Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame

10/17/2026

What a night Friday! ✨🙏🏼✨

See you Saturday for more epic inductions and beautiful magic. 6pm doors, 7pm show. Tickets available at the gates!

Thank you, Nebraska!

10/16/2026

We like to send our condolences to all the friends and family of one of this year’s inductees, legendary Mark “Madison Slim” Koenig. He passes a few days ago. ✨

It will be a beautiful weekend celebrating the life of this iconic Zoo Bar and nationally touring artist, as well as his bandmates in Little Jimmy Valentine & the Heart Murmurs, October 16-17, 2026 at the Pla Mor Ballroom.

This below video is a fantastic highlight, when he played the Conan O’Brien show with Jimmy Rogers and Jimmy D Lane (both on guitar). Thanks to B.J. Huchtemann and Jimmy D. Lane for sharing this video.

Here is a post from his bandmates in Florida:

Sad news coming from Wisconsin this week that our long-time bandmate, Madison Slim, has made his final curtain call.

Madison Slim’s history with the Legendary Blues Band, Jimmy Rogers, and Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys, is well, legendary.
So it was a surprise when Slim showed up, unannounced and unassuming, at Cork’s Cigar Bar in Bradenton FL one Sunday night in 2012 for the weekly blues jam we hosted there. Slim returned each Sunday, and for a few weeks he just sat at the bar and listened. When he was finally coaxed into bringing his whistles and playing, the fit became obvious and Slim soon joined the Jewel Tones.

Slim’s stage presence was pure unadulterated swagger, second only to his harmonica playing. His traditional tone was masterful. He was old school and all cool.

Though Slim had put his touring days behind him, he played all the local Florida gigs with the Jewel Tones until his retirement from playing in 2018 and subsequent move back to Wisconsin. Throughout his tenure with the Jewel Tones, Slim made many fans and friends in Florida, and we were all sad to see him go.

The recording of Close… but No Cigar was the brainchild of south Florida’s Dr. Mike Ancona. Dr. Mike is a huge fan of Slim’s and was compelled to fill the solo recording void that would become Slim’s legacy. In early 2014, Slim’s old buddies Barrelhouse Chuck and Billy Flynn were summoned to Florida, and along with the Jewel Tones, Close… but No Cigar was recorded over two days at the Blue Rock Bakery Studio, a small boutique studio set back among giant Florida live oak trees. The recording is exactly what you would expect from Slim and his notable supporting line-up: Chicago blues excellence. The disc was not largely marketed, but if you were lucky enough to buy a (hopefully signed) copy from the stage, you would have in your possession a lasting testimony to the renown greatness that was the incomparable Madison Slim.

Rest in peace, friend.

Madison Slim, born Mark Koenig on August 9, 1947.

Jimmy D Lane appearing with his father Jimmy Rogers on Conan O'brie...

10/15/2026

There WILL be some food items (burgers, nachos, full bar, and more) this weekend at the Pla-Mor Ballroom! Come out early, grab a table, and munch on some goodies!

Tickets available until tonight at midnight online, or in person at Dietze Music or The Zoo Bar:
www.NebraskaPerformingArts.com

Then, at the door! ✨🔥✨

10/15/2026

Bobby Layne says “Get on out to the Pla Mor this weekend for the BIG SHOW!!!”✨

Tickets available today for discounted price, otherwise they’ll be at the door. 🚀

www.NebraskaPerformingArts.com

10/15/2026

Congratulations to one of Nebraska's finest: The Boys

Long before proto-punk, pre-punk, or art punk became a household term, Lincoln, Nebraska, had a band making some serious noise!

Formed in 1972, The Boys were among Nebraska's pioneering rock bands, blending infectious melodies, driving guitars, tight harmonies, and high-energy performances into a sound ahead of its time. Cod pieces and all.

The lineup featured Danny Shonerd (guitar/vocals), Allen Havlicek (guitar/vocals), Terry Pieper (bass/vocals), and drummer Steve Koontz (1972–1975). The infamous Phil Shoemaker joined later on drums (1975–1979).

At a time when many regional bands relied heavily on cover songs, The Boys were writing and recording their own material, helping establish a place for original rock & roll in Nebraska. The group released three singles on Outrage and Titan! Records, including the unforgettable “You Make Me Shake” and “(Baby) It's You.”

Although The Boys called it quits in 1980, their music never completely disappeared. Decades later, Chicago's acclaimed Numero Group helped introduce their recordings to a new generation of listeners through reissues, proving that great Nebraska rock & roll deserves to be heard well beyond the Cornhusker State!

More than 50 years after their formation, we're proud to recognize The Boys for their contributions to Nebraska's original music scene and welcome them into the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame!

Come celebrate The Boys and an incredible lineup of Nebraska music legends at our two-night induction celebration!

📅 October 16–17, 2026
📍 Pla Mor Ballroom – Lincoln, Nebraska
🚪 Doors at 6 PM | Music at 7 PM

🎟️ Get your tickets now at www.NebraskaPerformingArts.com

Let's celebrate the bands that helped build Nebraska's rock & roll history!

