Long Island Sound Award
Back when the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame was just getting started, we had the idea that we should present awards to Long Island musicians “For Outstanding Contributions to Long Island’s Musical Heritage.” These weren’t intended as full inductions into the Hall, but were instead meant as our public recognition for perhaps more local people we thought should be recognized and celebrated. A few major international artists with strong Long Island cred managed to sneak in there, too. Thus was born the Long Island Sound Award – the LISA. Since 2004, we presented quite a few of these lovely awards at venues throughout Long Island and even Manhattan’s Lincoln Center. Here’s the list of recipients of this prestigious honor:
- Blanche Abram & Naomi Drucker
- Barnaby Bye
- Pat Benatar
- Gary U.S. Bonds
- Cedar Beach Blues Festival & Mark Gresser
- Herbert A. Deutsch
- Foghat
- Gene Casey of Gene Casey and the Lonesharks
- Frank Carillo
- Billy Cobham
- Edward “Little Buster” Forehand
- Deborah Gibson
- Arlo Guthrie
- Dr. Jason Hanley
- Michael Rothbard & Kathy Bodily
- Jim Small Band
- Kerry Kearney Band
- Kenny Laguna
- Jack Licitra
- Denis McNamara
- Melanie
- Buddy Merriam
- Eddie Money
- Orleans
- Norm Prusslin
- Queens Symphony Orchestra
- Patricia & Paul Rudoff
- Stephen Schwartz
- Richard Shindell
- Sam Taylor
- Twisted Sister
- Wes Houston Band
- Leslie West
- Toby Walker
- Steve Addabbo
- Phillip Bontempo
- Bradstock
- David Bennett Cohen
- Long Island Museum
- Stanton Anderson Band
- Sonny LaRosa
Distinguished Musician Award
The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame Distinguished Musician Award is given to those individuals who, while not directly connected to Long Island, have contributed to Long Island’s musical legacy by performing regularly for many years on Long Island, and participating in Long Island’s musical community.
- Aztec Two-Step
- Jorma Kaukonen
- The Smithereens
- Terry Adams
