Write a commentLast year, a new scholarship was created in the name of Los Angeles resident and local Oswego native Joe Spereno to benefit an Oswego High School student continuing his or her education in the field of music.
This year, the Spereno family is continuing their efforts to add to the scholarship fund by hosting the second annual Joseph P. Spereno Memorial Music Scholarship fundraiser. There will be live entertainment, food, beverages, wine slushies courtesy of local vendors Ashley Lynn Winery, and basket raffles. The event will take place on Sunday, August 14th at Oswego’s Lighthouse Lanes Bowling Alley. It will be held outdoors again in the concert area beginning at noon.
In addition, the Oswego Musicians’ Hall of Fame will be inducting new members in several categories during the fundraising event. Those inductees able to attend will also be performing that day, along with local bands Nite Life and Long Time Coming.
Last year, Joe Spereno was the initial inductee into the local Hall of Fame. He played with rock bands during the 1950s and 1960s in Oswego, then went on to become entertainment director at SUNY Brockport and activities director at SUNY Oswego. Eventually he became part of the music industry, moving permanently to Los Angeles, and represented talents such as Isaac Hayes, Tom Petty, ELO and Liberace. However, he visited Oswego frequently to be with friends and family.
This year, the categories and inductees into the Oswego Musicians’ Hall of Fame are:
Barbershop Quartet: Elmer Hadlow
Band: Rock'n Hi Lows
Big Bands: Nick Sterio
Country: Jim Yeager
Jazz: Edward Goodness
Rock and Roll: Sam Domicolo
Teacher: Edward Lisk
All proceeds from the benefit will go to the scholarship fund, which will be awarded annually to an OHS senior who plans to major in the music field in college. Tickets are $10 for the chicken/pulled pork barbecue and concert, or $5 for admission to the event only. Presale tickets are available by calling Lisa at 592-1780 or emailing Lspereno@twcny.rr.com. Anyone who cannot attend but wishes to donate monetarily may send their contributions to John Edwards at the Oswego City School District, 120 East First Street, Oswego NY (checks should be payable to the Joseph Spereno Music Scholarship).
