Hall of Fame Award
The Barbershop Harmony Society Hall of Fame was established by action of the Society Board of Directors in 2003 as a means of bestowing Society recognition and honor to members and quartets — living or dead — for exceptional contributions made that have enhanced the lifeblood of the barbershop experience for the Society.
Any living or deceased Society member, Society staff member, or Society quartet is eligible for nomination, with limited exceptions. Quartet nominations are considered to be for the quartet as an entity and not as individuals. There is no maximum or minimum limit on the number of inductees in a given year.
Nominations may be submitted at any time by any current Society member. Honorees are selected by a majority vote of a five-person committee, each committee member serving a five-year term. Terms are staggered so that each year, the Society CEO selects the replacement for the retiring committee member. The criteria used by the award committee fall into general categories of music and administration or leadership.
To submit a nomination for the HOF, review the full eligibility criteria below and complete the online nomination form.
Additional letters of support, documents, and attachments may be submitted via email to HOF@barbershop.org.
Eligibility for consideration in the Hall of Fame
Any living or deceased Society member or Society Staff member is eligible for nomination, provided the following prerequisites are met:
- An individual must have at least ten years of Society membership or ten years of service on the Society Staff.
- Consideration may be given in the event of exceptional contributions made during a period of less than 10 years that were halted by serious illness, injury, or death.
- Any Society quartet is eligible for nomination, by quartet name and the names of the members.
- If a quartet selected for induction has changed personnel, the number of members in the quartet named to the Hall of Fame might exceed four.
- Honorary Members and all other non-Society members are not eligible for nomination.
Hall of Fame Selection Criteria
- The criteria for selection include the general categories of music and administration/leadership.
In the area of music, contributions would be important in judging, arranging, composing, chorus directing, coaching, and singing.
Administration/leadership would include service as an officer, advisor, near-range and long-range planner, writer, or editor.
Philanthropy, defined as financial contributions, would not solely be the basis for selection to the Hall of Fame.
- Nominations of an individual or quartet may be made by any Society member and submitted to the Hall of Fame Committee. A quartet nomination is not considered a nomination of individuals, but rather of the quartet entity.
A majority vote of the Hall of Fame Committee will determine selection.
There shall be no limit as to the number of inductees during any given year.
There is no requirement for one or more inductees to be selected each year.
While they may be nominated, the Hall of Fame Committee may not induct either a sitting Society President or a member of the Hall of Fame Committee.
Once the Hall of Fame Committee selects the candidate(s) they wish to induct into the Hall of Fame, the list of candidate(s) shall be submitted to BHS for final approval by the Society CEO. Once the candidate(s) have been approved, the Committee shall contact the candidates to arrange the procedure for the candidate(s)’ announcement and presentation. The Hall of Fame Committee and Society staff shall coordinate the advance announcement of the inductees in an appropriate manner and at appropriate times. The announcement presentation shall be made by the Committee chair and the Society President at the BHS International Convention.
Questions?
Send an email to HoF@barbershop.org.
Hall of Fame Honorees
2025 Mark Hale
2024 Steve Armstrong, Aaron Dale, Tom Gentry, Clay Hine
2023 Renee Craig, Vocal Spectrum
2022 Joe Connelly, Tony De Rosa, Tim Waurick
2020 Alan Lamson, Kevin Keller
2019 Dr. Jim Henry
2018 The Easternaires, Dr. Ray Danley
2017 Dr. Robert G. (Rob) Hopkins
2016 John Douglas Miller, The Four Renegades
2015 Dealer's Choice
2014 Morris Franklin "Mo" Rector, Boston Common, 139th Street Quartet
2013 Greg Backwell, Dr. Greg Lyne, Charles David "Bub" Thomas
2012 The Bluegrass Student Union, Jay Giallombardo, Rudy Hart, Lon Laurel, Dr. Drayton Justus
2011 Earl Moon, Jerry Orloff
2010 Willis Diekema, Darryl Flinn, Mac Huff, Lyle Pilcher, Mid-States Four
2009 Gene Cokeroft, Hugh Ingraham, Roger Lewis, Richard Mathey, Jim Richards, Burt Szabo
2008 The Gas House Gang, George L. Shields, Dan Waselchuk, David Wright
2007 Larry Ajer, The Confederates Quartet, Joe Liles, Lloyd Steinkamp
2006 Don Amos, S.K. Grundy, Warren "Buzz" Haeger, Walter Latzko, Marty Mendro, Lou Perry, Hal Staab
2005 Jim Clancy, Joe Stern, Dave Stevens, Dr. Robert D. Johnson, Jim Miller, The Suntones Quartet, Ed Waesche
2004 Carroll Adams, Dr. Harold "Bud" Arburg, The Buffalo Bills Quartet, O.C. Cash, Floyd Connett, Phil Embury, Rupert Hall, Val Hicks, Freddie King, C.T. "Deac" Martin, Geoffrey O'Hara, Maurice "Molly" Regan, Dean Atlee Snyder, Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, Wilbur Sparks, Frank Thorne