ATTN All: Mr. Winston is absolutely correct. A formal nomination is required and there have been several that have been submitted, formally, for Reece's nomination in the past. I've taken the time to find the URL that specifies the nomination process that must be met for induction. I've also cut and pasted, from this same URL, the method, and who has been chosen as a Board member, of which Mr. Winston actively participates. Here is the URL:
http://www.scottysmusic.com/abouthof.htm
Here is a list of the items required by the Nomination Form and also a list of the current Board Membership, along with the the method by which they are chosen--I was unable to a find term limit, which I guess is lifetime. Dunno:
Nominating Form
1. Name and list the notable artists and bands with whom the nominee has performed and recorded, as well as the duration.
2. Describe any touring history of the nominee, the length of that touring, and the names of touring bands or artists that he/she has performed with. If the nominee was primarily a club musician, list the names and locations of those clubs and the years spent in club performing.
3. Describe the influences the nominee may have had on other players, such as projecting an identifiable style of playing and innovative musical executions. Provide examples of his/her professional expertise, playing prowess, dramatic delivery, etc. and explain how these qualities influenced others to take up the instrument.
4. List the nominee's recordings as a side musician with vocal artists and his/her instrumental recordings. Assess those musical productions for their quality, innovation, and what influence such may have had on other steel guitar players. List any compositions that may have become classic recordings (tunes that other players feel compelled to learn and likewise perform).
5. Describe the nominee's efforts as an instructor, innovations in teaching methods and notable students who learned from the nominee and also pursued a professional music career. List all other instructional materials published by the nominee and any other writings that advanced the musical performance and/or contributed to the public knowledge of the steel guitar.
6. If the nominee has been involved in the manufacture of steel guitars, explain any mechanical innovations and craftsmanship examples that he/she brought to the guitar building industry and/or enhanced the performing capabilities of the instrument. How long was the nominee engaged in this activity?
7. List other activities the nominee has engaged in that advanced the instrument, expanded public knowledge and acceptance of the instrument, or aided in its proliferation. Examples of such activities might include promoting and/or conducting concerts, forming steel guitar clubs, organizing promotional events, producing, writing and publishing, etc. List the continuous years the nominee devoted to these various activities.
The Steel Guitar Convention Board
Bob Maickel - Floral Park, NY.
Bobby Caldwell - St. Louis, MO.
DeWitt Scott - St. Louis, MO.
Fred Layman - Sevierville, TN.
Herb Steiner - Austin, TX.
Jeff Newman - Watertown, TN.
Tom Bradshaw - Concord, CA.
Winnie Winston - Tawa, New Zealand
Board Membership Method of Choice:
All Board members are involved with processing nominations and making decisions concerning the Hall of Fame induction process. Board members attain their membership by first being nominated for Board membership by the Board Chairman, DeWitt Scott, who submits all potential Board members to existing Board members for approval.
BTW: the URL lists August 1 as the cutoff date for the nominations...Hope this helps clear up some of the confusion I see in some of the posts.
Fred
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The spirit be with you!
If it aint got a steel, it aint real
Otherwise, they wouldn't have time to get the plaque made, and ensure the honorees attend the convention.