FOLK AMERICANA hall of fame ROOTS A N O N P RO F I T A RTS O RG A N I Z AT I O N | B OSTO N , M A S S AC H U S ET TS
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farhof In 2019, the Boch Center established the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame (FARHOF) within the historic Wang Theatre. As a premier cultural and educational destination, FARHOF celebrates the lifeblood of America’s musical and cultural heritage. Led by legendary musicians and industry leaders including Keb’ Mo’, Joan Baez, and Noel Paul Stookey, and curated by the Museum Collective in partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring the history of folk, Americana, and roots music while inspiring the next generation of artists and fans. Today, FARHOF brings stories to life through exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours, concerts, educational programs, and its annual Induction Celebration, creating experiences that connect audiences with the artists and music that continue to shape American culture.
Boston is the folk music capital of north america.– NEIL YOUNG “The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame celebrates the music that tells America’s story,” notes J. Casey Soward, Boch Center President & CEO. “By preserving these remarkable legacies and creating new opportunities for discovery, we are ensuring these artists and their impact continue to inspire generations to come.”
FOLK AMERICANA ROOTS HALL OF FAME LEADERSHIP & ADVISORS BOARD OF DiRECTORS Joan Baez
Bert Holman
Honorary Chair
Manager, The Allman Brothers Band
Don Law
John MacNeil
Honorary Chair
Moody Street Pictures
Keb’ Mo’
Austin Marshall
Honorary Chair
Starstruck Entertainment
Noel Paul Stookey
Chuck McDermott
Honorary Chair
Artist / Singer / Songwriter
Mike Christian
Tim McFadden
Chairman of the Board, Boch Center
Tim McFadden Management and Consulting
Elliot Berke
Ford O’Neil
Managing Partner, Berke & Farah LLP, Washington, D.C.
Portfolio Manager, Fidelity Investments
Diane Blagman
Marc Orloff
Senior Director Law & Policy Practice, Greenberg Traurig LLP, Washington, D.C.
Managing Director, Alex. Brown | Raymond James
Ernie Boch Jr.
Nick Palmacci
CEO, Boch Enterprises
EVP, TMWRK Management
Joe Caruso
Jack Randall
Owner, The Music Emporium
President, The Kurland Agency
Armand Circharo
Frank Riley
Circharo Acquisitions
Founder, High Road Touring
Bob Crawford
Maggie Rose
The Avett Brothers
Artist / Singer / Songwriter
Will Dailey
Josiah Spaulding
Artist / Singer / Songwriter
Founder, Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame
Mark Erelli
J. Casey Soward
Folk / Americana Singer/Songwriter
President & CEO, Boch Center
Tim Goodman
Mark Weld
Singer / Songwriter / Producer
Chairman Emeritus, Boch Center
Meg Griffin
Doug Yeager
Sirius Radio
President, Yeager Productions, Inc.
