2025 Inductees

Kansas City KS native Gary Charlson first came to the attention of the local music scene in the mid ’70s, while fronting his hard rock cover band, Dynaflow.
A chance meeting with the fledgling KC indie record label, Titan, led to the release of his first 7″ 45 in 1978, “Real Life Saver,” which was critically acclaimed in many national fanzines at the time.
A 2nd Titan 45, “Shark,” was released in ’79, also to glowing reviews in the music press. By this time, Gary had formed The Gary Charlson Band, and was gigging regularly in local KC-area clubs.
In March of 1979, “Just Another Pop Album,” a sampler album released by Titan in 1980, included Gary’s 45 tracks and also featured a previously unreleased Charlson-penned song, “Goodbye Goodtimes.”
The album was well received by the national and international music scene. The Gary Charlson Band performed a live-in-the-studio set at Chapman Studios and tracks from this recording were released on a
12” EP by Titan in 1980. It featured the first-ever recorded cover version of Big Star’s “September Gurls,” later covered by the Searchers, the Bangles and several other groups.
In the early ’80s, Gary and Guido Toledo formed the cover band the 4Sknns, who remained very popular in the Kansas City region for 2 decades. In addition, he is a founding member of the cover band,
the Crayons, who continue to perform, and have a strong following in the region. On top of this, Gary does solo acoustic gigs regularly throughout the KC-metro area.

Chuck Cowan has performed as a professional musician for more than 50 years. His versatile repertoire includes Classical, Jazz, Country-Western, Rock & Roll, and Folk stylings. Chuck has displayed his gift for music with many famous artist, orchestras, and groups, both live and in the studio.
Cowan started playing guitar while growing up in Emporia KS. His first big break came while he was a freshman at Emporia State University. He and his band were playing their first professional gig – a country club near Branson, MO – when an agent spotted them. “He came up and said. ‘Do you guys want to go on the road?'” Chuck recalled, “I thought, ‘Oh good Lord, this guy must be deaf’!”‘. Over the years, he eventually toured the Midwest, the East Coast, the West Coast, Hawaii, and even as far away as Southeast Asia and Japan.
Ensembles he’s been with include the Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, and Les Baxter orchestras, plus Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys, Clyde McCoy, and Phil Campos & the Forum. A short list of artists he’s accompanied include Buddy Knox, Carl Mann, James Burton, Thumbs Carllile, Mundell Lowe, Sammy Davis Jr., The Coasters, the Shirells, Don Ho, Keely Smith, The New Christy Minstrels, and Michael Parks.
Cowan also played on a number of movie soundtracks, such as “Hells Belles”, “Blood Sabbath”, “Flareup” (with Raquel Welch), and the movie SMACK, which he wrote and scored the soundtrack for.
One of the more unusal turns in his career came when he was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. It proved to be a surprising event for both Chuck and for the Hall. “I’d never heard of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame,” he said. “And they thought I was dead!”
Chuck Cowan’s discography lists a number of singles recorded from 1962 through 1978 for labels like Sidewalk, Inner-Glo, and Olympic Records, plus a number of albums/CD’s released between 1961 and 2007. His latest CD “At The Lovers’ Lost and Found” is still in print.

Delisa Dawn is a Country music recording and touring artist. Delisa started her career at age 3 on the stage of Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS with the Wilburn Brothers at a show promoted by Kansas talent agent Harry “Hap” Peebles. Country Music Hall of Fame artist Faron Young was impressed by her performance, and invited her to sing with him at all his future Memorial Hall shows. During these early years, Delisa was coached on singing by the Wilburn Brothers, Loretta Lynn and Faron Young.
At age 10, Delisa moved to Wichita, KS with her mother and stepdad Thurman Bunch, Her stepdad was the high tenor for the Plainsman Gospel Quartet, who did a television show in Wichita every week. This was when her love of Southern Gospel music began.
Moving back to Kansas City in her late teens, Delisa formed a band and began playing night clubs in both Kansas and Missouri, where she was also a special guest on Country music shows with big-name artists. As soon as she graduated high school, she headed for Nashville, where she began her recording career and started touring. While opening shows for many Grand Ole Opry stars such as Jack Greene, Cal Smith, Jean Shephard and Faron Young, she would still return to Kansas and Missouri, playing fairs, festivals and of course, honky tonks.
After a year-long tour in 1985 that took her all over the United States, Delisa returned to Missouri and formed the band Delisa Dawn and Route 66. She spent her summers touring the fair and festival circuit in the Midwest, where she was a particular favorite at fairs and rodeos in Kansas. During the offseason, you could find Delisa and Route 66 playing Kansas honky tonks like New Country in Olathe, Ma Belles in Basehor, and The Ranch in Manhattan.
Delisa Dawn continued pursuing her career as a recording artist in Nashville, eventually releasing two singles: “I’d Love To Hate You” in 1992, and “Something ‘Bout You Baby” in 1997, both of which landed on the Billboard Country Singles and Independent Country Radio charts. This resulted in her being nominated for Most Promising Female Vocalist in 1992 and 1997 by American Country Radio. In 1992, Delisa Dawn and Route 66 did a show with the Dixie Cadillacs during rodeo week at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. A year later, Delisa and the group performed in Puerto Rico. At this point, Delisa Dawn and Route 66 had become a rodeo favorite, performing rodeo dances throughout the Midwest and beyond. When not performing on stage, she could be found at rodeos carrying sponsorship flags, or singing the National Anthem on horseback.
In 1997, she and the band were asked by Rodeo Hall of Famer, Jerome Robinson to do a tour of Venezuela in South America. In 2004, Delisa finally acted on her lifetime love of Southern Gospel, and with two bandmates formed 3D Gospel, performing primarily in Kansas and Missouri. In 2008, she decided to slow down on touring, disbanding Route 66 while continuing to perform with 3D Gospel. Also in 2008, Delisa purchased Stagewest Entertainment, and began her career booking entertainment at fairs and festivals throughout the Midwest.

