Many musicians have had an impact on this area, and 72 of these talented individuals and groups have been inducted into the Southeastern Indiana Musicians Association Hall of Fame.

Plaques line the walls of the Hall of Fame Museum, 331 Walnut St., Lawrence-burg. Each contains the inductee’s name and photo. SIMA President Ken Jackson explains how this dream became a reality.

“In 2001, we had a suggestion .... from a guy who brought it up two different times.” He thought it would be a great way to honor the music makers.

“I got together eight other musicians (Nelson Elliot, Bob Hudson, Bob Bischoff, Stafford Ripley, Clifford “Dutch” Hoffmeier, Bob Linkmeyer, Carolyn Leming and George Smith) and formed a board. We received our nonprofit status .... Then things started evolving ....The first year we put in two members.”

Since that time, they try to induct five living and five deceased members each year. The winners are revealed at Aurora’s Farmers Fair.

Nominees should have played professionally for at least 15 years. They do not necessarily have to be from the Hoosier state, but should have contributed their talent and time to southeastern Indiana.

“All types of music are welcome .... even though it is predominately country,” the Moores Hill resident reveals.

He recalls the names and accomplishments of several inductees: “Eunice Kittle was a Rising Sun schoolteacher who taught kids to sing .... Maritta Kruse played in church for 60 to 70 years.

“Cal Collins, who is deceased, played for everybody .... He toured with the Benny Goodman Orchestra and was on a daily TV show hosted by Nick Clooney.”

Mervin Brandt is a fiddle player who had his own radio show. One of his records is in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., he announces.

“Jimmy Thomas was someone everybody knows. He’s kind of an icon in the area.” The Legend of Lawrenceburg played all over the country and opened for James Brown.

“Fritz Turner was a driving force in dance music in southeastern Indiana. He led a five-piece combo and 15-piece big band .... and produced several albums.”

The friendly man also reveals some other names: Lonnie Mack, Glenn Canyon, Opal Brandt, Ray Moore, Ralph Trotto, Steve Pratt, Albert Nanni and Ken “Rocky” Hussung.

Jackson himself is part of this prestigious group. In 1995, he joined the Classic Country Band, playing rhythm guitar and singing and initiated the Tri-Staters in 1998.

Through the years, he has also given back to the community by playing for long-term care facility and senior citizen functions. The president started the Rising Sun Jam Session on Wednesday afternoons to supplement the funds for the hall of fame.

He is very thankful to the Dearborn Highlands Arts Council for allowing the museum to be set up in its building. “There’s no way we would have had the money for a building of our own.”

The museum is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome. Guests are asked to sign in when they stop by.

Marilyn Bower, DHAC executive director, recalls that the daughter of the late Ray Moore came into the museum to “eat lunch with her dad.

“Others come in looking for one specific person, and they find more people they know .… Then they sit down and read .... to learn more about them.”

A binder with information about all the inductees and nomination forms are available there and at every library in a four-county area (Dearborn, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland), including Batesville Memorial Public Library in its genealogy area.

To be considered for the 2009 induction, nomination forms must be received by July 1. They can be mailed to Ken Jackson, 15018 Chatham Road, Moores Hill, IN 47032.

“The first Monday in July, we have our meeting and make our selections,” Jackson says. “We keep nominations from year to year.”

He appreciates “the whole community for their contributions .... People have been so wonderful.”

Jackson is also thankful to the Aurora Lions Club “for allowing us to perform at the Farmers Fair and letting us have the inductions.”

For more information, persons can contact Jackson at 812-926-4172.

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.