Oswego Music Hall of Fame Announces their First Round of 2025 Inductees

OSWEGO – 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.

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