WCAU-AM program director whose Horn and Hardart Children's Hour aired on the station from 1928 to 1958, were his sons Stanley Broza Jr. and Elliot Lawrence. Stephen Epstein and his daughters Roni and Dana represented their wife and mother, Linda Creed, who died in 1986. The Mount Airy songwriter penned some of the most popular songs of the '70s and '80s, including "You Are Everything," "Betcha by Golly Wow," "The Rubber Band Man" and Whitney Houston's No. 1 hit "The Greatest Love of All." Jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Gerry Mulligan, who played with such greats as Count Basie, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, was represented by his brother, Philip.

Arthur "The Street Singer" Tracy, 87, whose career spanned 60 years in radio, television and recording and included the 1930s multimillion-selling single "Marta," was on hand. And the award for the late Efrem Zimbalist Sr., a violinist and the director of the Curtis Institute of Music from 1941 to 1968, was accepted by Vladimir Sokoloff of Curtis.

At the ceremony, the PMF also introduced recipients of three Founders Awards, given to music-industry members for their contributions to local music. They were Richard Barrett, a producer, performer, writer, arranger and manager who has worked with such acts as Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Isley Brothers and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes; Harold Lipsius, owner of Universal Record Distributing and the old Jamie and Phillies record labels, and Daniel Webster, The Inquirer's classical-music critic for 27 years.

The 28-year-old Philadelphia Folk Festival, the oldest such festival in the country, was cited as winner of the Institution Award.

The PMF's only surprise award, the Hal Weissman Service Award, was to be given at last night's black-tie gala. Named for the late Weissman, a public relations man who donated his time to help launch the PMF, the award goes each year to a Philadelphian who has contributed to the cultural community.

This year's honoree is Fumo, whose position as chairman of the state Senate Appropriations Committee has enabled him to funnel thousands of dollars to city music endeavors.

"I'm honored, gratified and surprised," Fumo, who had been told ahead of time of his award, said yesterday afternoon. "It's rare that a politician gets these things."

Specifically, the South Philadelphia Democrat has landed the PMF $100,000 in state funds for each of its years of existence and has helped procure funds for the annual Luciano Pavarotti/Opera Company of Philadelphia International Vocal Competition; the new University of the Arts book, Philadelphia Images; the Wilma Theater; the Philadelphia Drama Guild; the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pennsylvania Ballet and others.

"If the arts in Philadelphia survive, the city will survive," said Fumo. ''A new stadium costs about $100 million, but cultural institutions can get along with $50,000."

EARLIER INDUCTEES
The Philadelphia Music Foundation began its Hall of Fame in 1987. These are the individuals and groups that were inducted in the three previous ceremonies:
1987
Marian Anderson
Pearl Bailey
Chubby Checker
Dick Clark
John Coltrane
Dizzy Gillespie
Bill Haley
Mario Lanza
Bobby Rydell
Bessie Smith
Leopold Stokowski
1988
Frankie Avalon
Jim Croce
The Dixie Hummingbirds
Nelson Eddy & Jeanette MacDonald
Eddie Fisher
The Four Aces
Stan Getz
Anna Moffo
Eugene Ormandy
Ethel Waters
1989
Samuel Barber
Stanley Clarke
Kal Mann & Dave Appell
Al Martino
Ed McMahon
Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes
Teddy Pendergrass
Todd Rundgren
Andre Watts

Philadelphia Inquirer
November 19, 1991

MUSICAL ALLIANCE'S NEW TUNE
Kevin L. Carter, Inquirer Staff Writer

For the better part of five years, the Philadelphia Music Foundation has honored local legends on its Broad Street Walk of Fame, promoted the area recording industry, and taken calls from residents who wanted to know where to buy a good electric guitar.

It's going to continue to do that.

But the PMF also wants to help high school students learn how to play the piano. It wants to give mid-career musicians financial help that may push them along the road to success.

And it's going to go by a new name. The Philadelphia Music Alliance, as the PMF has been re-christened, will celebrate its new handle with a reception this evening at Independence Blue Cross headquarters.

