Next year, pop superstar Taylor Swift will be inducted into the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame.
The organization, which started recognizing musicians in 2020, aims to recognize up-and-coming local musicians, and give flowers to musicians who have made an impact that extends far beyond central Pennsylvania. It culminates with an annual ceremony.
For Brandon Valentine, executive director and founder of the hall of fame, inducting Swift has been a long time coming.
Swift was born in West Reading, Berks County, and grew up in Wyomissing, before moving to Tennessee when she was a teenager to continue pursuing a country music career.
“In year one of our organization, her team asked us to show a pattern of success before they would commit to her acknowledging (the induction),” says Valentine in an email to LNP | LancasterOnline. “We feel that we have done that, and to go any longer without inducting her (as one of the biggest global stars) is impossible.”
In tandem with announcing that Swift would be inducted into the local hall of fame in 2027, the organization also announced that it would do Swift-themed open mics, concerts and a compilation album. Event dates have not yet been announced.
The Central Pennsylvania Youth All-Star Band also released a music video for its version of “You Belong With Me,” sung by 13 girls and women. Part of the video was filmed outside of Swift’s childhood home, as well as inside the Wyomissing Area Junior-Senior High School. None of the singers are from Lancaster County, Valentine confirms.
(Watch the video below. The article continues after the video.)
As far as Valentine’s concerned, the ball is in Swift’s court for responding.
“Every inducted act has acknowledged in some way, shape or form,” Valentine says. “So, now it’s Taylor’s turn to acknowledge her roots.”
The Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame’s inductees include rock band LIVE, Lancaster County-founded metalcore band August Burns Red, rock band Halestorm, Bret Michaels (of Poison), Martie Maguire (of The Chicks), pop band The Ocean Blue and many more.
For more information, visit cpmhof.com.
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