INDUSTrY ADVISORS Ethan Baird
Catherine T. Morris
Folk Musician / Industry Consultant
Director of Arts and Culture, The Boston Foundation
David Bieber
Bruce Newman
Pop Culture Archivist and Curator, David Bieber Archives
Folk Alliance International Former CEO / Blues Hall of Fame Museum
Kevin Casini
Willie Nile
Legal / Management Professional in the Music Industry
Musician
Danny Clinch
Barry Ollman
Photographer and Filmmaker
Folk Music Historian / Collector
Robert Corwin
Tom Paxton
Photographer
Singer / Songwriter
Luther Dickinson
Pam Picard
The North Mississippi Allstars
Documentary Film Producer
Aengus Finnan
Ron Pownall
Musician / Arts Organizer
Photographer
Marco Giovino
Scott Robinson
Drummer / Producer / Musical Director
Founder and former CEO, Dualtone Records
Peter Gold
Shea Rose
Co-founder of the Boston Music Awards
Curator, The Folk Collective at Passim
Kemp Harris
Tom Rush
Artist / NERFA Representative
Artist / Singer / Songwriter
Craig Havighurst
Bob Santelli
Music Journalist / Historian / Host
Executive Director, Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music
Warren Haynes
Tamara Saviano
Guitarist, The Allman Brothers Band / Gov’t Mule
Producer / Author / Americana Industry Leader
Jed Hilly
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Americana Music Festival
Grammy®-Nominated Musician
Bruce Iglauer
Ken Shepherd
Founder, Alligator Records
Famed Radio DJ and Promoter
Ken Irwin
Betsy Siggins
Founder, Rounder Records
Folk New England / Founding Member of Club 47
Ralph Jaccodine
Matt Smith
Artist Manager / Berklee College of Music Professor
Managing Director, Passim
Bill Janovitz
Mark Spector
Musician / Author / Member of Buffalo Tom
Manager of Joan Baez & Graham Nash
Jim Lauderdale
Jay Sweet
Artist / Singer / Songwriter
Producer, Newport Folk Fest/Newport Jazz Fest
Alan LeQuire
Livingston Taylor
Sculptor, LeQuire Gallery
Singer-songwriter and Professor at Berklee College of Music
Crys Matthews
Susan Tedeschi
Folk Artist / Social Activist
Grammy®-Winning Blues / Roots Artist
Will McFarlane
Don Was
Session Guitarist / Roots Music Advocate
Grammy®-winning Musician / Producer / President, Blue Note Records
Andrew McInnes
Jim Weider
CEO, TMWRK Management
The Weight Band
The Milk Carton Kids . Ken Pattengale & Joey Ryan
Peter Wolf
Artists / Singers / Songwriters
The J. Geils Band Frontman / Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominee / Solo Artist
Jay Moberg
Robbie Woliver
Influential Folk / Americana Radio Host
Author / Artist / Folk City
Alastair Moock
Lee Zimmerman
Folk Artist / Songwriter
Music Journalist / Historian
FARHOF
INDUCTEES The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame celebrates the artists, songwriters, and industry leaders who have shaped and preserved folk, Americana, and roots music. Inductees are selected by a diverse committee of experts and board members representing a broad range of musical and cultural perspectives. Each year, the Induction Ceremony brings together honorees, artists, families, industry leaders, and fans for an evening of live performances, heartfelt tributes, and storytelling. This celebration honors the lasting influence of each class of inductees while introducing their music and legacies to new generations.
Joan Baez The Band Lead Belly Oscar Brand Jackson Browne The Byrds Johnny Cash Leonard Cohen Judy Collins Ramblin’ Jack Elliott Aretha Franklin Albert Grossman Woody Guthrie Frank Hamilton John Hammond Emmylou Harris Richie Havens Mississippi John Hurt Gordon Lightfoot Alan Lomax
Taj Mahal Joni Mitchell Willie Nelson Odetta Tom Paxton Peter, Paul & Mary John Prine Bonnie Raitt Jean Ritchie Tom Rush Mavis Staples Pete Seeger Betsy Siggins James Taylor Sister Rosetta Tharpe Muddy Waters The Weavers George Wein Josh White Neil Young
People sing each other’s songs and they cultivate standards. That is the reason why we have folk music and folk stories. History is told through song. – BRANDI CARLILE
FARHOF
EXHIBITIONS Honoring the past celebrating the present nurturing the future The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame brings the history of American roots music to life through impactful permanent and rotating exhibitions celebrating the artists, stories, and movements that have shaped the nation. Located inside the historic Wang Theatre, FARHOF features rare artifacts, photography, multimedia, and interactive technology connecting visitors to the legacy of folk, Americana, and roots music. More than a museum, FARHOF is a place for education, dialogue, and discovery, exploring how music has influenced social change, cultural identity, and generations of artists.