There are several reasons for the group's name change and "new direction," said Teri Doke, PMA executive director. One of them is money.

"The name was misleading," Doke said. "Foundation says to people that we have money to give, and we did not." When the organization was founded six years ago, she said, the goal was to establish an endowment fund. In today's economic climate, however, "establishing endowments is no longer feasible."

The alliance has recently added seven board members, most of whom come from the corporate sector but have experience with nonprofit groups. They will help the PMA shift its focus toward noncommercial music, which has suffered a chronic money and recognition deficit.

The idea for the change came to Doke this summer after a series of meetings with nonprofit music organizations in the city.

"We were told that there was a need for a service organization in the community, similar to the Dance Alliance," she said. "It made sense to change the name to be in step and in tune with the needs of the music community."

Another major concern is education. Lack of funds has forced the Philadelphia School District, like many other urban districts, to radically
cut its music-education budget.

As a result, a school such as South Philadelphia High, whose music program produced Marian Anderson, Mario Lanza, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Eddie Fisher and scores of Philadelphia Orchestra members, now has just one music teacher.

PMA can't add faculty, but by officially adopting Southern as the site of its new "Music in the Schools" program, it hopes to make a difference.

"What we're trying to do is develop a pilot program that can be replicated throughout the public school system as funds become available," Doke said. ''We wanted to go where the need was greatest and where there was the greatest tradition."

Local jazz flutist Leslie Burrs will hold seminars at the school about once a week and will bring in musicians to demonstrate various genres of music. Doke is also recruiting University of the Arts students to teach instrumental music at Southern.

She said the alliance hopes to set up a 40-instrument keyboard lab at Southern, which has few pianos or other keyboard instruments for students to practice on.

"We need all the help we can get," said William Yeats, Southern's music teacher. "We welcome what (the alliance) is doing."

Among the PMA's other planned projects is establishment of a group insurance plan for professional musicians; publication of a newsletter, calendar and membership guide; lobbying for the creation of a local chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, and creation of a library of books and recordings.

In order to help make these dreams a reality, the organization - which operates on about $500,000 a year, most of it from donations - has begun an aggressive fund-raising drive. Doke hopes to raise an additional $100,000 by summer.

"This is probably the most difficult fund-raising climate I have experienced in 20 years in the business," said Doke, who formerly headed the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum.

Even if the PMA doesn't meet its fund-raising goal, Doke is optimistic about the city's overall cultural climate under the administration of Mayor- elect Ed Rendell.

"One of the things (Rendell has) said is that he would like to see a Spoleto-like music festival here in Philadelphia," said Doke. "I made it a note (to myself), and he will have it."

Philadelphia Inquirer
April 3, 1993

SIDEWALK TRIBUTE TO MUSICIANS HALL & OATES HAVEN'T POUNDED THIS PAVEMENT IN YEARS. THEIR NAMES ARE ON THE PAVEMENT NOW.
Kevin L. Carter, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Even though they're well into middle age, Daryl Hall and John Oates proved that they still can stop traffic.

Back in town to be inducted yesterday afternoon in the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Hall of Fame and its Walk of Fame on South Broad Street, Oates, 43, who now lives in Connecticut, and Hall, 44, now of London, caused a scene that only true rock stars could.
As they crossed the street in front of the Merriam Theater, the cacophony of horns and the loud crush of shouting fans, many of whom drove miles to see the soulful duo, were not exactly music to the ears.

"This is the fifth time I've kissed John," said Jersey City secretary Maureen Frendak, 41. She came, along with four friends, to see her favorite group honored by their home town.

Gene and Susan Ricketts came from Baltimore, camcorder in hand, to meet Hall and Oates.

"There is no other group that plays music like theirs," Gene Ricketts said.

Hall and Oates, a few years past their hit-making prime, were gracious and grateful. "I am so happy that I come from here," said Hall, who is working on a solo album.

"Philadelphia is the source, the inspiration for everything I do."

