The Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame Celebration on Sept. 6 honored Richmond’s influence in music. Performances featured Richmond High School’s Steel Band Ensemble and Richmond’s Drumline, an Acoustic Blues Songwriter Round with Chris Yakopcic, Joe Waters, Lisa Biales and Achilles Tenderloin and a special performance from a young artist.
Festival spotlights NHS musician
A Northeastern High School senior performed “Strive to Be Happy” and “Ghost Garden” marimba solos during Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame celebration on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Alaina Webster, who has played marimba for eight years, said the opportunity to perform was “really cool.”
Alaina Webster plays a marimba solo during the Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame celebration Sept. 6. Photo by Millicent Martin Emery 
Guest speakers Charlie Dahan, professor at Middle Tennessee State University and Bob Kissel, blues director for Bloomington radio station WFHB, share insights on Gennett Records and this year’s featured artist, late blues musician Charley Patton. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery 
Richmond High School’s Steel Band Ensemble performs Saturday, Sept. 6, at Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame Celebration. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery 
Richmond High School’s Steel Band Ensemble performs Saturday, Sept. 6, at Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame Celebration. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery 
Richmond High School Drumline performs Saturday, Sept. 6, at Starr-Gennett Foundation’s Walk of Fame Celebration. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery 
Joe Waters. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery 
Chris Yakopcic. Photos by Millicent Martin Emery
She received a scholarship from the foundation for her first year of private lessons with Thom Crist in 2020. She currently studies with Keith Cozart Steele, who directs Earlham College’s percussion program.
Webster’s parents, