CHUCK ANDERSON - BMHOF CLASS OF 2023

As a musician and producer, and founder and owner of Imagine Event Center and Imagine Recording Studios, he was instrumental in the musical revitalization of Buffalo’s Black Rock community. 

Chuck’s love for music started as a young boy at home in Kenmore. He taught himself to play a Fender Telecaster and recorded himself on a small two-track tape machine. Soon, he had started a band, called The Barons, that won a battle of the bands at the Boulevard Cafe. The other members included Jim Ralston, David Lassick, Dave Riley and Bill Friday. 

The Barons changed their name to The Mood, and started playing shows in venues around the area, including a movie theater purchased by Chuck’s parents in Niagara Falls. that was turned into a teen nightclub called The Gorge. In 1966, The Mood recorded two songs, written by Anderson, at Tommy Calandra's recording studio, produced by Gary Mallaber, who also played congas on them.

By 1974, The Mood had broken up, and Anderson built a small studio in the attic of his family’s business on Hertel Avenue. The musicians who worked there included Mike Caputi, Jerry Livingston, Nick Veltri, Ken Kaufman, Harry Stewart and many others. 

In 1986, Chuck opened his first commercial studio, ARS, where he recorded commercial jingles and movie soundtracks. He moved this studio to 71 Military Road in Buffalo’s Black Rock. and changed the name to Audio Magic. Chuck eventually built two other studios in that building, before Robbie Konikoff and eventually Jason Hall took over the operation in later years. 

In 2013, Anderson started another business in Black Rock called Imagine Video and Photography. In 2017, he opened the Imagine Event Center in the rear building of the Military Road property. Chuck produced live music there for two years, before it became The Cave when it was purchased by the Halls and added to the Sportsmen’s Tavern’s family of properties. Armstrong continues to operate his office and video production company at the Military Road location, where he has produced numerous photo sessions and videos for local performers including Jesse Galante, DeAnn DiMeo, 
the BBC Band, Switch, Tom Lorentz and more. 

Chuck’s efforts have helped to create a “Music Row” in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood of Grant and Amherst Streets and Military Road. This community revitalization has created homes for music of all genres, from Indie, Americana, Rock and Blues, to Swing and Jazz. 

Anderson still plays guitar and writes songs, recording music and videos with the BBC Band for his daughter's wedding in 2016 and his son'swedding in 2021."