Hall spoke after brass plaques, embedded in the Broad Street sidewalk and bearing his name and that of his partner of nearly 25 years, were dedicated. Others who received plaques and Philly immortality were Philadelphia International Records executives Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, arranger/composer Thom Bell, the Heath Brothers, jazz-pop singer Buddy Greco, actress Molly Picon of the Yiddish theater, record company founder Bernie Lowe and classical pianist Rudolf Serkin.

The crowd at last night's PMA Hall of Fame awards gala was a bit light of national celebrities, compared to last year, but it did demonstrate a bit of hipness sometimes lacking in the city.

For the first time, a good percentage of the more than 700 attendees at the gala at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza last night wore red ribbons on their lapels, ribbons that signified their support for AIDS research.

Just like the Oscars. Just like the Grammys. Who said Philadelphians were provincial?

On the subject of the Grammys, the music alliance has been trying to start a chapter of the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) here. And Michael Greene, NARAS president and award presenter, had some good news for the city.

"Philadelphia . . . I believe, is really positioned to re-establish itself as one of the great music centers in the United States," he said.

As a result of the PMA's drive to recruit members, Greene said, within a few weeks the city will be eligible to appoint a "national trustee" to NARAS' board of directors. The alliance has recruited about 100 members so far, Greene said. In order to be eligible for national representation, the Philadelphia chapter must sign up 100 voting members, who must meet stricter requirements than ordinary members.

Speaking before the gala, Greene had some words of caution for the PMA's membership drive.

"The easiest part is always the first part," he said. "The alliance has done a very good job so far."

"The real work of the alliance lies in front of it, not behind it. There's a real need for a high-profile person in the music business to become synonymous with the effort," Greene said, citing local Grammy winners such as Boyz II Men and Grover Washington Jr.

Later, at the gala, the Uptown Theater on North Broad Street received the alliance's Institution Award, record and film producer Bob Marcucci received the Founders' Award, and arts patron Emanuel S. Kardon was given the Hal Weissman Humanitarian Service Award.

The PMA also gave 25th anniversary salutes to Kal Rudman's Friday Morning Quarterback, a radio/music tipsheet, and to WMMR-FM (93.3) and Sigma Sound Studios.

For jazz bassist Percy Heath, who, with his brothers Albert, a drummer, and Jimmy, a saxophonist and flutist, were enshrined on the Walk, the afternoon had a special significance.

When he was growing up in South Philadelphia during the '20s and '30s, his home town was segregated.

"We lived next door to an Italian family," Heath, 69, said after posing in front of his plaque on Broad Street, "but we went to different schools."

Young African American men like Heath and his brothers, even though they were some of the best musicians the city had to offer, were not welcome in certain spots on Broad Street, such as the Academy of Music.

But now, his name, and those of his brothers, all jazz greats, will forever be on display along South Broad, among 61 other plaques that dot both sides of the street from Walnut to Spruce.

How things have changed.

"I'm thrilled to be part of this," said Heath, whose brother Albert, nicknamed "Tootie," was by his side. "Philadelphia has been a little slow in realizing that its black artists are important also. It's very good to see that people who contribute to music that is not classical music are honored."

And on a day when civic and musical Philadelphia celebrated itself, at least one Philadelphian was oblivious to the happenings around him.

Standing near Broad and Spruce, half a block from where the crowd formed around Gamble and Huff, was Bharat Patel, 32, a newspaper vendor and resident of Northeast Philadelphia, who immigrated from India a decade ago.

"Who the hell are those guys?" Patel asked, looking at the crowd with a bemused expression. A bystander filled him in.

"So they are big guys, then," he said.

Philadelphia Inquirer
April 29, 1994

A HALL OF FAME TRIBUTE FOR PHILA. MUSIC STARS TEN NEW BRONZE PLAQUES WERE UNVEILED ON THE WALK OF FAME AT BROAD AND PINE.
Ann Kolson, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

First things first: No, Phil Spector, the eccentric, reclusive - and elusive - pop legend did not show up.

