BUFFALO MUSIC HISTORY
Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Concerts
It might still be winter and there is snow on the ground but at Tonawanda's Gateway Harbor Concerts & Events we are making plans for next summer. The above photos include the last concert during the summer of 2025, photos of other concerts, promotion flyer and rates. Presenting events since 2002, Gateway is the oldest continueous weekly concert series and the largest free weekly concert series in WNY. Do you want to be part of the 2026 Concert and Events programming. Please contact me for Sponsorship information and other ways businesses can contribute and be associated with the Wednesday Concerts, Food Truck Thursdays and Friday Spotlight Stage Series.
Sponsorship packages start at $500.00 and higher sponsorship levels provide additional promotion for your business. A $1,500 level sponsor will have their logo on all printed promotional material: banners, schedule cards, posters, etc... Information about your business will be announced at all concerts and prerecorded promotional announcement that are played at the events. You can have a 10x10 space to place your tents and distribute promotional material about your business and/or sell non-food items. You can get involved with the concerts and participate in our other events. Higher sponsorship levels provide additional opprotunities.
Remember, when you are a sponsor of Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Concerts and Events you are not just promoting your business, you are also providing the financial assistance for our 501c3 "not for profit corportation" to present these free outdoor events to the people of WNY. Tonawandas Gateway Harbor Park on the Erie Canal between the cities of Tonawanda & North Tonawanda is the place to be for summertime activities.
Think warm - think summer.
For information contact rickfalkowski@aol.com or 716-583-0540.
Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement
The Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement (BMHoA) is a progression of the Buffalo Music Awards (BMAs – established in 1981) and Buffalo Music Hall of Fame (BMHOF – formed in 1983).
Initially an individual or group was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame by dominating or winning their BMA category three years in a row. That was expanded to individuals who were successful in the local, regional and national music/recording industry, as selected by a panel consisting of the inducted members of the BMHOF.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame continued to progress and transitioned to a 501c3 organization. After founders Rick & Marsha Falkowski passed control to a Board of Directors, the winning of multiple Buffalo Music Awards was discontinued and replaced by metrics based on a submitted application and supporting documentation. This procedure is a very detailed formal process, resulting in highly qualified candidates being annually selected. However, it precluded the induction of many musicians that have concentrated their career on performances in the area club scene and did not achieve acclaim beyond the WNY market.
The Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement was initiated in 2010 (the last year of the Buffalo Music Awards) to return to the original premise of the BMHOF and to honor musicians based directly upon the success they experienced in the WNY music scene and the BMAs. Nine groups and twelve individuals were inducted that first year. Some of the groups and individuals inducted into the BMHoA were subsequently inducted into the BMHOF but others, based upon their career performance selection, may never satisfy the criteria of the metrics selection process.
Rick and Marsha Falkowski have donated the records of the Buffalo Music Awards to the Cheektowaga Historical Society Museum and since the new museum will ultimately have several rooms dedicated to area music, it was decided to revive the Hall of Achievement to document the accomplishments of musicians in the WNY area. In addition, the music rooms in the museum will chronicle area nightclubs, venues that featured live music, entertainment events, recording studios and include all styles of music.
Being inducted into the BMHoA in 2025 are the groups White Lies, the Boogie Monsters and Bleeding Hearts, each of whom has won numerous BMAs. Many of their members have also received individual awards. In addition, Sue Kincaid is being inducted for winning multiple Female Vocalist Awards, as well as awards with the groups in which she performed.
To expand upon success inThe Music Awards, it was decided to honor bands/musicians that performed before the inception of the Buffalo Music Awards in 1981 and bands/musicians that have continually drawn crowds to local entertainment establishments, bringing additional attention to the area music scene. The first group being so honored is Cock Robin, a Cheektowaga band that broke up in 1981.
Going forward, the BMHoA will annually induct groups and individuals, based upon awards won and nominations received in the BMAs. Groups and individuals will also be inducted based open their performance history, acclaim and longevity in the WNY music scene.
The annual event will be a fundraiser for the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum and after the museum opens, all funds raised will benefit enhancement to the music rooms in the museum.
Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement 2010 Inductees.
Groups
Bareback Jack
Black Widow
Boys of Summer
Easy Street Band
Mick Hayes Band
Route 66
Strictly Hip
Suckerpuch
That 80s Hair Band
Individuals
Black Widow
Boys of Summer
Easy Street Band
Mick Hayes Band
Route 66
Strictly Hip
Suckerpuch
That 80s Hair Band
Individuals
Alison Pipitone
Bruce Decker
CJ Swann
David Green
Eric Crittenden
Gregg Sansone
JJ Moscato
Lana Hergert
Mark Valentino
Mick Hayes
Nikki Hicks
Terry Buchwald
Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement 2025 Inductees
Groups
Bruce Decker
CJ Swann
David Green
Eric Crittenden
Gregg Sansone
JJ Moscato
Lana Hergert
Mark Valentino
Mick Hayes
Nikki Hicks
Terry Buchwald
Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement 2025 Inductees
Groups
Bleeding Hearts
Boogie Monsters
Cock Robin
White Lies
Individuals
Boogie Monsters
Cock Robin
White Lies
Individuals
Sue Kincaid
The 2026 Inductees will be named during the summer of 2026 and the indiction will take place at the Cheektowaga Historical Association annual benefit and induction concert in November 2026.
