Onward
What this organization's goals really are is to establish a Florida Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, Honoring and preserving the legacy of all music industry people from musicians to writers and from performers to promoters who have roots in Florida and have contributed in a way that made a difference in our musical heritage. Our task which lies ahead is channeling the positive energy of a few to honor and cast in stone enabling future generations to remember the many who have contributed through their art by sharing their diverse talents in music with Florida and the world!

An Idea
Georgia had a Hall of Fame, but Florida didn't! It didn't make sense as many of the artists honored by the Georgia Music Hall of Fame actually were from Florida or started their careers in the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida! This project is bigger than any one person mentioned in this initial listing of founding members of the Board, or any one person or persons involved in the Music of Florida! We will be happy to listen to any positive ideas.

So it has been written, so it shall be done
From Classical Music to Jazz to the works of music legends like Ray Charles and Steven Foster to Southern Rock pioneers like the Allman Brothers and Tom Petty and from Country Rock icons such as Jimmy Buffett to Latin Rock's Miami Sound Machine with Gloria Estefan and others like them, will finally be honored, recognized and remembered for future generations.

Keeping it positive - Getting it done
Now that the core of the ever growing group of professionals heading up the Board of Directors is assembled, Florida will very soon have a Hall of Fame all its own. Some of the Florida businessmen and music professionals serving on the board at the Florida Music Hall of Fame and taking action now are among the following:

Board of Directors

• Doug Cifers — Chairman & Founding Board Member - President & Publisher JGC Development, LLC (formerly Florida Media Inc) Lake Mary, FL 32746 - Editor and publisher of Florida Monthly and other Florida publications—Real Florida, Florida Homes & Lifestyles, Florida Fishing & Boating Guide, Florida Spring Training Guide, and a dozen more—explores, preserves and celebrates Florida's heritage each month. http://floridamagazine.com ~ Publisher@FloridaMagazine.com

• Joakim "Jay" Nordqvist — Vice Chairman & Founding Board Member - CEO, Co-Owner, and a Principal Engineer at GSE Engineering. Jay has over 30 years of experience in providing geotechnical, structural, and environmental engineering consulting services to a wide variety of clients, both public and private. Jay earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida in 1985, and is an active member of the A.S.C.E, Urban Land Institute, and the Florida Brownfields Association. He is also active in local civic organizations including the Rotary Club. gseengineering.com

• Charlie Souza — Board of Directors & Founding Board Member - Webmaster / Social Network Editor - Bassist/Musician, songwriter & vocalist in The Tropics, former bass player with Tom Petty-Mudcrutch, former Bassist/Vocalist for the New Rascals and author of LiveYourDreamBook.com & TampaBayMusicRoots.com. TampaBayMusicHall.com ~ CharlieSouza.com

• Vance W. Kidder — Board of Directors - Vance is a semi-retired attorney who has practiced environmental law since 1973. An uninspired piano and french horn student in his youth, as an adult he has an avid interest in music and is a collector of old records, especially jazz records. Law Firm, Tallahassee, FL

• Cris Cifers — Director - Gainesville Site Manager and Oversight Commitee Vice Chair. http://floridamagazine.com

Board Members

• Henry Paul— Board Member - Musician, writer, vocalist with The Outlaws, Henry Paul Band and Black Hawk. Origionally from Tampa, Florida, Henry and Jim Fish formed the country rock group Sienna with future Outlaw members Monte Yoho and Frank O'Keefe. Clive Davis of Arista Records discovered them and signed them to their first record deal. Their debut album quickly went gold on the success of hits like "Green Grass and High Tides," and "There Goes Another Love Song." HenryPaul.com

• Jeff Lemlich — Board Member - Has appeared in several films, including "Deep City: The Birth of the Miami Sound", "The Record Man", "Invisible Bands" and more! Jeff, former long-time TV news producer does projects which include music reissue and selling rare records to collectors worldwide. Lemlich is a journalist and author. https://savagelost.com

• Mike Boulware — Board Member - Gainesville Music History Foundation Treasurer & Director, Museum Curator & Music Historian.
Throughout the years, Mike has continued to collect and preserve musical instruments, including items now on display in The Big House, the museum for the Allman Brothers Band, in Macon, Georgia. GMHFI.org

• Danny Roberts — Board Member - Musician, Writer, Vocalist - A member of Mudcrutch from 1972 to 1975, recorded with Tom Petty at Leon Russell's Studio in Tulsa & helped get the band rockin'! Danny also played with Derek Trucks for 3-years in the early nineties. music.fandom.com

• Marvin Boone — Board Member -"Marvelous Marvin" Famous Tampa Bay DJ at Hits 106 and Drummer Extrordinare - Tampa Bay Area Radio Stations. (On Air Personality) RadioYears.com

• Michael Ray FitzGerald — Board Member - Author, Musician - A chronicler of North Florida's music legacy.
"Jacksonville and the Roots of Southern Rock," heading toward a second printing from the University Press of Florida.

Advisory Board

• Larry Cohen - Advisory Board Member - Chairman of the Board at North Florida Music Hall of Fame. Owner and Agent at Larry Cohen Productions Jacksonville, FL larrycohenproductions.com/NFM

• Wayne Hunnicutt - Advisory Board Member - Flashback Management - Wolfman Jack Entertainment - National Booking Agent for Major Acts. https://www.flashbackmanagement.com/

• Walt Kulwicki - Advisory Board Member - Chairman and Founder of the Saint Augustine Music Hall of Fame, dedicated to sharing the history of Saint Augustine's rich music history! SAMHOF.com/

Contributors

• J.M. Dobies — Creator of Florida Rocks Again! Every Saturday night 8-10 p.m. Eastern Time on its flagship station, Surf 97.3 in Flagler Beach, Florida. Also available via the TuneIn app. Hosted by Mal Thursday, written and produced by J.M. Dobies, co-produced and curated by Jeff Lemlich, with executive producer David A. Karlin. Streaming at www.flaglerbeachradio.com

• Dorothy Famiano — Former Secretary & Board Member - Registered agent, Strategic Content Production | Social Media Strategist Writer | Editor caktusgroup.com

• Kevin Gartland — Former Executive Director & Co-Founding Member * Former members include Scott Richard & Terry J. Mohr.

• A. Paul Johnson — Former Board Member - A classical composer, conductor, writer and director and has appeared as guest artist for regional theaters and music organizations. His art has graced the stages of Indiana Repertory Theater, Syracuse Stage, Arkansas Repertory Theater, Manhatton Plaza and at an encore performance at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg with FUZION Dance Company. apauljohnson.com/

In Rememberance

• Tedd Webb — Former Board Member - May he Rest in Peace - There is no better recognized media personality in the Tampa Bay area! Tedd has received numorous awards during his career including the prestigeous "Communicator of the Year" from Toastmasters International and Hispanic Heritage Man of the Year in Media for 2001. Currently the Morning Show host with Jack Haris and Sharon Taylor on Newsradio 970 WFLA and formerly a DJ at WALT, WFSO, WLCY, WDAE ond more! http://TeddWebb.com

• Joe Lala — Former Board Member - May he Rest in Peace - Professional actor and musician and Blues Image percussionist. Has played with more major artists than we can list including Stephen Stills, Bee Gees. Poco, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, & The Allman Brothers.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

• What the public and the music industry want from the Florida Music Hall of Fame & Museum
is what the board will strive for and that is what really matters.
If you would like to get involved and help build this organization or make a donation, e-mail us at FLMusicHall@Gmail.com

BACK