Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The 2019 Inductees to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame pose with their awards following the ceremony. Top L-R: Tim O’Neill, Paul Peterson, Patty Peterson, John McKay and John Holmquist. Bottom L-R: Ryan O’Neill, Jason Peterson and Sharon Coopman with photo of husband Ernie Coopman.

NEW ULM — The Minnesota Music Hall of Fame added six new inductees to its rolls during a special ceremony Friday at Turner Hall.

This was the 31st annual induction ceremony to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame (MMHF). The 2019 inductees included John and Sara McKay, John Holmquist, Soul Asylum, Ernie Coopman, The O’Neill Brothers and The Peterson Family.

John McKay is a concert pianist, performed widely in Europe, Canada and the United States. He taught piano and music history at Gustavus Adolphus for 28 years. He founded the Minnesota Valley Sommarfest which presented concerts of chamber music every summer for 17 years. His wife Sara sang over three hundred concerts as a soloist with The Festival Singers of Canada and l’Ensemble Vocal de Bruxelles. In 1979 she co-founded the St. Peter Choral Society and directed the choir in annual performances of great masterpieces for choir and orchestra.

John McKay accepted the award on their behalf. Sara passed away recently on Oct. 22.

“My wife and I were very honored to receive this recognition,” McKay said. He said of his achievements the MN Valley Sommarfest was his greatest. He said Sara’s was the St. Peter Choral Society.

John Holmquist is widely regarded as one of the finest classical guitarists of his generation. A musicians’ musician, his recitals and recordings have received high critical and popular acclaim.

Holmquist said it was an honor to receive the award and he was proud to join MMHF along with his peers and friends.

Holmquist credited his family for starting him out in music. Both his parents were musicians and there was always music in his house. He also thanked his teacher, Jeffery Van, saying he was one the best guitar teachers in the country if not the world.

He also thanked his wife Alma for helping keep everything organized.

Soul Asylum is an American rock band formed in 1981 in Minneapolis, best known for the Grammy-winning 1993 hit “Runaway Train”. The band played at the first inauguration of President Bill Clinton. The band was unable to attend the ceremony but the award was accepted in their honor.

Ernie Coopman, Mankato was known for polka music throughout the Midwest, especially in Minnesota. In addition to being heavily involved with tuning concertinas, Coopman also led several bands throughout his musical career. He was best known as the leader of the Jolly Home Brewers and his latest band, The Stagemen.

Coopman passed away in 1998, but his wife Sharon and daughter Jolene Tischer accepted the award in his honor. Tischer said he did not chase award, he played because he loved the music. Even years after his passing, the family continues to hear positive stories from people he knew and performed with.

The O’Neill Brothers (Tim and Ryan) of New Prague have released over 40 CDs of piano music. They’ve performed for several governors and US Presidents. The O’Neill Brothers have provided music for NBC, CBS, ESPN, PBS, and HBO. Their Wedding CD is the top-selling in the United States.

Both Tim and Ryan thanked their father for his support. Ryan said he was their number one fan.

The brothers encouraged parents and grandparents to let their children follow musical dreams. Ryan cited fellow inductees The Peterson Family as an example that musical life was possible.

“You don’t have to do things the conventional way,” he said.

The Peterson Family (Linda, Billy, Patty, Ricky, and Paul), Minneapolis are referred to as “Minnesota’s First Family of Music.” Everyone in the Peterson Family is a musician/singer. The family has played with Dizzy Gillespie, Bob Dylan, Steve Miller, Prince, Kenny Loggin, Michael Bolton, and countless others.

Jeanne Arland Peterson, the matriarch of the Peterson clan, was inducted into the MMHF in 1992 as the Grande Dame of Minnesota Jazz. Her children and grandchildren all followed in her musical footsteps.

Paul, Patty and Jason Peterson accepted the award for the entire Peterson family. Linda, Billy and Ricky were unable to attend due to performances elsewhere but all sent messages of gratitude for the award.

“We’re blown away by this honor,” Paul Peterson said. “We never take music’s healing powers for granted.”

“Growing up we were always surrounded by music,” Patty Peterson said. “When we were kids we would ask other children what instrument does their dad play?”

She thanked God for blessing their family with musical talent and they were an honor to share their gifts.

The Peterson Family has a scholarship through the University of Minnesota that supports undergraduates students, with a specific focus on jazz music.

“We want to include the next generation,” Patty said. “We will continue our legacy through music and love.”

An Inductee Showcase event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the MN Music Hall of Fame at 27 N. Broadway. The showcase is free to the public and refreshments. It is a chance for visitors to see the new inductee displays and view all the previous inductees from the last 31 years.