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Inductee

KORY and the FIREFLIES were formed in the summer of '94 by its leader, Kory Van Sickle. Kory had just returned from London, England where he'd been modeling for Levi's as well as recording and performing with a band that the iconic Jeans company had assembled for him. The group was made up of well known London based musicians including drummer Neil Conti (Prefab Sprout), who produced the recordings they tracked at the famous Townhouse 3 Studios. Inspired by the experience, Kory set out to form his second band at home and caught what would become the first "Fireflies" performing at The Pomp Room, Arthur Wallace (bass), Dave Sundem (guitar) and Will Nevious (drums). The group started rehearsing and entered Half & Half Studios to record the first KORY and the FIREFLIES album, Sparks Fly. The band began performing live, getting airplay in the region and supporting a handful of National Acts. People were taking notice and their fan base began to build. There was a changeover with bandmates and soon Kory and the "new" Fireflies, Andy Yost (drums), Darin Lindblom (guitar) and Steve Holbeck (bass) entered Pachyderm Studios to record the band's second album "Radiate". There was more airplay, bigger crowds and more opportunities for the band as they signed a record deal with Samson Music. The label re-released Radiate internationally and flew the band to Los Angeles to shoot their very first music video for their single "Sometimes". The song was worked to radio and ultimately reached Top Ten on the Up & Coming Chart in The Gavin Report. After recording their third album "Everyone" (Pachyderm Studios) and fourth album "Love to Give" (Baby Elephant Studios), the group really hit its stride with its longest running lineup and longest tenured members at their positions, Chris Beyer 25 years (lead guitar), Al Berven 20 years (drums) and Jason Vetos 18 years (bass). The band has headlined multiple outdoor events on some of largest stages throughout the region including headlining Ribfest in Sioux Falls for 10 years straight and they continue to add to their long list of national artists they've shared the stage with. 

In KORY and the FIREFLIES' nearly 30 years they've consistently delivered energetic shows with a gift for connecting with their audiences. The band has performed throughout the U.S. and in Mexico and played in everything from small energetic clubs to venues as prestigious as The Kennedy Center and in front of crowds as large as 50,000 at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip as sole support for Def Leppard. In addition to KORY and the FIREFLIES four full length CDs ("Sparks Fly", "Radiate", "Everyone" and "Love to Give"), they have released two live DVDs and shared the stage with over 80 national acts including; Sheryl Crow, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Journey and Cheap Trick (*see entire list below). The band has had airplay in all 50 states with their singles, "Sometimes", "Virginia", "Pop Fly", "Everyone" and "She's Comin' Back Again". "Everyone" and "Pop Fly" both reached "Top 20" in New Music Weekly and "Pop Fly" has also been played in Major League Baseball Stadiums across the country. Their single, "She's Comin' Back Again" aired on over 20 National T.V. Networks supporting the hit show Trading Spaces and "Let it Shine" was used for a statewide campaign honoring everyone impacted by Covid. In addition to those previously mentioned, other members/players through the years include; Brian Masek (bass), Jeff Paul (sax/keys), Gary Widmann (keys), Danny Yost (sax/percussion) and Scott Jibben (bass).

Throughout KORY and the FIREFLIES career, Kory has also developed creative and philanthropic ways to use the band and his guitar company, Firefly Guitars US, to help raise over 3 Million for various charities, helping others that are dealing with difficult life challenges. KORY and the FIREFLIES have always made an effort to create positive music and positive moments for their audiences and continue to do their best to spread peace and love in hopes of helping make the world just a little brighter...like a firefly.

*NATIONAL ARTISTS that KORY and the FIREFLIES have shared the stage with; 3 Doors Down, 38 Special, The Alarm, Alice Cooper, America, April Wine, Bacon Brothers, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Blessid Union Of Souls, Blind Melon, Blood Sweat & Tears, Blues Traveler, BoDeans, Boston, Bret Michaels, Cheap Trick, Citizen King, Collective Soul, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Dave Matthews, Deep Blue Something, Def Leppard, The Donnas, Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, Everclear, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Family Force Five, The FIXX, Foreigner, Gary Allan, Gin Blossoms, Goo Goo Dolls, The Guess Who, Heart, Hinder, Hootie and the Blowfish, Huey Lewis, Jackson Browne, The Jayhawks, John Mellencamp, John Waite, Jonny Lang, Journey, Kansas, Kid Rock, Little River Band, Lou Gramm Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Mathew Sweet, Matthew West, Neil Young, Night Ranger, Nine Days, The Outfield, Pat Benatar, Peter Frampton, RED, REO Speedwagon, Rick Springfield, Robby Krieger (The Doors), Sebastian Bach, Seven Mary Three, Sheryl Crow, Sister Hazel, Smash Mouth, Soul Asylum, Spin Doctors, Sponge, Squeeze, Stroke 9, Styx, Sugar Ray, Susan Tedeschi, Switchfoot, Tesla, Three Dog Night, Theory of a Deadman, Tonic, Vince Neil, The Wailers

Awards

2023Bands