"Phil's probably circling the block deciding whether to come in," joked Susan Schulman, Philadelphia Music Alliance executive director, at a midmorning reception yesterday at the University of the Arts' Haviland Hall.
The producer who created the '60s recording technique known as the "wall of sound" and made stars of the Crystals, the Ronettes and the Righteous Brothers, was believed to be in town. Word was that he arrived Wednesday night, in from California to accept the PMA's Philadelphia Award and to have his name unveiled on a bronze plaque embedded with nine others in the sidewalk at Broad and Pine Streets.

At the noon ceremony, however, organizers could only wonder if their guest of honor would show up at the PMA gala scheduled last night at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel. (He did.)

But the warm sun shone on those Philadelphia music legends who did appear. They emerged from gleaming white stretch limousines, attended by friends, family, classmates and former neighbors who remembered them when.

"Joe used to clean out kennels for my husband, a vet," said Ruth Anne Rude, speaking of Harrowgate's Joseph Bonsall, now better known as one of the Oak Ridge Boys. "He sang all the time." Bonsall, in an eye-popping hot pink jacket, and fellow Oak Ridge Boy Richard Sterban, a Collingswood native resplendent in bright purple, had their wives with them, snapping photos. Sterban's mother, Victoria, was there, too, wearing her gold-and-emerald "ORB" necklace.

Others inducted yesterday into the PMA Hall of Fame, and its Walk of Fame along South Broad Street, were rhythm-and-blues pioneer Solomon Burke; jazz singer, composer and pianist Nina Simone (who did not make the trip from her home in Marseilles, France); the Stylistics soul trio; gospel singer Marion Williams; the late composer and lyricist Joe Burke ("Moon Over Miami," ''Tiptoe Through the Tulips"); the late classical composer Vincent Persichetti, and the late jazzman, tenor sax player Charlie Ventura.

They join 65 others whose 16-by-22 inch plaques decorate the eight-year-old Walk, which stretches between Walnut and Pine. Musicians such as Eugene Ormandy, Dizzy Gillespie, Lee Andrews, Hall and Oates, Mario Lanza and Grover Washington Jr. have been honored in past years.

Those inductees present were introduced yesterday during a brief ceremony inside Haviland Hall. Burke, a West Philadelphia native and ordained minister who's being treated for throat problems, arrived late in a floor-length purple satin robe trimmed in gold. Williams, who underwent bypass surgery three weeks ago, sat in a wheelchair and was accompanied by "a truckload" of family and supporters, as one PMA official put it.

Dean Tyler, radio executive and PMA chairman, brought forth the honorees (or relatives accepting on their behalf) in alphabetical order. Williams, a North Philadelphia resident who won the greatest applause from bystanders, last year received a MacArthur Foundation "genius grant" and was a Kennedy Center honoree.

"I didn't think Philadelphia thought about me," she said yesterday. She
thanked her surgeon, Stephen Goldstein, who was among the crowd, and acknowledged a member of her physical therapy team, Herbie Campbell, who got a hand, too.

Of the absent Spector, Tyler said: "Phil Spector is rock and roll; rock and roll is Phil Spector." Then, he added, "We're not exactly sure where he is, but that's Phil Spector.

More awards were to be given out at last night's dinner: Mayor Rendell was named winner of the 1994 Hal Weissman Humanitarian Award. Composer Russell Faith ("Bobby Sox to Stockings"), bassoonist and educator Sol Schoenbach and the late entertainment executive Manie Sacks were also given awards from the nonprofit PMA, a music-education organization dedicated to preserving Philadelphia's musical heritage.

The PMA also awarded Hall of Fame scholarships to 10 University of the Arts music students: Mark Caprioti, Kevin Jacoby, Ron Keith, Pamela Lindenmuth, Aaron Meicht, Kathleen Mitchell, John Moran, James Morris, Nicole Pacifico and Joyell Washington.

Philadelphia Inquirer
May 23, 1995

ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT: MUSIC OF PHILADELPHIANS
Joe Logan, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Next time you're at Philly International, give a closer listen to the airport public-address system. You may hear some familiar voices.