Earle Dumler has appeared on thousands of recordings playing English Horn and oboe, from Close Encounters of the Third Kind and X-Men, to Frank Zappa to the Los Angeles Opera.
Born and raised in Russell KS, Dumler began his career in concert music playing with various regional orchestras and ensembles. After receiving his undergraduate degree in music from KU, he also
received a masters degree from the Boston Conservatory of Music before moving to LA and starting his career in recorded music. Earle Dumler has worked with Hollywood’s greatest: John Williams,
Bernard Herrmann, David Raksin, Elmer Bernstein, Jerry Goldsmith, Basil Poledouris, Danny Elfman, and Thomas Newman. In the world of popular music, his work can be heard on hit recordings by artists
such as Michael Jackson, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and Pharrell Williams, and on productions by both George Martin and “The Wrecking Crew” among many others.
His notable film work includes Soylent Green, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Eiger Sanction, Sophie’s Choice, Free Willy, Star Trek First Contact, Independence Day, Planet of the Apes,
Horse Whisperer, Shawshank Redemption, Edward Scissorhands, Wall-E, The Matrix, Air Force One, Airplane, Aladdin, Batman, Men in Black, Taxi, Back to the Future, and All in the Game.
In TV, he has worked on The Simpsons, Family Guy, Carol Burnett, Beauty and the Beast, Battlestar Galactica, ER, and more. Currently, Dumler maintains an active recording schedule while
continuing his concert work with the LA Chamber Orchestra, LA Opera, and the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra.

Boko Maru is an impressive hybrid of professional music experience that can convincingly play any style of music – from Jazz, Rock, and Blues to Funk, Country and more. Composed of saxophonist /percussionist/vocalist Todd Wilkinson, guitarist/vocalist Terry Swope, drummer Keith Mallory, saxophonist/keyboardist Joe Miquelon, and bassist /vocalist James Albright, their mantra was “Musicians’ music for everyone.” Capable of laser-like intensity, improvisational fireworks, and uncanny in their ability to fuse styles, Boko Maru quickly developed a following of dedicated fans. Their original compositions and adaptions of cover tunes display an understanding of musical virtuosity combined with pop sensibilities.
Between 1994 and 2001, the group performed hundreds of gigs at clubs including, the Drum Room, the Point, Club 427, and Fedora on the Plaza, not to mention myriads of weddings, corporate events, and private parties. At the Drum Room, they were the backing band for Kevin Toney, Mark Murphy, Herb Ellis, and Karrin Allyson, as well as doing recording sessions and commercials with many local professionals.
Boko Maru was hired as the house band with the Wave FM Smooth Jazz Station, and received the annual Pitch Magazine ‘Klammy Award’ for Best Jazz Ensemble in 2000. During their steady gig at Fedora’s, they were discovered by Gary Cavanaugh (CEO of Fun Pro Records), and subsequently signed to the label. In late 2000, they released a highly acclaimed CD titled “Dreamland”, a signature work of compelling originality.
In 2002 the group disbanded to pursue other projects.

