2017 Inductees
ERIC BENÉT
Milwaukee native and four-time Grammy Award nominee Eric Benét began his early days singing lead for the pop group Gerard in the late 80s and later with the band Benét. Signed to Warner Bros as a solo artist in 1994, Benét released his debut album in 1994, but it was his sophomore release in 1999 that garnered him his first No. 1 R&B single, “Spend My Life With You,” featuring Tamia. Benét continues to record and tour, and to date, has released nine studio albums. He has also garnered recognition as an actor in television and film.
Short Stuff
Founded in 1969 by blues harmonica player Jim Liban, Short Stuff was a mainstay on the Milwaukee blues scene until 1984. Junior Brantley joined the line-up shortly after the inception of the band, adding his unique keyboard stylings and vocals. The band released two albums and several 45’s on the Third Coast Records label.
Bryan Lee
Born in 1943 in Two Rivers, Grammy nominee Bryan Lee, also known as “Braille Blues Daddy,” lost his eyesight as a young boy and was legally blind at the age of eight. By the age of 15, Bryan was playing guitar and singing for audiences across the Midwest.
In the late 1950s, he opened for Bill Haley & The Comets. From the 1960s thru the 1970s, Lee’s music interest became heavily influenced by the sound of the Chicago Blues. He was based out of New Orleans since 1982. Lee was a fixture in the French Quarter and also toured around the country regularly. He had 15 albums to his credit.