The concept for an Ohio Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum originated in 2009, when the Reverend Kenny Shiveley suggested the need to recognize persons responsible for advancing gospel music in the State of Ohio.  Reverend Shiveley contacted a group of Ohio-based gospel music performers and meetings began to create the OGMA.

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     In November of 2009, the OGMA was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in accordance with the regulations of the State of Ohio.  The official title became the "Ohio Gospel Music Association," requiring the use of this title on all official correspondence.  The purpose of the organization, as stated in the Article of Incorporation, is "honoring those gospel music performers, songwriters, broadcasters and promoters that are prominent in the history of gospel music in the State of Ohio."  The term gospel music within the OGMA will be limited to represent the following styles: Bluegrass Gospel Music, Country Gospel Music, Hymns, Southern Gospel Music and Traditional Black Gospel Music.  Within each style, vocal music will be limited to a maximum of five (5) voices typically defined as Solo, Duet, Trio, Quartet or Quintet being provided with or without instrumental accompaniment.  Please click below for a more detailed description of each category. 

 

     

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     With this purpose in mind, the OGMA founded the Ohio Gospel Music Hall of Fame as its means of recognizing those persons who have made significant and historical contributions to gospel music and who were born, or lived at some point, in Ohio.

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     When the Hall of Fame award idea was initiated in 2010, Advisory Board members personally donated the funds to cover various expenses associated with the initial in corporation.  In 2010, a series of fundraising concerts began where Advisory Board members donated their time and talents to raise funds to cover the costs of future annual awards programs.

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     Advisory Board members do not receive salaries and are prohibited from doing so by the nonprofit charter.  However, expenses may be reimbursed to them when they are engaged in promoting sanctioned Hall of Fame fundraising efforts or in the realization of the stated purposes and goals of the corporate charter.

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     All Advisory Board members are involved with making decisions concerning the Hall of Fame induction process.  To ensure the best representation, the State of Ohio has been divided into Nine (9) Districts and one (1) Advisory Board member has been selected from each District (See District Map below).

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     During induction ceremonies, a recognition trophy is awarded to each Hall of Fame inductee.  

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