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Alrighty Freaks!


Alrighty Freaks! Before you know it, it's going to be time to kick off the 8th annual election to the Rock 'n' Roll Freaks Hall. So let's take a minute to catch up on where we are and where we'll be going moving forward. 

How we select inductees has evolved over the years. We literally made up the rules out of thin air back in 2014 and have been tweaking the formula ever since. For a little while, there was an imperative to "catch up" and recognize all of the worthy artists, groups, and contributors that would have already been in the Freaks Hall for years if we'd been around for even a fraction of the time that the Rock Hall has been around. In the last few years, I've made an effort to pump the brakes a bit as the need for large classes has disappeared into the rear view mirror. As the administrator of this project, I've tinkered around with the system almost every time, trying to find that perfect formula. 

At this point, I'd really like to settle into a permanent normal. In my opinion, from here on out, the "perfect" class size should probably be 5 - three artists/groups from the main ballot, one from the oldies ballot, and one from the contributor or sidemen ballot. Classes could be 6, 7, or even more if there are ties but I think that 5 would end up being the norm in the long run. So here are what our once and for all revised election rules moving forward, at least for the foreseeable future. 

Performer Ballot: 15 nominees who debuted at least 35 years ago (for our class of 2021, that would be 1985). Each voter selects up to five (minimum 2). Top three get in. 

Oldies Ballot: 8 nominees who made their recording debut more than 65 years ago (for our class of 2021, that would be no later than 1955). Each voter selects 3 (no minimum). #1 gets in.

And on alternating years we would have either a Contributors or a Sidemen Ballot: 8 nominees who made their debut at least 35 years ago. Each voter selects 3 (no minimum). #1 gets in.  For the class of 2021, we will have a Sidemen Ballot, the next Contributors Ballot will be for 2022. 

One more tweak, for simplicity, and to give the Hall an even stronger identity, only members of Thee Loyal Rock 'n' Roll Freaks group on Facebook will be able to vote. I will invite people to join the group on the Freaks Facebook Page and on the blog, but they'll have to request membership to get a vote.

Mark Your Calendars!

Oldies and Sideman Ballots: Announced Friday, October 2. Polls close on Friday, October 9. 

Performer Ballot: Announced Friday, October 16, polls close Friday, November 13. 

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