Since opening, FARHOF has presented acclaimed exhibitions featuring nationally significant, one-of-a-kind collections. Each exhibition is thoughtfully curated to reveal compelling stories, offering visitors rare opportunities to experience extraordinary artifacts. Highlights include: Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon featured more than 40 intimate photographs by Danny Clinch, Ed Gallucci, Eric Meola, Pamela Springsteen, Frank Stefanko, Barry Schneier, and Ron Pownall. Developed in partnership with the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, the exhibition offered a revealing look at one of America’s most influential artists. Music America: Iconic Objects from America’s Music History showcased more than 100 artifacts spanning 250 years of American music. Presented with the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music and leading collectors, the exhibition traced American music through instruments, handwritten lyrics, costumes, recordings, and memorabilia representing folk, blues, country, rock, jazz, gospel, and more. Don’t Think Twice: The Daniel Kramer Photographs of Bob Dylan (1964–1965) explored Dylan’s transformation from acoustic folk artist to cultural icon during the creation of Bringing It All Back Home and Highway 61 Revisited.
Arlo Guthrie: Native Son explored the life and legacy of the beloved troubadour through personal artifacts, including his first guitar, handwritten lyrics, family photographs, and keepsakes from his career. Life in Six Strings showcased guitars from Ernie Boch Jr.’s renowned collection. Through artificial intelligence, visitors interacted with a holographic Ernie Boch Jr., who shared the history of each instrument and the artists who played them. Permanent exhibitions celebrate national and local musical heritage. Boston: A Music Town celebrates the city’s musical traditions that stretch from classical to avant-garde jazz and hip-hop. Thanks to its dynamic club scene, concert halls, and its universally known music schools, Boston celebrates its legacy in many ways and with many sounds. The Wang Theatre: A Century of Great Music chronicles 100 years of performances and cultural milestones, documenting the venue’s evolution from the Metropolitan Theatre to one of America’s premier performing arts venues. Legends of Folk, Americana & Roots Music features artifacts from the current induction class and past inductees. See objects from those who changed the sound of America including the likes of Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger, Jean Ritchie, Josh White, and other pioneers.
FARHOF
EDUCATION & TOURS The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame offers immersive public and private tours that combine behind-the-scenes access to the historic Wang Theatre with engaging exhibitions celebrating the artists, stories, and movements that shaped American music. Visitors can stand on one of the largest stages in North America, explore nearly a century of theatre history, view more than 1,000 artist signatures lining the backstage walls, and experience rotating exhibitions featuring rare artifacts, photography, instruments, and memorabilia. From Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen to Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and many others, guests encounter the people and stories that have defined folk, Americana, and roots music while exploring their lasting influence on American culture. Education is central to the Hall of Fame’s mission. Building on the Boch Center’s nationally recognized arts education programs, FARHOF offers experiences that connect music, history, culture, and innovation through guided tours, artist conversations, symposiums, and arts educational programming for learners of all ages. These programs offer audiences unique opportunities to engage with the individuals preserving and interpreting the story of American music. The Hall’s STEAM Tours transform FARHOF and the Wang Theatre into a living classroom, introducing middle and high school students to careers in theatre production, sound engineering, lighting design, acoustics, and live entertainment technology. Students discover how creativity and technical innovation come together to produce world-class performances while exploring career pathways in the performing arts. The Hallways podcast explores the intersection of music, history, and social change. Guests have included Keb’ Mo’, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, Tom Rush, The Milk Carton Kids, and other artists, historians, and cultural leaders whose works highlight the enduring influence of folk and roots traditions.
