San Diego Music Hall of Fame to Welcome New Members, Celebrate Region’s Talent

Seven performers will be inducted Friday into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame, and they include singer-songwriters, bluesmen and even an inventor.

“There is a long, rich history of wonderful music in our region.  We are focused on sharing this history and giving San Diegans a meaningful connection to this evolving tale,” said Jefferson Jay, the Hall’s founder.

The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Vision: A Center for Spiritual Living, 4780 Mission Gorge Place, near Navajo Canyon Open Space Park. Tickets start at $55. Four of the inductees are set to perform, while two are being honored posthumously.

The 2024 class:

Cathryn Beeks – the Ramona-based singer-songwriter, with a love of folk and country music, has played in several bands, including the Prairie Dudes and the all-female acoustic Calamity. She also performs with Jeff Berkley & the Banned and hosts a podcast, the Listen Local Show.

Cindy Lee Berryhill – debuted in 1987 with the album “Who’s Gonna Save The World?” and followed up with “Garage Orchestra,” “Beloved Stranger” and “The Adventurist,” among others. She has toured along with Peter Buck (REM), David Lindley and the Smithereens.   

Tomcat Courtney – the late Texas native performed in his home state, Arizona and Los Angeles before bringing his brand of blues to Ocean Beach. Courtney received international acclaim for his 2008 album “Downsville Blues” and toured Europe. He died in 2021.

Electric Waste Band – Another OB mainstay, the jam band, with their embrace of the Grateful Dead, has kept their Monday night residency at Winstons hopping since February 1992.

Daniel Jackson – the late jazz tenor saxophonist played with some of the greats, from Ray Charles to Buddy Rich. Jackson, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Diego Music Awards in 2013, died the following year.

Jim Plank – the drummer and teacher has performed in the San Diego Symphony, with the jazz club Elario’s house band and stars passing through San Diego on tour.

Peter Sprague – the guitarist has produced or played on nearly 200 recordings, taught music in the US. and abroad and maintains an Encinitas studio, SpragueLand. He has played with Chick Corea, Sergio Mendes and Dianne Reeves, He also invented a two-necked guitar with one classical guitar neck and one from a steel-string acoustic guitar.