For information contact rickfalkowski@aol.com or 716-583-0540
Buffalo Music Awards
Go to buffalomusicawards.com for inforamtion about the awards from 1981 to 2010
The Buffalo Music Awards no longer presents an annual awards show for area musicians.
It honors area musicians by continuing induction to the Buffalo Music Awards Hall of Achievement.
Induction is based upon accomplishments in the BMAs and general achievements during the period of time that the BMAs were not active.
Buffalo Music Hall of Fame
Go the buffalomusichallof fame.org for informations
Other information about the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame will be posted in the near future
Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum
Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum – Building plans & objectives
The Cheektowaga Historical Association was established in 1970 and occupied their current museum building at 3329 Broadway in 1984. Julia Reinstein was named the first historian of the town of Cheektowaga in 1953 and was one of the founders of the Erie County Historical Federation. She started the Cheektowaga Society and during her tenure 28 societies were established across Erie County.
In April 2024 the Cheektowaga Historical Association purchased the 20,000 square foot former St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Home at 3350 Broadway, across the street from the current museum. Built in 1877, the former nursing home is the oldest commercial building in Cheektowaga. St. Stephens operated at 3350 Broadway until 1956, when they sold the building to a private nursing home and moved to 1190 Amherst Street as the United Church Home. After relocating to West Seneca, United Church Manor founded Fox Run of Orchard Park, one of the premier retirement communities in WNY.
The building became Keith Gregor’s Music Mall I 1979, a band rehearsal facility with 30 practice rooms, music stores, musical equipment repair shops and a recording studio. It is still operating as the Music Mall, with all of the rehearsal rooms rented to capacity.
In November 2024 the first fundraiser was held for the eventual new home of the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum. Funds were raised to repair the cupola and roof. Subsequent donations also enabled repair of the stairs and general building repairs. It is hoped that this year, $30,000 will be raised to replace the heating and begin installation of AC for the building.
It is anticipated that the Cheektowaga History Museum will move across the street from 3329 Broadway into the newly remodeled building in the Fall of 2026. At that time the first several rooms in the front of the building will be occupied by the Cheektowaga Museum, a Civil War Museum, the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame and a room dedicated to Buffalo music. The museum space will expand on an annual basis, adding more rooms for music and broadcasting, rooms for police, fireman, veterans, sports, the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo, Polish American Heritage, Professional Sports Teams and additional display space/promotion for other WNY area museums. Once the first floor is occupied by museum space, the two fire escapes are repaired and the elevator is again operational, rooms on the second and third floors will be added. Rehearsal rooms will remain available until they are replaced through attrition and by museum space expansion.
After the building is occupied, grants can be obtained to continue enhancement of the building. It is anticipated that several will be required to complete the project, with philanthropic organizations already expressing interest in contributing. Eventually all 20,000 square feet will be occupied, and it will be the second largest local museum in WNY. Annually the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum Fundraiser will be held to further improve the building and especially enhance the music/entertainment rooms of the property.
If you would like to donate to the museum, contact the Historical Society at 716-684-6544 or by email to cheektowagahistory@yahoo.com. You can also contribute by Venmo @cheektowagahistorymuseum, identified as donation.
The Cheektowaga Historical Association was established in 1970 and occupied their current museum building at 3329 Broadway in 1984. Julia Reinstein was named the first historian of the town of Cheektowaga in 1953 and was one of the founders of the Erie County Historical Federation. She started the Cheektowaga Society and during her tenure 28 societies were established across Erie County.
In April 2024 the Cheektowaga Historical Association purchased the 20,000 square foot former St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Home at 3350 Broadway, across the street from the current museum. Built in 1877, the former nursing home is the oldest commercial building in Cheektowaga. St. Stephens operated at 3350 Broadway until 1956, when they sold the building to a private nursing home and moved to 1190 Amherst Street as the United Church Home. After relocating to West Seneca, United Church Manor founded Fox Run of Orchard Park, one of the premier retirement communities in WNY.
The building became Keith Gregor’s Music Mall I 1979, a band rehearsal facility with 30 practice rooms, music stores, musical equipment repair shops and a recording studio. It is still operating as the Music Mall, with all of the rehearsal rooms rented to capacity.
In November 2024 the first fundraiser was held for the eventual new home of the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum. Funds were raised to repair the cupola and roof. Subsequent donations also enabled repair of the stairs and general building repairs. It is hoped that this year, $30,000 will be raised to replace the heating and begin installation of AC for the building.
It is anticipated that the Cheektowaga History Museum will move across the street from 3329 Broadway into the newly remodeled building in the Fall of 2026. At that time the first several rooms in the front of the building will be occupied by the Cheektowaga Museum, a Civil War Museum, the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame and a room dedicated to Buffalo music. The museum space will expand on an annual basis, adding more rooms for music and broadcasting, rooms for police, fireman, veterans, sports, the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo, Polish American Heritage, Professional Sports Teams and additional display space/promotion for other WNY area museums. Once the first floor is occupied by museum space, the two fire escapes are repaired and the elevator is again operational, rooms on the second and third floors will be added. Rehearsal rooms will remain available until they are replaced through attrition and by museum space expansion.
