About — Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation

Board of Directors

Board President

Patrick Gormley

Patrick resides in Niagara Falls, NY and serves as Director of Communications for Complete Senior Care, a nonprofit program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. He brings a passion for community, music, and service to his role leading the SAMF board.

"I'm at the center of the Venn Diagram of non-profit work, musical passion, and educational opportunity."

His musical tastes run from the Beach Boys and Paul Simon to The National and Arcade Fire. Fun fact: Patrick occasionally presents talks on astrophysics and human space exploration.

Board Vice President

Greg Hennessey

Greg lives in the Town of Tonawanda and works as Account Director for Marketing Tech in Buffalo. He hosts and produces In the Flamingo Lounge with Rockabilly Greg, a podcast celebrating Buffalo's musical history.

"I want to support the community through music."

Fun fact: He wears bowling shirts and shops where Elvis shopped — online, from Memphis.

Board Treasurer

Norman Murray

A former CEO, Norm describes himself as "an anytime educator, veterans supporter, speaker, international facilitator, and picker & singer of songs." He performs country, folk, and vintage rock & roll for baby boomer and military veteran audiences across Western New York.

Board Secretary

Angela Hastings

A lifelong arts supporter raised by musician parents, Angela is an accomplished dancer and ballet practitioner who has worked with notable companies throughout her career. She currently teaches at Neglia Conservatory. A former SAMF board member (2015–2018), she coordinated membership drives, managed the gift shop, and handled event logistics before returning to serve again.

"My dedication and passion for SAMF continues."

Board Member

Jack Freedenberg

A recently retired trial attorney with forty years of practice in product liability, aviation, and fire litigation, Jack is also a piano player, singer, and founding member of The Kensingtons, who have performed at Sportsmen's Tavern since 2014 and were named SAMF Band of the Year in 2018.

A South Buffalo native, Jack joined SAMF motivated by his own childhood experience: "My parents somehow managed to provide piano lessons for me." He knows what that kind of opportunity means to a kid.

Board Member · Past President

Jason Hall

Son of SAMF founder Dwane Hall, Jason became Chairman in 2018 and served as Board President from January 2021 to January 2025. He continues to expand the Foundation's reach and Americana music appreciation through its programs while operating the family's Buffalo venues: Sportsmen's Tavern, The Cave, and Sportsmen's Park. He carries forward his father's conviction that "progress is essential for sustainability."

Board Member

Bill Heussler

An Amherst resident working as a Commercial Realtor with Hanna Commercial Real Estate Agency, Bill is a devoted live music consumer with deep roots in American roots music — the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, Little Feat, and The Band. He was drawn to SAMF's mission to "encourage, promote, and support local Americana music of all eras."

"I'm really a hippie disguised as a weatherman."

Board Member

Kimberly Miers

A graphic artist and music enthusiast, Kim has promoted local bands through her artwork since her early days at Kinko's. She designed the music publications (rockstar.), SMASH, and flavir, and worked at the alt-newsweeklies Buffalo Beat and Bluedog Press. Today she is Senior Graphic Designer and Webmaster at Buffalo Spree Publications, Inc. She attends shows regularly with her husband Jeff.

Board Member

Geoff Nason

Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Buffalo State University, Geoff joined SAMF board to support bringing "instruments and lessons to the region's under-served communities." A long-time Western New York resident and Hamburg native, he appreciates Americana in its full sweep — from Hank Williams through Gram Parsons to Lucinda Williams. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University at Buffalo and an MBA from St. Bonaventure University. He is married with three children.

Board Member

Dan Regan

A Canisius College graduate with more than thirty years of banking experience in commercial lending and internal audit, Dan retired in 2022. He has been a lifelong local music lover — as a fan, writer, reviewer, and occasional promoter. Extensive banking travel gave him perspective: "I soon realized the WNY music scene was second to none." A Town of Tonawanda resident, Dan has a well-earned reputation as a regular at Sportsmen's Tavern.

Board Member

Michael Lee Jackson

Board Member

Bruce Supernault

Senior Partner at Impact Financial Strategies, Bruce is Past-President of both the WNY Chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Buffalo Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He also serves on the boards of Buffalo Arts Studios, the Disability Education and Advocacy Network, and the Hutch-Tech Alumni Association. A graduate of Canisius University and SUNY Buffalo, Bruce is a Buffalo resident with three children and three grandchildren, focused on "bringing value to members of the Western New York community."

In Memoriam

Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Denise Hall

June 24, 2026 · Beloved by the entire Sportsmen's family

The Hall Family · Photo: Michael Lee Jackson

Denise Hall with Ian Gillan at Sportsmen's Tavern

Denise Hall & Ian Gillan at Sportsmen's Tavern · Photo: Bob Mussell

A Note from the Executive Director

Jeff Miers · July 9, 2026

Dear friends and supporters of SAMF —

As many of you surely know, the Hall family and the Buffalo music community as a whole lost a guiding light with the passing of Denise Hall on June 24.

From the beginning, Denise has been the heart and soul, not just of her family, but of the extended family that includes all of us who have spent any time at the Sportsmen's Tavern, Sportsmen's Park, or the Cave.

That family includes the Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation, which was born from Dwane and Denise's desire to safeguard music education opportunities for future generations, and to build community through music.

As wife to Dwane, mother to James, Jason and Jeff, and grandmother to Eric, Denise exemplified the virtues of hard work, community engagement, kindness, and belief in the deep and lasting impact that a shared love of music can have on all of us.

One need look no further than her sons to witness those core beliefs in action. As anyone who frequents the Sportsmen's Tavern will tell you, the overriding feeling there is one of familial love — a love that is extended to seasoned patrons, first-time attendees, the staff, and the musicians on the stage, in equal measure.

When a beloved member of a community passes, that community feels the loss, and grieves it. While Dwane, James, Jason, Jeff and Eric have been so deeply involved in their own grieving, they've also had to shoulder that community's collective grief, all while maintaining the business that is their family legacy. To witness the way they've conducted themselves with such grace, integrity, kindness and selflessness during this period is to feel Denise's spirit and to understand her indelible impact on her husband, her three sons, and her grandson.

Here at the SAM Foundation, we are deeply committed to carrying Denise's legacy forward.

My friend and SAMF board member Jack Freedenberg spoke eloquently at the recent memorial service, and reminded us that the best way to honor Denise is to actively celebrate her legacy.

"Go see some extra live music shows this month. Check out and support the foundation's events. Always remember, live music is shared joy. Nothing could better honor Denise's memory."
— Jack Freedenberg, SAMF Board Member

Rest in peace, Denise, and thank you for the gifts you've given all of us.

With gratitude and love,
Jeff

Tributes from the SAMF & Sportsmen's Community · July 2026

Angela Hastings · Board Secretary

"We feel the loss deeply, but your spirit remains the heartbeat of our Sportsmen's family. Lucky us to have known your smile, your laugh, your strength, your love, and we will never forget it."

Dan Regan · Board Member

Dan recalls a spring encounter with Denise outside Sportsmen's Tavern. After discussing how the original bar had grown into a community hub over four decades, Denise unexpectedly thanked him for his support of the Sportsmen's and her family. Her parting gesture — humble acknowledgment despite her central role in building the venue — became his lasting memory of her character.

Jack Freedenberg · Board Member

Jack describes Denise as profoundly impactful to countless musicians and music lovers. While Dwane Hall served as the public face of Sportsmen's since 1985, Denise managed operations behind the scenes as a vital partner — handling paperwork, finances, and strategic decisions that kept the institution alive for four decades.