The nominees for the third annual Pittsburgh Rock ‘N Roll Legends Awards, announced this morning, range from the Skyliners in the 1950s to Rusted Root in the '90s.
They are:
• Modern Era Legends (solo performer or band with 20-plus years in the business – two inductees): Billy Price, Joe Grushecky, Rusted Root, The Clarks.
• Legacy Legends (solo performer or band with 40-plus years in the business – one inductee): Bobby Vinton, The Jaggerz, The Skyliners, The Vogues.
• Music Industry Professional Legends (producer, promoter, manager, etc., with 20-plus years in the business – one inductee): Henry DeLuca, Joe Rock, Pat DiCesare.
• Music Broadcaster Legends (DJ with 20-plus years in the business – one inductee): Chuck Brinkman, Sean McDowell, Terry Lee.
The awards are presented by and benefit the Pittsburgh-based Cancer Caring Center. The celebration will take place at Stage AE on the North Shore on April 28.
The nominees were selected by an 11-member Legends Nominating Committee with input from an Academy of Voters comprised of nearly 200 local musicians and industry professionals. The most successful iteration of any band is the one nominated.
The winners, announced in February, will be selected through weighted votes cast by the general public and the Academy of Voters. The public can register to receive a ballot by signing up at www.PittsburghRockLegends.com until the voting period begins in January. Only one vote per email address will be allowed and there will be no registrations accepted once voting begins.
Votes will be reviewed and certified by an independent, volunteer third-party panel of judges: a local CPA, a journalist and a federal court judge.
The winners will join 2015 honorees Donnie Iris (Modern Era), Porky Chedwick (Music Industry Professional) and Lou Christie (Legacy) and 2014 honoree concert promoter Rich Engler. The permanent Legends display hangs at the Hard Rock Cafe at Station Square.
The awards show will feature an all-star jam, special VIPs and an auction. Tickets are on sale at www.pittsburghrocklegends.com.
For more about the Pittsburgh Rock ‘N Roll Legends Awards, or to learn more about donating an auction prize, contact the center at 412-622-1212 or info@cancercaring.org.
For information about becoming a sponsor, contact Ida D’Errico Associates at 724-260-5331 or iderrico@comcast.net. Music industry professionals wishing to be considered for membership in the Academy of Voters should email mamiller17@comcast.net.
Scott Mervis: smervis@post-gazette.com.
First Published: November 12, 2015, 1:45 p.m.
Updated: November 12, 2015, 1:48 p.m.