element 5 - Community Messages

Apr 20, 2004 - Pittsburgh Music Hall of Fame Website Honors Pittsburgh’s Musical Heritage

In honor of Pittsburgh being named “The Number 1 City that Rocks” in the April 2004 edition of Esquire Magazine, Radio Free Pittsburgh has launched a new web page to recognize Pittsburgh Tri-State area musicians who have earned national and international success. Over 180 individuals and musical groups are recognized from the Jazz, Rock, R&B, Country, Pop, and Classical genres, along with music industry leaders. Artists who have had releases on major record labels, who have had significant national radio airplay and sales, or who performed in the bands of nationally known acts were selected for the list. Club owners, radio personnel, concert promoters, managers, recording studios, music educators, and music writers who influenced the Pittsburgh music scene are also honored for their support of Pittsburgh and national artists. The Pittsburgh Music Hall of Fame page provides links to the websites of the honorees or to published stories about the honorees.

The goal of this page is to demonstrate that Pittsburgh has a rich on-going musical heritage. From “Oh Susanna”, “Take The A Train”, “Blue Moon”, “Moon River”, “Salt Peanuts”, “Five O'Clock World”, “Since I Don't Have You”, “See You in September”, “Hanky Panky”, “The Rapper”, “Could It Be I'm Falling In Love”, to “Send Me On My Way” - Pittsburgh artists have created American music classics. Stephen Foster began Pittsburgh’s musical heritage writing many great American standards. During the jazz age Pittsburgh’s jazz clubs produced a bumper crop of jazz legends. Bands leaders came to Pittsburgh to recruit members for their bands. Gus Greenlee of the Crawford Grill introduced Duke Ellington to Billy Strayhorn creating one of Jazz’s greatest song writing teams. During the Doo-Wop era Pittsburgh produced a number of hit makers and classic songs with Porky Chedwick breaking many acts. During the Rock era John McGahan of WDVE gave airplay to Pittsburgh musicians and produced a wave of hit-makers and respected performers. The Pittsburgh Symphony over its long history is one of the top orchestra’s in the world. Frank Conrad became the world first DJ leading to the creation of the world’s first radio station KDKA. The music world would be much different without the contribution of Pittsburgh’s artists and music industry leaders. Pittsburghers have much to be proud of.

About Radio Free Tunes
Radio Free Tunes is your gateway to a world of great new music. Thousands of talented independent musicians around the world are writing and recording innovative entertaining music. Through the power of the Internet you can discover an entire world of new music that you'll never hear on broadcast radio stations. Radio Free Tunes provides streaming Internet radio stations featuring independent artists and links to music sites, artists, music e-zines, and more.

The Pittsburgh music heritage continues today with half a dozen recording studios, hundreds of recording artists, a lively club and concert scene, a world class symphony, and great music education programs. To promote Pittsburgh great music around the world, the Radio Free Pittsburgh radio station features the music of artists of all genres from the Pittsburgh Tri-state area. Hosted by Artistlaunch.com and FreeWorldRadio.com it has been in operation since December 2002. The music of B.E Taylor, Joe Grushecky, the Granati Brothers, Top Ten Idols, Good Brother Earl, Jeff Miller, Eric James, and more is featured. All Pittsburgh area musicians who request airplay on Radio Free Pittsburgh are played.