UPDATE: America’s Pop Muisc Hall of Fame Inductions

We got the call this morning, the votes are in, & its official:  Johnny will be inducted into the Pop Music Hall of Fame in Canonsburg, PA on July 3rd this year!

Thanks to all the Mathis Fans around the world Johnny made it to # 2 in the polls, in an inaugural class that includes 13 other amazing artists.  Johnny was very happy to receive the news, and he thanks you all again for your overwhelming vote of support!

Read the official press release below:

PRESS RELEASE  March 15, 2013

America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame Announces Inductees

Johnny Tillotson ‘opens envelope’ for 14 acts Sinatra, Elvis, Beatles among inductees Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beatles are among the 14 pop acts selected by public vote for induction in America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame.

Johnny Tillotson – an early ‘60s pop icon –revealed the first 14 inductees at a press conference today  at the Canonsburg McDonald’s – home to a collection of Bobby Vinton and Perry Como memorabilia. Artists from Canonsburg – a town of 8,900 – have placed nearly 200 songs on the Billboard pop charts.

Inductees, who had to have a hit prior to 1970 to be considered, were selected from 40 nominees chosen on the breadth, depth and influence of their recordings. These, alphabetically, are the first inductees into America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame.

1. They brought surf music and “Pet Sounds” to America….The Beach Boys.
2. Even today, pop music is defined as what came before and after this band….The Beatles
3. He is known as “The Man in Black”….Johnny Cash
4. He is credited with creating the first soul record….Ray Charles
5. An ‘unforgettable’ artist of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s….Nat King Cole
6. The singing barber from Canonsburg…Perry Como
7. He hit the charts with pop, rock, country and Broadway tunes…Bobby Darin
8. Stellar singer and songwriter from the Brill Building days…Neil Diamond
9. She’s forever known as Little Miss Dynamite….Brenda Lee
10. The king of romance, he’s “Wonderful Wonderful”…Johnny Mathis
11. The King of Rock and Roll had plenty of pop hits, too…Elvis Presley
12. He’s the chairman of the board…Frank Sinatra
13. The Polish Prince – and he’s from Canonsburg … Bobby Vinton
14. The eighth wonder of the world…Stevie Wonder

These artists will be formally inducted into the Pop Music Hall of Fame on July 3, 2013.  The temporary home of America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame is expected to open this fall on Pike Street in Canonsburg. Fundraising for a permanent home is currently underway.