FARHOF
CONCERTS As an initiative of the Boch Center, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame presents world-class performances at its historic Wang and Shubert Theatres, two of Boston’s premier performing arts venues. Together, these iconic stages have welcomed generations of legendary artists whose works have defined genres. Today, they continue to advance the Hall of Fame’s mission by celebrating both the enduring legacy and evolving future of American traditions. Originally opened in 1925, the 3,500-seat Wang Theatre is renowned for its breathtaking architecture, exceptional acoustics, and one of the largest theatre stages in North America. Restored to its original grandeur, its ornate murals, marbleized surfaces, gilded detailing, and soaring interiors create an unforgettable setting for artists and audiences alike. Adjacent to the Wang, the intimate 1,600-seat Shubert Theatre has hosted acclaimed performers for more than a century and remains one of New England’s premier venues for concerts, conversations, and special events. Together, the Boch Center’s stages have presented an extraordinary roster of artists whose works reflect the Hall of Fame’s mission, including Neil Young, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, Van Morrison, the Grateful Dead, Jason Isbell, Marcus Mumford, The Avett Brothers, The Allman Brothers Band, Dropkick Murphys, Ed Sheeran, and countless others, many of whom are represented within the Hall of Fame. This creates a meaningful connection between the performances on stage and the stories preserved throughout the museum. Beyond established icons, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame champions the next generation of musicians through intimate concerts, showcase performances, and community programs. Emerging and regional artists including Maggie Rose, Will Dailey, Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli, Victoria Cardona, Chrissi Poland, Crys Matthews, and many others have performed alongside exhibitions and public programs, introducing audiences to new voices while honoring traditions that continue to shape contemporary music. Supported by state-of-the-art production technology, live streaming capabilities, and multiple performance spaces, the Boch Center enables FARHOF to present special events that reach audiences in Boston and around the world.
Two Iconic Venues WITH Unmatched Performances
ABOUT THE
BOCH CENTER Founded in 1976 in the heart of Boston’s Theater District, the Boch Center is New England’s largest and one of the nation’s foremost nonprofit performing arts institutions. Home to the iconic Wang and Shubert Theatres, which have anchored the city’s historic Theater District for over 100 years, the Boch Center welcomes an average of 400,000 visitors to more than 200 world-class performances and events annually. A diverse roster of performances includes classical and popular music, dance, spoken word, musicals, theater, multimedia, comedy, family programs, and more. The Boch Center also hosts large public and private events and international conferences and has been the set for many notable major motion pictures and television shows. Since 1988, the Boch Center’s Youth Development, Arts Education, and Ticket Access Programs have been inspiring and igniting greater appreciation for art, culture, and creativity for youth and families whose arts opportunities have been limited. The Boch Center’s programs are always free because the Center believes that it is a right, not a privilege, for everyone to have access to the arts.
Action is the antidote to despair. – JOAN BAEZ Because the arts have the power to connect people, strengthen communities, and transform lives, accessibility, diversity, inclusion, and civic engagement are among the institution’s highest priorities. The Boch Center is committed to making the arts accessible to all, and this commitment guides programming, education initiatives, and civic engagement with nonprofit and local arts organizations throughout Boston and beyond.
FARHOF
PARTNERS The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame is dependent on the support of incredible partners that contribute invaluable resources to make exhibitions and programming possible. FARHOF is grateful for their numerous contributions and help in creating an iconic Hall of Fame experience.
KATHRYN GOODMAN FOUNDATION.
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A L L R I G H TS R E S E RV E D © T H E FO L K A M E R I C A N A RO OTS H A L L O F FA M E An Initiative of the Boch Center, A Nonprofit Arts Organization | 270 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts Photography credits in order of appearance: (Front Cover) Visitors in FARHOF, electric guitar detail, & Waxahatchee © Corwin Wickersham; Performers at Induction Ceremony © Ron Pownall (This is FARHOF) Bethel Music © Corwin Wickersham; (Leadership & Advisors) FARHOF Induction Celebration performance © Ron Pownall (Inductees) Judy Collins © Ron Pownall (Exhibitions) Music America display, & Levon Helm display © Corwin Wickersham; Ringo Starr in FARHOF © Unattributed Boch Center Archives (Education & Tours) FARHOF visitors © Corwin Wickersham (Concerts) Gregory Alan Isakov, Billy Strings, Herbie Hancock, & Tedeschi Trucks Band © Corwin Wickersham (About and Partners) Wang Theatre ghost light © Corwin Wickersham (Back Cover) Wang Theatre crowd, & Wang Theatre exterior © Corwin Wickersham; Peter Wolf with Muddy Waters record at Induction Ceremony © Ron Pownall; Woody Guthrie fiddle & Guitar collection © Unattributed Boch Center Archives.