Beginning Thursday night, Boyz II Men crooning "On Bended Knee"; the Patti LaBelle-Michael McDonald duet "On My Own"; Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' toe-tapper "Wake Up Everybody"; and Sister Sledge's anthem "We Are Family" will be among the 15 homegrown acts and composers whose tunes will sound through the terminals in 70-minute bursts - interspersed, of course, with the usual boarding announcements and no-smoking warnings.
"It's just a great way to promote Philadelphia right at the airport," Mary Rose Loney, the airport's director of aviation, said of the facility's new soundtrack.

"In New Orleans, they play jazz at the airport. And when I worked at the airport in Las Vegas, we'd tape stars saying, 'Hi, this is Shecky Greene. Please stand to the left on the moving sidewalk - and while you're in Las Vegas, I hope you'll catch my show.' "

The program will air twice each morning, twice each afternoon and twice each evening. Other local artists performing on the tape are Bobby Rydell ("Volare"); Hall and Oates ("Out of Touch, Out of Mind"); the Stylistics "(I'm Stone in Love With You"); DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince ("Summertime"); Grover Washington Jr. ("Just the Two of Us"); the Three Degrees ("When Will I See You Again"); the Tymes ("So Much in Love"); Billy Paul ("Me & Mrs. Jones"); Jim Croce ("Operator"); Frankie Avalon ("Venus"); and Cyndi Lauper (singing "Time After Time," co-written by Lauper and Philadelphian Rob Hyman).

The idea for the project originated with Ellen Shire, a local filmmaker, who mentioned it to Susan Schulman, exective director of the Philadelphia Music Alliance, a nonprofit promotional group. In no time at all, the PMA had compiled a list of more than 100 performers, songwriters and producers with Philadelphia ties who deserved recognition.

Loney and a committee from the PMA culled the list for the initial tape, factoring in tempo, musical style and genre.

Once the songs were assembled, Dean Tyler, PMA board member and former radio DJ, who now runs WMGK-FM and WPEN-AM, taped the between-song narration identifying each song's local connection.

"Assuming it works, we'll do more tapes," says Tyler. "There's still people like Dizzy Gillespie, Pearl Bailey, Al Martino, the Soul Survivors, Andrea McArdle, the Dovells, Tommy Conwell, Linda Creed, Julie Gold, Janis Ian, Luther Vandross and Joan Jett. And we could do a whole tape of nothing but Gamble & Huff."

Philadelphia Inquirer
May 26, 1995

8 MORE STARS TO GLISTEN IN MUSIC'S WALK OF FAME THE HONOREES INCLUDE A CLASSICAL PIANIST AND GROUPS INVOLVED IN TSOP, "THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA."
Joe Logan, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Bronze plaques for eight more inductees were unveiled on a red carpet along the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame yesterday to honor contributions by local musical acts ranging from the late classical concert pianist Natalie Hinderas to the popular '70s singing group the Delfonics.

"If I don't get another award for the rest of my life. This is the award for me," Delfonics singer Randy Cain told the 200 or so music fans, family members and entertainment industry types who gathered at the Academy of Music over a muggy lunch hour for the eighth annual induction ceremonies.

With yesterday's inductions, 81 bronze plaques now grace the Walk of Fame, which stretches along both sides of South Broad Street, from Pine to Locust Streets, in the area now known as the Avenue of the Arts - or at least they would grace the sidewalk. Because of construction in the area, the plaques have been temporarily placed in storage until the work is complete early next year.

Yesterday's ceremonies were to culminate in a gala awards banquet last night at Terminal D of Philadelphia International Airport, where the Music Alliance was expected to unveil its latest project: a 70-minute, 15-song recording of popular local acts, from Boyz II Men to Frankie Avalon, intended to acquaint 40,000 travelers a day with the city's musical contributions.

