Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame

This page highlights many of the ways the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame is active in the community.

Year 2024

The Hall of Fame donated $450 to the Terre Haute North High School Band Boosters.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Otter Creek Middle School Band Boosters.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the West Vigo Middle School band.

Year 2023

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have faced lower revenue and rapidly rising costs.  For the first time, we didn’t make any cash donations during the year.  However, for the first time since 2019, we were able to hold the Picnic & Jam.  The Hall found other ways to be active in the community.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam event and donated them to local food banks.

Year 2022

Blues at the Crossroads held a KidsZone at the festival this year.  The Hall of Fame donated $200 to help with expenses.

The Hall of Fame once again donated $300 to the Zorah Shrine Transportation Group.  This group provides families with free transportation to Shriners Hosptials in the region.

The Hall of Fame donated $100 to sponsor a hole in the Silent Men Golf Tournament.  This organization provides Christmas food baskets for the needy.

Year 2021

2021 saw a continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We were able to hold the 2021 Induction Ceremony in the fall (instead of the spring), but had to once again cancel the Picnic & Jam and lose the revenue.  However, the Hall continued to be active in the community.

Nonprofit organizations have been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic, so in an attempt to provide a little relief, the Hall of Fame donated $200 each to the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, Terre Haute Historical Society and Swope Art Gallery.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their 2021-2022 program for $300. This was the fifth time we supported the organization.

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to the 12-Points Revitalization Committee, which will help support the arts in the area.

The Hall of Fame once again donated $100 to the Silent Men organization to help provide sponsor their golf tournament fund raiser at Rea Park. The Silent Men use their funds to fill and distribute food baskets to the needy during the Holiday Season.

Year 2020

2020 was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic.  All activities ceased for three months in the spring, and we had to cancel the 2020 Picnic & Jam, losing the revenue that it generated.  In spite of this, the Hall continued to be active in the community.

The Hall of Fame donated $300 to a local fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior Project, which is dedicated to helping wounded veterans.  HOF members Victoria Birchfield, Robert Lane and Gary Shull, along with Jon Adams, donated their time to play for the fundraiser.

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to the Riley Lions Club to help sponsor their Second Chance Prom.  Proceeds from this event went to support local Veterans support groups.

The Hall of Fame donated $300 to the Zorah Shrine Transportation Group.  This group provides families with free transportation to Shriners Hosptials in the region.

The Hall of Fame donated $100 to the Silent Men organization to help sponsor their golf tournament fund raiser at Rea Park.  The Silent Men use their funds to fill and distribute food baskets to the needy during the Holiday Season.  The Hall has become a regular supporter of this organization.

Year 2019

The Hall of Fame continued its support of the Silent Men organization's food basket drive with a donation of $100.

The Hall of Fame continued its support of the Shrine Childrens Hospitals with a donation of $250.

The Hall of Fame donated $100 to the Susan G. Komen Crop for the Cure event.

The Hall of Fame donated to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children's Choir.  This was our fifth sponsorship.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Marshall, IL, high school band.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Paris, IL, high school band.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their 2019 program for $300.  This was the fifth time we supported the organization

The Hall of Fame donated $100 each to the Shrine Transportation Group, Children’s Hospitals, and to the Shrine Club for all they do to support the Hall.

Year 2018

The Hall of Fame donated $50 to the Susan G. Komen Crop for the Cure event.  This is the second time we have donated to this charity.

the Hall of Fame donated $500 to the South Vermillion Band Boosters to help with band instrument repair and other expenses not covered by the school.  HOF Board member Mark Wright presented the check to South Vermillion band director Erika Stepp.

The Hall of Fame donated $125 to the ISU Community School of Arts to sponsor a child for their summer program.  This is the second time we have sponsored a child.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the West Vigo High School Band to help with band instrument repair and other expenses not covered by the school.   HOF Board members Mike White, Randy Winkler, Jesse Richey and Andrew Hayes presented the check to West Vigo band director Chris Gelb.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their 2018-2019 program for $300. This was the fourth time we supported the organization.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam and donated them to the St. Patrick's and the 14th and Chestnut food banks.

The Hall of Fame was recognized for its efforts in the community by the creation of a brick piano that was placed at the main entrance to the downtown Terre Haute parking garage at 6-1/2 Street and Wabash Avenue.  The sculpture has a plaque honoring the men and women of the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame.  The Hall donated $500 to assist with the project.

