Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown said there's only 25 music halls of fame in the United States.
A new local initiative is adding another to that roster.
“The Arts and Entertainment Hall of Fame of Luzerne County is now official," said Joe Nardone Sr.
Nardone, a local businessman, musician and promoter of regional talent, was joined by members of the Hall of Fame committee in the lobby of the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre to make the announcement on Thursday, Oct. 20. Academy Award and Tony winners, famous painters and sculptors and local musicians and bands will be honored together in the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame.
The eight-member committee is working to create sub committees to select talent for the inaugural class in the categories of music, film, television, stage, media and art.
Nardone discussed creating a Hall of Fame with Bill O’Boyle from The Times Leader for several years.
"Everybody ... who has roots in Luzerne County, lives in Luzerne County or made an impact in Luzerne County will be considered to be enshrined," said O'Boyle, a columnist and staff writer.
The people who work behind the scenes will also be honored, said Constance Wynn from RACE Team, a committee member.
"We will make you proud with what we bring to the table," she said. “We have faith that this is going to knock people's socks off.”
Specific artists have not yet been selected for induction. Anyone from all genres of art can be nominated. In music, for example, that means Polka musicians to Metal bands.
There is also no physical center for the Hall of Fame, yet. The first class of inductees will be announced in Spring 2023. The following fall, a dinner will be held to induct the artists officially into the Hall of Fame.
Wilkes-Barre council member and preservation society director Tony Brooks said local talent should be celebrated.
“Luzerne County has much to be proud of when it comes to the arts," said Brooks, who is also on the committee. "From a historical point of view, our community has added much to the national and international art scenes over the last 200 years."
The Luzerne Foundation is helping the committee raise funds for the Hall of Fame.
The group is also conducting a logo contest.
For more details, visit the Luzerne County Arts & Entertainment Hall of Fame on Facebook.