As for yesterday's Walk of Fame ceremonies, many of this year's inductees have played integral roles in the string of successful artists and hits of the '60s and '70s that came to be known around the country as TSOP, or "The Sound of Philadelphia."

The Delfonics' Cain, with brothers Wilbert and William "Poogie" Hart, who were central figures in TSOP, first sang together in 1965 as the Four Gents. But they truly burst onto the musical scene big-time in 1968, reborn as the Delfonics, with their debut hit "La La Means I Love You," before going on to have 10 hits on the charts, including "Didn't I Blow Your Mind" and "Ready Or Not Here I Come."

Other inductees included the red-hot rhythm section that backed up the Delfonics: Baker, Harris & Young, composed of Ronnie Baker, Norman Harris and Earl Young. Baker, Harris & Young, who also cut "Saturday Night Fever" and ''Disco Inferno" as The Trammps, laid down the musical tracks for other TSOP groups such as the O'Jays, Jerry Butler, Billy Paul and The Three Degrees.

Also on hand was inductee Joe Tarsia, who founded Sigma Sound studios in 1968. He was the engineer at the controls for many of the top TSOP groups, including the Delfonics, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Stylistics, the O'Jays and Teddy Pendergrass, in addition to Bonnie Raitt, Grace Jones and David Bowie.

Hinderas, the late classical pianist, went on stage at age 8 and toured the world to acclaim as a soloist for years before ultimately returning home to settle down and teach at Temple University.

Also inducted was Chester native David Bromberg, who wowed audiences for two decades as a jazz, folk, rock and bluegrass virtuoso. His acoustic albums, such as Demons in Disguise, generated a large following in the '70s. Bromberg, who was in town for the ceremonies, stopped performing four years ago and lives in Chicago, where he makes and sells violins.

Also in town was Robert Marcucci, who with partner Peter DeAngelis discovered and nurtured Philadelphia teen idols Fabian and Frankie Avalon, as well as crooner Al Martino. Marcucci, a South Philadephian, now lives in Los Angeles, where he is a TV and film producer.

Finally, McCoy Tyner, the Philadelphia native who went on to international acclaim as a jazz pianist and composer, was in Pittsburgh for a performance yesterday and could not attend the ceremonies.

Philadelphia Inquirer
May 10, 1996

HOMETOWN PHILLY FETES THE BOYZ< YOUNG R&B STARS/RECORD PRODUCERS/MUSIC EXECUTIVES HEAD ANNUAL HONOREES LIST.
Dan DeLuca, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

``Over here, Nate!'' ``Smile, Shawn!'' ``We love you, Michael!'' ``Wanya! Wanya!''

The dedication of eight sidewalk plaques in honor of this year's Philadelphia Music Alliance Hall of Fame inductees was souped up with a dose of genuine star power yesterday afternoon.
About 12:15, a white Ford van pulled up at Broad and Locust Streets to disgorge the four young members of Boyz II Men. And from the sighs and shrieks that followed, it was clear that's who the crowd of more than 100 - including a knot of students on the Academy of Music steps - was there to see.

The mega-selling, rhythm-and-blues vocalists - Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Michael S. McCary and Wanya (pronounced wan-YEA) Morris - strode into the Doubletree Hotel to the accompaniment of a brass ensemble from the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, their alma mater. Inside, the Boyz, recipients of this year's Philadelphia Award, were among a group of performers cited for their contribution to the city's musical legacy.

Also generating her share of teenybopper interest was rocker Joan Jett, who was born at Lankenau Hospital and moved to Pittsburgh as an infant. Next to Jett, conspicuous in her wraparound shades and rust-brown dye job, stood white-goateed Philly Pops conductor Peter Nero and jazz guitarist Pat Martino. Also on hand were three members of the classic Philadelphia soul outfit the Intruders, whose hit ``I'll Always Love My Mama'' should be getting plenty of airplay on Sunday.