Three time Grammy award winning guitarist Will Matthews is a native of Kansas City, Missouri who grew up on the East side of town. He developed a love of the guitar from listening to it played by
his grandfather, Joseph Matthews Sr. (aka Little Joe Matthews). Matthews Sr. was born in Mississippi in 1900 and played guitar in the Delta Blues style. By age 13, Will got his first guitar and
started taking private lessons while learning R&B, Pop and Funk songs from records and the radio. By age 15, he was playing for church and for R&B, Pop and Funk bands, being chaperoned by adult
family members on short regional tours during the summer months when school was not in session. Will soon discovered Jazz, and began listening to all the great Jazz guitarist, starting with
Kenny Burrell’s ‘Round Midnight’ album, then Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Grant Green, Pat Martino, Joe Pass, and many more. At age 18 he began his study of jazz guitar in earnest with
instructor Hurley Dennis at the Mutual Musicians Foundation. Around 1985 Matthews was approached by Eddie Baker, founder of the Charlie Parker Foundation, to play for his New Breed Orchestra,
who performed a lot of Basie Orchestra charts. Eddie gave Will a cassette tape of the Basie Orchestra and told him, ‘listen to the guitar player, this is what I want you to do with my band’.
That’s when Matthews started absorbing the guitar style and technique of Freddie Green. In 1996 Matthews was asked to join the Count Basie Orchestra, filling the coveted chair of legendary guitarist
and composer Freddie Green, who had previously been with Basie for 50 years until his passing. Since then Will has played on every live and studio recording made by the Orchestra. Three of these
that won Grammys are ’Count Basie Orchestra Live at Manchester Guild’ (1997), ‘Count Plays Duke’ (1999), and ‘Basie Swings the Blues’ (2024), as well as the Grammy-nominated recording ‘Swing Shift’ i
n 2000. Since joining the Orchestra, Matthews has performed at every major jazz
festival, concert hall, theatre and night club in the world, touring across Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America, and Europe. Memorable gigs include performing at the
Royal Palace in Bangkok, Thailand for King Bhumbibol in 1996, performing in 1997 at President William J. Clinton’s second inaugural in Washington DC, and in 2012, performing
for First Lady Michelle Obama at a Campaign Fundraiser for President Barack Obama at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City. A short list of ‘who’s who’ artists Matthews has performed with
over the years include Joe Williams, Arthur Prysock, Jay McShann, Bloodstone, Carmell Jones, Ahmad Alaadeen, Frank Foster, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Benny Powell, Hank Jones, Benny Carter,
Milt Jackson, Lou Donaldson, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Johnny Mathis, Nancy Wilson, Marlena Shaw, Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Rosemary Clooney, Charles Earland,
Chick Corea, Regina Carter, Marcus Roberts, Wynton Marsalis, Ellis Marsalis, Tom Scott, Tito Puente, Neal Hefti, Buddy Guy, Bobby Rush, Robert Cray, Bettye Lavette and Keb Mo’. Matthews released
his debut CD, ‘Will Matthews Solo’ in November of 2000. His second CD titled ‘Count on Swingin’ was released in 2009 and features organist Mel Rhyne (Wes Montgomery Trio), saxophonist Bobby Watson
(Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers), and drummer Kenny Phelps. Matthews was one of several guest artists performing on the 2010 PBS documentary ‘From Separate to Equal: The Creation of Truman Medical Center.’
The film featured Matthews playing his composition ‘Mikayla’s Song’ from the ‘Count on Swingin’ CD. Matthews is also featured in the Kevin Willmott film ‘Jayhawker’ performing a song in a night club
scene with vocalist/actress Queen Bey. When on break from touring, Matthews performs with his own groups: The Saturday Night Trio, Mood Swings, and The B-3 Organ Project.
He endorses D’Addario Strings, and D’Angelico Guitars Japan.

Band Bio Paragraph

Mark Schultz is a Contemporary Christian music artist from Colby, KS. He’s been nominated for numerous Dove Awards (the Christian Music equivalent of a Grammy), winning his first when the 2005 DVD/CD “Mark Scultz Live: A Night of Stories & Songs” was named Long Form Music Video of the Year at the 2006 Dove Awards Ceremony. The Word Records release also attained Platinum status (sales of two million copies or more), peaking at #6 Pop and #12 on the Christian music charts.
As one of Christian Music’s most compelling storytellers and recognizable voices, Mark Schultz has become enormously popular. During a music career now spanning several decades, Shultz has recorded numerous hit singles, albums and DVD’s with a crossover appeal pushing sales worldwide into the millions. While grateful for all the worldly success he’s been blessed with, Mark has never lost sight of his primary goals in life: to remain a humble servant of God that does His will and spreads His word, while being a loving husband and father to his wife and children. To those ends, he has for some years now scaled back on touring, recording and performing in order to focus with his wife on raising their three children.
This doesn’t mean Schultz is retiring from a life in music. It means he’s reordering that life. For the rest of his life, that order will be Mark Schultz: Christian man, Family man, and Music man.

Band Bio Paragraph