Year 2017

A group of Hall of Fame Board members, headed by Mark Wright, manned a “musician” table at Riley Elementary School’s career fair.  They distributed handouts and talked to students about the value of learning to play a musical insturment.

The Hall of Fame donated $50 to the local Susan G. Komen Crop for Cancer event.

The Hall of Fame partnered with the Terre Haute Children's Museum for the third time to hold a musical instrument petting zoo, where children could handle and play many types of musical instruments.  We hosted nearly 80 children!  Thanks to HOF board member Mark Wright for coordinating this event.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Silent Men organization to help provide food baskets to the needy during the upcoming Holiday Season.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam and donated them to the St. Patrick's food bank.

The Hall of Fame continued an annual tradition that started in 2010 by donating $150 to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children’s Choir.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Terre Haute Boys and Girls Club to support their music program.  HOF Board member Mark Wright presented the check to the club.

The Hall of Fame continued its support of the Shrine Childrens Hospitals with a donation of $100.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Sullivan High School Band Boosters to help with band equipment repair and other expenses not covered by the school.

Year 2016

The Hall of Fame continued its tradition of collecting canned goods at our annual induction ceremony and donating them, along with leftover food, to local charities and food banks.

The Hall of Fame purchased 20 music stands for about $350 and donated them to the Shakamak Junior-Senior High School music programs.  This small rural school in Jasonville, IN, had stands that were falling apart, and no funds to replace them.  Chairman of the Board Andrew Hayes, along with Board members Larry Velez and Mark Wright made the presentation.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the North Vigo High School music program to assist in purchasing a new sound system.  This new system will not only help the various school bands as they perform locally, but will also help them at county and state-wide competitions.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam and donated them to the Providence Food Center in West Terre Haute.  We also donated space for the Terre Haute North High School Band Boosters to setup a booth to sell smoothies as a fund raiser for their organization.

The Hall of Fame donated $300 to the Shriners Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

The Hall of Fame donated $100 to the ISU Community School of Arts to sponsor a child for their summer program.

The Hall of Fame donated $25 to the Terre Haute South High School Band Boosters for their winter guard program.

The Hall of Fame donated $50 to the Terre Haute Children's Choir.

Year 2015

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual induction ceremony and donated them, along with leftover food, to the 14th & Chestnut Community center.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their annual brochure. This was the third time for we supported this organization.

The Hall of Fame partnered with the Terre Haute Children's Museum for the second time to hold a musical instrument petting zoo, where children could handle and play many types of musical instruments.  Because of the huge reponse for the first petting zoo, we were given a much larger room, and it was needed!  Thanks to HOF board member Mark Wright for coordinating this event.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra raise funds by purchasing advertising in their 2015-2016 program book for $100. This was the third time we supported this organization.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Shriners Children's Hospital, $100 to the Zorah Shrine transportation group and $200 to the Zorah Shrine in recognition of all they have done for the Hall.

Year 2014

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at the Induction Ceremony and donated them, along with any leftover food, to local charities.

The Vigo County Commissioners proclaimed February 9, 2014 to be the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame Day!

Westminster Village, a non-profit organization in Terre Haute, IN, asked if the Hall of Fame could provide musicians to donate their time to play at an Open House. HOF members Mark Wright, Randy Winkler, John Moore, Robert Lane and Andrew Hayes donated their time and equipment.

The Hall of Fame partnered with the Terre Haute Children's Museum to hold a musical instrument petting zoo, where children could handle and play many types of musical instruments.  There was a large turnout, and everyone had a great time!  Thanks to HOF board member Mark Wright for coordinating this event.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam event.  We donated boxes of canned goods to the Light House Mission and the St. Patrick's soup kitchen.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the transportation group at the Zorah Shrine.  The money will be used to transport patients and their families to and from the various Shrine hospitals.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Terre Haute Children's Museum toward the purchase of a giant floor piano (like the one used in the movie "Big").

Year 2013

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children's Choir. This was our fourth sponsorship.

The Hall of Fame provided judges for the annual Texaco Challenge singing contest.  The Hall of Fame provided three judges for each semi-final event and the finals at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.  This was the sixth year for us to provide this service.

The Hall of Fame continued its support of local music organizations by making contributions to the Terre Haute Symphony and the Terre Haute Concert Band.

The Hall of Fame collected canned goods at our annual Picnic & Jam event.  We donated four boxes full to the Bethany House.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Shriners Hospital for Children.

The Hall of Fame donated $100 each to the Silent Men and Catholic Charities to assist with Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, and $100 to Toys for Tots.