The late R&B/jazz diva Phyllis Hyman was represented at the ceremony by her sister, Sakinah Ali bint Hyman, and manager, Glenda Gracia. Philly Joe Jones' widow, Eloise, accepted honors for the late jazz drummer. And Deborah Carter Smith stepped up for her late husband, William Smith, who was assistant conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

``When Eugene Ormandy - who we called `The Boss' - got his plaque, Bill said, `Maybe someday they'll put me in the ground, so people can step on me, too,' '' quipped Smith, thanking the PMA.

Nathan Morris, at 25 the oldest of the Boyz, spoke for all four group members. Dressed in shades and a double-breasted gray suit, he thanked their families ``for giving us a true, true environment to get us along in the so-called `Hollywood world'. . . . Philadelphia is the place we take everywhere we go.''

The honorees then moved outdoors to see their plaques unveiled on the east side of Broad, below Locust. In 10 years, the Music Alliance has inducted 90 artists - from opera singer Marian Anderson to conductor Efrem Zimbalist Sr. - and their plaques line Broad between Walnut and Locust.

Jazz bagpiper Rufus Harley tootled away, and Mayor Rendell showed up to press the flesh. Rendell declined requests to sing with the honorees, but said he had followed Jett since ``way back'' and considered himself a big Boyz II Men fan. ``I love the harmony,'' he said.

``This is a moment,'' said JoAnn Stockman, mother of 23-year-old Shawn, one of the Boyz. ``It's wonderful that it's only taken them a few years to get this. . . . They keep making their parents proud.''

Her son - who wore a silver medallion in the shape of a Roman numeral II, the title of the band's hit album - said that the group was focusing on the start-up of its own label, Stonecreek Recordings, in Gladwyne.

``We're busy being producers and CEOs,'' he said. ``But it's great to be appreciated by your hometown.''

The award winners were to be feted at a black-tie gala at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel last night. Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and the mothers of Boyz II Men were scheduled to give the band the Philadelphia Music Alliance's top award. Performances were planned by Jean Carne, doing a medley of Phyllis Hyman songs; rocker Patty Smyth and tennis star John McEnroe, in a tribute to Joan Jett; the Delfonics, singing Intruders hits, and jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno, playing to Pat Martino.

The High School for the Creative and Performing Arts received the Music Alliance's Institution Award, and State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo received the group's Founder's Award. The Music Alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes Philadelphia music.

Philadelphia Inquirer
September 26, 1997

HONORS, HOMETOWN STYLE, FOR PHILA. MUSIC LEGENDS \ MUSICIANS, PROMOTERS AND A TALK-SHOW HOST MAKE THE WALK.
Denise-Marie Santiago, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

The days of sweating in a car, waiting as her sons Michael and Randy finished their music lessons, came flooding back to Sylvia Brecker yesterday.

She looked on as the Philadelphia Music Alliance honored her boys, now Grammy-winning jazz musicians with several albums to their credit, with bronze plaques on the Avenue of the Arts' Walk of Fame. They received the recognition with nine other contributors to the city's music scene.
Before a noonday crowd of a few hundred fans and onlookers standing in front of the Merriam Theater on South Broad Street, saxophonist Michael Brecker, 48, thanked his mother for taking him and his brother, trumpeter Randy, 51, to ``the lessons and waiting in the car.''

She waited because it was too much of a hike to return to the family's house in Melrose Park from the Northeast, where the youngsters took the lessons.

``In the summer, I sat in the heat,'' she recalled. ``In the winter, I sat in the cold.''

How it all paid off for the brothers, who were among the celebrities who came to see their names immortalized and embedded in concrete during the alliance's 10th annual event. The nonprofit group this year joined the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Inc. in honoring the winners with plaques, which now number 100.

The brothers were scheduled to headline a show at a gala ball last night in the Park Hyatt at the Bellevue. The Rock School of the Pennsylvania Ballet was to perform to a piece by a fellow inductee, classical pianist Gary Graffman.

Also on the bill were honorees blues guitarist Leon Redbone, jazz organist Jimmy Smith and rock and rollers the Dovells, all expected to perform for an audience of several hundred.

