Ernie Williams

Albany’s own Ambassador of the Blues, the late Ernie Williams, is slated to be among the first Capital Region musicians inducted into the New York State Blues Hall of Fame on Sunday (November). Williams – who died in March at the age of 87 – and his band members (Rocky Petrocelli, Charlie Vatalaro, Mark Emanatian, Mike Kelley and Steve Aldi) are scheduled to be among the nearly two dozen inductees who will be honored at the awards ceremony at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany on Sunday afternoon.

In addition to Williams, the New York State Blues Hall of Fame – an affiliate of the national Blues Hall of Fame – will also bestow posthumous honors to Steve Katz.

Slated to kick off at 1pm on Sunday, the ceremonies will honor many of Nippertown’s finest blues musicians, including Charlie Smith, George Boone, Mark McKay, Michael Tremante, Luke McNamee, George A. Fletcher, Trish Anderson, Mark Tolstrup, Tom Healey, Scotty Mac and Ted Hennessy.

In addition, several individuals and organizations who have helped keep the blues alive and thriving in the Local 518 will also be inducted, including Troy radio station WRPI-FM and Steve Daub (the station’s “Stormy Monday” radio show host), photographer-writer Robin Murray, concert promoter Jim Anderson and Last Vestige Record Shop in Albany.

Each of the inducted musicians will perform, and the event will be hosted by the Michael Packer Blues Band. Admission is $10.

Here’s the schedule of events for the New York Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday afternoon at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany:

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