The 2024 San Diego Music Hall of Fame ceremony takes plane on November 8 at Vision: A Center for Spiritual Living. Organized and hosted by Jefferson Jay, the 6 th Annual Event will honor six performers: Jim Plank, Daniel Jackson, Cindy Lee Berryhill, Peter Sprague, Cathryn Beeks and Tomcat Courtney, as well as one band: Electric Waste Band.
The first SDMHOF ceremony was held in 2018. What inspired Jay to start a Hall of Fame? “Shortly after I moved to town in 2000, I was struck by the support that the fine and visual arts community gave to their artists,” he said. “I hoped that musicians and San Diego could have a similar support network, as SD can be a very tough place to make it as a musician. Our annual induction ceremony provides one day a year, where everybody can gather and celebrate music, musicians, and SD music history in a serious, solemn, and meaningful way.”
What’s the criteria for inclusion? “The number one criteria is someone who gave a tremendous amount of themselves and their lives for San Diego music,” Jay remarked. “Other important qualities include being a kind, considerate, and community-oriented individual. Lots of people, in all kinds of industries, do things primarily for themselves and their own benefit first, but I love recognizing people who get just as much pleasure out of doing things that benefit other people and help them fulfill their dreams.” He considers 2024 inductee Cathryn Beeks as a perfect example of this. “She has great musical abilities and many noteworthy projects but has done just as much to help other people fulfill their dreams as she has her own.”
How hard is it to put something like this together? “It is a tremendous amount of work, but a labor of love,” Jay said. “We start working seriously on it in June/July and work all the way through our November event. There are about 15-20 people working on the event the day of.”
This is the sixth event, looking back, what are some of his favorite moments from the past? “A handful of moments jump to mind,” Jay remarked. “A couple from the stage and a couple from behind-the-scenes. From the stage, our induction of Jamie Shadowlight last year was deeply meaningful to me and I know it was deeply meaningful to her,” he recalled. “Jamie passed away in June, and it was a humbling honor to celebrate such a magical and special friend and to share this uplifting experience with her as she fought for her life. We will continue to honor Jamie‘s memory moving forward.
When Marine Band San Diego accepted their induction, they were extremely humble and gracious and appreciative to be included. I was moved and humbled by their reaction and kind words.” Jay notes that there are special moments at all points of the Hall of Fame process. “My favorite part of this, that nobody else sees, is the reactions I get from some inductees when I informed them that they will be inducted,” he said. “Lisa Sanders and 2024 inductee, Cindy Lee Berryhill, come to mind. Inductees are sometimes deeply moved and feel a profound gratitude. It can be very emotional for them, and it is a very moving experience for all of us.”
What is Jay looking forward to the most on event night? “I am looking forward to the entire night, he said. “Each inductee is so special, and the induction means a lot to a lot of different people.” He concedes two personal highlights for him. “Two parts of this show that will mean a lot to me personally are Cathryn’s induction and the induction of the Electric Waste Band. Cathryn has been a selfless force on the music scene for over 20 years. If everybody could do as much for other people as Cathryn has, the world would be a much better place. It is our honor to recognize her incredible body of work.”
As for the Electric Waste Band, “keeping a steady gig for 32 years like they have at Winston’s on Monday nights, it’s truly an unbelievable accomplishment. The Ocean Beach community, that we call home, has taken a number of devastating losses in the past several months. There have been numerous deaths of beloved musicians and friends, and it felt like our community needed a lift, something to celebrate. We felt the time was perfect to honor Electric Waste Band, whose music is experienced as a type of “church” to OBeacians. I feel our whole community will really benefit from some happy tears after shedding all these sad ones.”
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