GALLERY: 2025 Eddies Music Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
03/24 @ Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga
All Photos by Debi Gustafson
There is an old saying that membership has its privileges and, to a certain extent, that is typically true. Last night was the Eddies Hall of Fame ceremony, once again taking place at Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs, and I had the incredible privilege of being able to blend between being an attendee, and witnessing the production behind the scenes. The following is just a brief retelling of the evening.
Arriving a little before 5, long before doors opened, Erin Harkes Band was already set up and running through a sound check, although there was no sign of Erin herself yet. No sooner than I began the thought, “I wonder where she is?” Erin appeared, guitar in hand, and immediately all the attention in the room was on her. Jokes flew between Erin and her band, as well as with the crew, and even a phantom voice that echoed through the PA caught a friendly jab, even if she couldn’t tell where it was actually coming from.
Within literally three minutes of walking in the room, Erin was plugged in and ready for sound check. They would be closing out the night’s slate of performances, which made sense; she would be a tough act to follow.
As I got the tour of UPH, I was stunned to see the green room area. Its walls are covered with signatures of past performers, and one could get lost in a sea of admiration whilst browsing the signatures, doodles and other artwork. There was a moment when one of the musicians realized that they also get to sign their name on the wall. Watching them carefully figure out where to leave their mark, may have quietly been my favorite moment of the night.
The air in the green room from all of the performers was, as cliche as it sounds, electric. Some had played there before, but others had never even stepped in the building and were just as much in awe of the space as I was. Being able to witness that, then to head upstairs and watch them perform on the stage, gave a unique perspective that I am grateful to have.
Speaking of upstairs, the reception room before the event was an absolute whos-who of the 518 music scene. Inductees, performers, and attendees all mingled, had a cocktail or two, and a plate of hors d'oeuvres. There were hugs, waves from across the room, and more than one giddy scream of excitement. The support and camaraderie was especially apparent amongst the musicians. While there were some bands/artists that I was not familiar with before the night began, seeing those that I admire and respect, heaping praise on those that came before them, further solidified my love for this scene. The foundation for the 518 music scene was built so long ago, and the Eddies Hall of Fame ceremony is a well-produced documentary of its roots.
The inductees each had a short-film of their story shown on the stage before accepting their respective awards. These shorts delved into the entire history of the band or artist in a way that made you truly feel like you knew them when it was done. I must give mention to whoever produced and shot those , because they were excellent and incredibly informative. You can view the videos on The Eddies website, and I do suggest that you do.
After the videos, the inductee(s) would take the stage and accept their award. It was always cool to see them stand up and walk through the crowd, having just seen a mini-documentary on their music and achievements.
Take Dan Berggren for instance. His music career spans five decades and he has worked with some of the biggest names in folk music, including Pete Seeger. He has done an incredible amount for folk music in not only the 518, but across the world as well, playing for audiences as far away as Zimbabwe and Transylvania, and we get to claim him as our own.
Brian Melick is another inductee who was present to accept his award. Melick is a percussionist who has appeared on over 450 commercial releases. He has charted on the World Music Chart and continues to push the boundaries of innovative percussion techniques.
Members of The Clay People were also on hand to accept their award, which was extra-cool for me. I knew of The Clay People long before I moved to this area from Vermont, so to just be casually hanging out in the room with vocalist Daniel Neet and drummer Dan Dinsmore was surreal. I did manage to keep my cool (I think) when a friend of mine introduced me to Dinsmore.
Other musicians inducted include Stony Creek Band, The Sharks, and Emerald City. Also inducted this year was Charlene Shortsleeve, whose contributions to the local music scene will forever be cemented as some of the most important in Albany's history. Having founded QE2, Shortsleeve is pivotal in not only supporting local Albany music, but also for bringing in regional bands, some of which went on to find national fame like 10,000 Maniacs and The Goo Goo Dolls.
While Sirsy has obviously been a staple in the 518 music scene for over two decades now, my love of local music began with Sirsy back in their earlier years, while I was still living in Vermont. I was hosting the local music show on WEQX and was asked to emcee Sirsy’s Ruby album release party at, what was then, Northern Lights.
Not long after that show, I left radio for nearly a decade. I remember going to see Sirsy a few times during that period, but fearing they wouldn't remember me, never approached them. Then one day, at least a dozen years since the album release show, I caught Sirsy at Gaffney’s in Saratoga. It turns out they remembered me after all. They even played a song off Ruby and dedicated it to me.
They don’t know it, but that was the moment that I seriously began thinking about what would eventually become Unsigned518.
To see the duo – Melanie Krahmer and Rich Libutti – receive their induction into the Hall of Fame was more than just some great musicians getting recognition for me. It was such a full circle moment. I’m sure that there were dozens of others in the room that felt the same about Sirsy, or The Clay People, or The Sharks, or any of the other inductees. These are not just people whose music has helped and shaped countless others — these are also community members, and we are beyond lucky to have them.
To read more about the Eddies Hall of Fame Class of 2025, visit https://theeddiesawards.com/eddies-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025/
