Mid-America Music Hall of Fame

Musical entertainment is a major part of the heritage and lifestyle of the citizens in the Great State of Minnesota. From singing a lullaby to a new born baby to listening to a hymn at a funeral, music is part of our life. Whether it’s dancing a polka at a wedding, rocking in a club, taking in a jazz ensemble at a local venue, swinging to a western beat or attending a large outdoor concert, music etches memories in our minds of important places, times and events.

In 1999, what began as a quest to find members and fans of the Embers, a group that entertained all across central Minnesota in the 1960’s, the concept that was eventually to grow into the Minnesota Rock Country Hall of Fame was born. It soon became apparent that the name wasn’t inclusive enough since all music genres needed to be recognized, not just rock, country and polka! Hence, we became the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame.

Induction shows were held from 2000-2012. During that time, over 100 bands and over 150 individuals were inducted in the Hall of Fame. All told, over 1000 people received this recognition.

Doug and Cindy Spartz provided the funding for these shows and the financial risk. However, the cost of putting on the show and the 6 months of time they had to devote to the task made it more of a labor of love then a financial success.

Eventually the annual event was put on hold. For Doug and Cindy, this was one of the hardest things that they had to do, but Doug’s health was a huge concern, along with the high cost of producing a show and the months of 40+ hour work weeks. Their dedication to the inductees went way beyond just what people saw at the shows, they also did more things behind the scenes to honor people, including countless hospital visits, funeral attendance and helping those that needed help. Finally, they just couldn’t do it anymore.

But the calls continued to come in, names of people who deserved to be inducted, questions about when the next induction show would be, where to go to see the museum and hall displays and notification of yet another loss of one our musical alumni.

Now, we find ourselves with an opportunity to not only resurrect the induction shows, but also add another Hall of Fame location where people can go to see memorabilia and displays (in addition to the wonderful display at the Freeborn County Museum in Albert Lea). We have been gifted by a wonderful lady with all of the signed guitars from past events. These were purchased by her at our auctions and she has donated them back for us to display in the hall of fame. They are priceless, as they are signed by every inductee, many of whom have sadly left us. This got us thinking about the hall of fame and how we can’t let it go.

Doug and Cindy have the perfect building in Pine River that is not only a theater, but has more potential to house and display the Hall of Fame! Pine River is centrally located in Minnesota and sits right in the Brainerd/Walker/Crosslake triangle with numerous resorts, lodging, campgrounds and more.

In order to make this possible, we need to go to all of you for help, as it is no longer a case where this event can be privately funded.

For the first time, we are asking all of you to get involved by donating to get the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame back up and running.

Our short term goals:

• 2016 Hall of Fame Induction Show or shows
• Build display cases for memorabilia and put together a museum quality display of numerous items including (but not limited to) posters, records, stage outfits, musical instruments and more
• Website up and running again and include a virtual museum for those who are unable to travel to either museum site
• Provide a venue for past and present hall of fame inductees to come and perform
• Quarterly newsletter and exclusive membership in hall for fans and inductees alike with schedules, musicians wanted ads, songs, clubs & venues

Our long term goals:

• Provide support in our musical community for those struggling with life
• Revolving fund to continue to produce shows throughout the year
• Seminars and education forums held to guide and educate younger generations
• Produce documentary featuring all the film from our past events

What can you do to help? We need funds to get this going, a donation of any size is important and also we need you to share this fundraising campaign with all of your contacts. The old adage “it takes a village” is so true and that is how we are going to get this our Mid-America Music Hall of Fame back!