After the building is occupied, grants can be obtained to continue enhancement of the building. It is anticipated that several will be required to complete the project, with philanthropic organizations already expressing interest in contributing. Eventually all 20,000 square feet will be occupied, and it will be the second largest local museum in WNY. Annually the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum Fundraiser will be held to further improve the building and especially enhance the music/entertainment rooms of the property.
If you would like to donate to the museum, contact the Historical Society at 716-684-6544 or by email to cheektowagahistory@yahoo.com. You can also contribute by Venmo @cheektowagahistorymuseum, identified as donation.
Interested in assisting with the establishment of the Cheektowaga Historical & WNY Cultural Museum
If you care about area history or you are a member of the WNY Entertainment Community, you may be interested in assisting with the development of the NEW Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum.
In addition to assisting with our annual benefit, we are looking for people who are willing to work on the refurbishing the building and would like to work on organizing artifects. Eventually we will also be looking for people willing to volunteer at the property.
The Cheektowaga Historical Association, a 501c3 not-for-profit organization. Eventually the new museum at 3350 Broadway will feature historical displays about the town of Cheektowaga, a Civil War Museum, the Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Buffalo Music, other rooms about Buffalo Entertainment, rooms featuring WNY Sports, the police, firemen, veterans, the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo, Polish American Heritage, amusement parks and information about other museums in the area. The building will continue operating as rehearsal space for bands, with bands relocating to higher floors as the museum space expands.
The Cheektowaga Museum will move from their current location across Broadway in the Fall of 2026, joined by the Civil War Museum and rooms highlighting WNY Broadcast and Music from the Broadcasters & Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. The original front porch will be recreated as the entrance and rooms located in the front of the first floor will be occupied. After the two fire escapes and elevator are rebuilt, the museum will expand to include the entire first floor and eventually include the second and third floors. The basement and fourth-floor attic space will be utilized for storage and access will be provided to the cupola, which provides a panoramic view of the area extending to downtown Buffalo.
With a total space of 20,000 square feet, it will be one of the largest local museums in New York State. All area organizations will be represented in the music rooms of the museum and we ask everyone to provide memorabilia and information that can be exhibited.
Hope you are interested in supporting the museum, our events and you will spread the word about this communinty project to your friends.
If you have any questions or would like to work with the museum on current or future projects, please contact me.
Rick Falkowski
Assistant Curator and fundraiser coordinator
716-583-0540
2025 Cheektowaga Historical Association Fundraiser & Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement Induction Concert
The 2025 Fundraiser for the Cheektowaga Historical Association Museum is being held on Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 4:00 – 9:00 at The Stage, 8166 Main Street, Williamsville. Doors open at 3:00 and it is recommended that you get there early if you want to get a table.
Performances this year will include four bands and one individual that are being inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Achievement. White Lies, the Boogie Monsters and Bleed Hearts are being inducted for winning numerous BMAs and for their members also having received individual awards. Sue Kincaid is being inducted for winning multiple Female Vocalist Awards, along with awards with the groups in which she performed. Cock Robin never won any BMA plaques because the original group broke up the year the Buffalo Music Awards was established in 1981. The BMHoA was expanded to include groups that were successful outside the 30-year history of the Music Awards and Cock Robin is the first group to be included in this manner.
The current reformed version of Cock Robin will be performing with two the original founding Cock Robin members (Jim Sommer & Dave Bienik) and other musicians that were members of Cock Robin over the past six decades. White Lies, multi-award winning band from the mid-1980s and early 1990s, will be lead by original members Bobby Andolora and Dan Macaluso, joined by later members Joe and Dave Dzialak. Bleeding Hearts will be led by David Lloyd who formed the group in the early 1980s. The Boogie Monsters will be led by Ike Smith and Leslie Zagotti who started the group in 1998.
Rounding out the entertainment will be the Cheektowaga group Crunchy Frog, a band that rehearsed in Keith Gregor’s Music Hall and recorded an album in the studio that was located on the third floor of the building. Two current bands will also be donating their talent to the fundraiser. The Funkensteins, a new group formed by Ed Tabone of Nerds Gone Wild, and Rock Angel, with their vocalist Maureen Gambino being joined by other guest members, similar to the “Women of Rock” Family Justice Center benefit she produced at Diamond Hawk. There will be some guest musicians with the bands and BMHOF/BMHOA members will be in attendance to present Hall of Achievement Awards and be announcers at the benefit.
Tickets are available online and from outhousetickets.com, from Cheektowaga Historical Association members, at The Stage and by Venmo. Like last year, there will be one of the largest Basket Raffles of the year at the benefit. If you want to purchase tickets, make a donation to the museum or would like to donate a basket or prizes for the raffle, contact the Historical Society at 716-684-6544, or by email to cheektowagahistory@yahoo.com or rickfalkowski@aol.com.You can also make a donation to the museum by Venmo @cheektowagahistorymuseum, identified as donation.