The event for the public started with attitude from the Conestoga Angels Precision Marching/Drum Corps, whose majorettes shimmied their shoulders and jutted their hips for the honorees.

In the crowd was Grace Butler of North Philadelphia. She lined up early to get a glimpse of the Dovells, who started hitting the musical charts long before the 32-year-old came into this world.

``I love rock and roll,'' said Butler, whose favorite group formed in 1957 and first made its mark with the dance smash ``The Bristol Stomp'' in 1961.

``I have an old soul,'' she added. ``I was born in the wrong era.''

From another era, too, came former talk show host Mike Douglas. The 72-year-old crossed himself when his plaque was unveiled commemorating the years in the 1960s and 1970s that he taped his daytime entertainment and chat show at KYW in Philadelphia.

``I feel wonderful,'' Douglas said. ``It's a big thrill. These were the best years of my life, these 13 and a half years [in Philadelphia.]''

Also recognized yesterday was actor James Darren, the South Philadelphia native who began his career singing in local nightclubs and went on to play a rich surfer boy in several Gidget flicks and a police officer in T.J. Hooker, a television series of the 1980s. More recently, Darren has made a living behind the camera as director for television programs.

Joseph ``Butterball'' Tamburro of South Philadelphia was honored for his years as program director and disc jockey at WDAS-FM radio station, where he started working 35 years ago as an advertising salesman.

Concert producers Larry Magid and Allen Spivak, founders of the Electric Factory, one of the country's first live rock venues, were also honored with plaques. Besides their rock connection, they are involved in Broadway theatrical productions and were American organizers of the 1985 Live Aid concert at JFK Stadium, which raised money for famine relief.

The alliance was scheduled to give other achievement awards at last evening's activities to jazz guitarist Kevin Eubanks, the Avenue of the Arts Inc., and the Philadelphia Folksong Society.

Philadelphia Inquirer
November 18, 2000

A HALF DOZEN INDUCTEES STRUT THE WALK OF FAME
Rashod D. Ollison, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Three years since its last ceremony, the Philadelphia Music Alliance yesterday inducted a half dozen more of the city's musical legends into its Walk of Fame.

The honorees - whose 12-by-16-inch bronze plaques were added to those honoring the other 100 inductees on Broad Street between Locust and Spruce - ranged from a 1950s teen idol to the cowinner of the first Grammy for rap.

Present at the afternoon ceremony outside the Doubletree Hotel were South Philly teen star Fabian Forte, 57; Rob Hyman, 43, and Eric Bazilian, 47, former University of Pennsylvania students who founded the '80s band the Hooters, and producer "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes, 35, who with the Fresh Prince (now better known as Will Smith) won a Grammy in 1988 for "Parents Just Don't Understand."

Also on hand to see their plaques unveiled were Kal Rudman, 70, publisher of the Cherry Hill-based radio- and record-industry publication Friday Morning Quarterback, and composer and arranger Russell Faith, 58, of Bucks County.

Faith, who has written for artists from Frank Sinatra to Loretta Lynn, received a PMA Founders Award in 1994.

A modest crowd braved frequent gusts of wind to hear the short but sweet acceptance speeches.

"Yo, Jazzy Jeff!" screamed one proud fan. "That's my boy right there!"

Another onlooker waved a dog-eared copy of the Hooters' 1985 album Nervous Night.

"Music lives in Philadelphia," Faith told the crowd, "and Philadelphia lives because of the music."

At a reception after the ceremony, Townes flashed his boyish grin often.

"To be honored by my hometown means so much," said the producer, who grew up in West Philadelphia. "I had so many opportunities and temptations to start my career out in California, but I said, 'No, got to stay in Philly.' I get nothing but love here."

Townes is basking in the recent success of the gold-selling debut by North Philly's Jill Scott, which he produced in his Old City recording studio, A Touch of Jazz.

Unlike earlier PMA inductions, this year's class included neither classical nor jazz representatives.

Erin Riley, a spokeswoman for the music alliance, said that the artists recognized at the group's next ceremony (April) would be more diverse.