10/14/2026

🎶 THE LIGHTNING BUGS ARE HEADED TO THE HALL OF FAME! 🎶

Since 1987, Lincoln’s own The Lightning Bugs have been keeping the sounds of classic swing and vocal jazz alive! They’ve appeared at your favorite Christmas parties, backyard shows, highbrow stage performances, even with local orchestras! Featuring Steve Hanson, Jim Pipher, and Reynold Peterson, this talented trio brings the absolute best in smooth harmonies of the Mills Brothers and Ink Spots to life with their signature “Moonbeam Swing” sound. Their characters shines on stage, and light up the night…wherever they’re performing.

We’re thrilled to welcome these Nebraska favorites into the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame! 🌟

🎵 October 16–17, 2026
📍 Pla Mor Ballroom – Lincoln, NE
🚪 Doors at 6 PM | Show at 7 PM

Come celebrate Nebraska’s incredible musical history with two nights of live performances and legendary artists!

🎟️ GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!
www.NebraskaPerformingArts.com

10/13/2026

Big thanks to Tim Pratt (Dude’s got a big ❤️) and Dietze Music for sponsoring this years Hall of Fame induction.

Head on in to either location in Lincoln and buy some stuff! Then, pick up your tickets to the event “no fee”. AND…You get a collectors ticket to the show!!!

- buy instruments at Deitze 🎸
- buy your physical collector ticket at Deitze or Zoo Bar
- support ALL of our sponsors (The Zoo Bar, On Point Insurance, Legacy Retirement, Eagle Printing, Red Rebel Media, and KZUM) 🚀

10/12/2026

The Tijuana Gigolos are being inducted this Saturday night, October 17th, 2026. It's going to be EPIC, TO SAY THE LEAST!!!

Get your tickets now at: www.NebraskaPerformingArts.com or save on fees and buy them in person before Friday, at: The Zoo Bar or Dietze Music

10/09/2026

Congratulations to SKUDDUR on their 2026 Induction into the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame.

Get your tickets here, and don't miss this epic weekend event, October 16-17th at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Tickets available here:
https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/nebraskaarts/nebraska-performing-arts-hall-of-fame-2026-induction-ceremony-and-show

SKUDDUR's history is undeniably amazing!

1980 Z-92 Radio Ad for Peony Park Royal Grove Show “The most controversial, most powerful, most hated, loved, and abused group in the area, Skuddur...today starting at 4:00 pm the Royal Grove will ignite with rock music until your forehead explodes!”

In 1973, Jeff Morris formed Skuddur, in Chadron, Nebraska while attending Chadron State College. Early band members called each other “scutter” while drinking b**r and watching reruns of the television series Gunsmoke... it soon became the band's name.

Skuddur played original songs and rock covers in an acoustic style that band members called “Beergrass Music.” Jeff moved to Omaha in 1975, and Skuddur went electric, gaining popularity by playing original songs and country-rock covers in a style they called “Cow Punk” on an extensive seven-state touring circuit around Nebraska. In 1979, Skuddur adopted a Garage and Punk Rock style, releasing a vinyl 45 rpm single “Let’s Go Steady b/w
“Strike Force” that became #8 in Omaha after receiving heavy KQ98 air play. A 1980 follow-up four-song vinyl EP included “Rock Candy, Love Slave, and Met My Girl At The Rehab Center.”
After performing for large concerts with Jesse Colin Young, the Earl Scruggs Revue, Ogden Edsel, Head East, and Savoy Brown, Skuddur was the opening act at three 1980 Omaha Music Hall shows with Rick Derringer, George Thorogood, and the
Ramones. Canadian promoters visiting Omaha for a Heart concert hired Skuddur for the August 1980 “Rock ’N’ Roll ’80” two-day outdoor festival concert in Prince George, BC, Canada featuring Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, Elvin Bishop, JJ Cale,
the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Master of Ceremonies Wolfman Jack introduced Skuddur, and following the event, band members unanimously decided not to accept a six-month offer to open for George Thorogood’s
concert tour. Skuddur returned to Omaha to record a full length album, and temporarily disbanded after the master tapes mysteriously disappeared.

In 1985, Jeff regrouped Skuddur to play live shows primarily in Nebraska and Iowa, and in 2016 recorded “Tough As Nails,” the band’s first full-length album. In late 2018, Skuddur began recording songs for the next album and regularly performed shows until the COVID shutdown in early 2020, when all scheduled shows were canceled.

In 2021, Skuddur assembled unreleased recordings, including outtakes from the lost 1981 album, and wrote a memoir about the band’s nearly 50-year history for the Roar From The Garage Box Set.

In 2022, Jeff received a liver transplant, and after receiving a clean bill of health in 2025, he recorded a new album, “Lords Of Cowpunk Mountain,” and released the “Skuddur 2025 Hall Of Fame Single,” featuring two songs originally recorded in 2018.

Skuddur members graciously thank the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame for the honor of being inducted and the privilege of performing live music again.

10/05/2026

Get your tickets NOW as we welcome this monster band into the Hall of Fame, October 16-17th! Let’s welcome Little Jimmy Valentine & the Heart Murmurs to the Hall of Fame!

They will be inducted Saturday, Oct 17, but come all weekend as it’s going be an enormous time!

Pictured circa 1976:
Brad Heiliger, Cidlick, Sean Benjamin, Doug Rosekranz, Larry Boehmer

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT The Zoo Bar or Dietze Music (both locations) fee free or online at:
https://nebraskaperformingarts.com