Year 2012

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children's Choir. This was our third sponsorship.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their annual brochure for $300 and contributing $150 to their annual Festival of Community Bands.  This was our second year to support the organization.

The Hall of Fame provided judges for the annual Texaco Challenge singing contest.  The Hall of Fame provided three judges for each semi-final event and the finals at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.  This was the fifth year for us to provide this service.

The Hall of Fame supported the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra by purchasing advertising in their 2012-2013 program book for $250.

The 8th Avenue Baptist Church asked if the Hall of Fame could provide musicians to donate their time to play at a 9/11 memorial service. HOF members Terry Wenzel, Roger Cox and Robert Lane, along with other Wabash Valley musicians, played at the event.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis, MO.

Year 2011

The annual Colgate Challenge singing contest hosted by WTHI radio gained a new sponsor and became the Texaco Challenge.  They also added two two semi-final rounds in addition to the finals at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.  The Hall of Fame provided three judges for each round.  This was the fourth year for us to provide this service.

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children's Choir.  This was our second sponsorship.

The Hall of Fame helped the Terre Haute Community Band raise funds by purchasing advertising in their annual brochure for $300 and contributing $150 to their first annual Festival of Community Bands.

The Hall of Fame donated $500 to the Shriners Burns Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.

Year 2010

The Hall of Fame commissioned the design and construction of a permanent wreath to be displayed at the funeral home whenever possible for deceased Hall of Fame members, to show our respect to the deceased members and their families.  The Board of Directors deliver the wreath to the funeral home and retrieve it afterward.

The Hall of Fame created a Facebook page to give us flexibility that our web site cannot offer.  For example, we can quickly share our activites and events with the community, something people have been requesting for quite some time.  It also allows for sharing of information by our members.

The Hall of Fame provided three judges for the annual Colgate Challenge singing contest hosted by WTHI Radio and held at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.  This was the third year for us to provide this service.

As schools announced more and more budget cuts, the Hall of Fame recognized that music programs would suffer.  Feeling that the Arts, and in particular music, are an important part of a child's education, the Hall of Fame decided to do what we can to support music programs in Wabash Valley schools.  We will look for opportunities to contribute to local schools in ways that are within our abilities, and we started the "Keep Music In Our Wabash Valley Schools" fund to help provide funds to make these donations.  We invite you to assist us by sending a tax deductible gift to the Hall of Fame, to be placed in the fund.  There are no administrative costs, so 100% of your donation goes to help schools.

In response to many requests about assisting local musicians with buying, selling and trading used musical equipment, the Hall of Fame organized and held the first annual Musicians Community Swap Meet in the parking lot behind the Music Shoppe in Terre Haute, IN.

Miller's Merry Manor nursing home in Sullivan, IN, asked if the Hall of Fame could provide musicians who would donate their time to to play for a special celebration they were holding. Hall of Fame members Terry Wenzel, Dennis Sickler and Robert Lane entertained residents, staff, volunteers and guests.

The Hall of Fame donated $150 to sponsor a child for the Terre Haute Children's Choir.  This is a great organization that brings our youth together through music.

Year 2009

The Hall of Fame donated an electronic keyboard and 12 Hall of Fame tee shirts to the Mark Leo Reed Youth Center in Sullivan, IN.

The Hall of Fame purchased a brick to benefit the Terre Haute Children's Museum's building fund.

The Hall of Fame provided three judges for the annual Colgate Challenge singing contest hosted by WTHI Radio and held at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.  This was the second year for us to provide this service.

Year 2008

The Hall of Fame provided three judges for the annual Colgate Challenge singing contest hosted by WTHI Radio and held at Fairbanks Park in Terre Haute, IN.

The Hall of Fame launched a web site at www.wabashvalleymusicianshof.com to share our mission and our story, photos, and other information of interest to our members and the community at large.

Since its inception, the Hall of Fame has held only one event per year - our annual induction ceremony.  The Hall felt the need to give something back to the community, and started a new annual event, the Picnic & Jam, where people can enjoy good food, good company and great music, all with no admission charge.

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Hall of Fame Inductees
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We Need Your Help!

Please join us as we work to make a difference in the Wabash Valley! 

The Hall of Fame is committed to giving back to the Wabash Valley, particularly the children.  This page lists some of the ways we have done this.

We hope you will consider making a donation to help us do even more.  You can make a contribution directly from our Facebook page by clicking the Donate button. Also, you can mail checks or money orders to the address on the Contact Us page or give it to a Board member.

There are no administrative costs, so 100% of your donation goes to help others, and your donations are tax deductible.

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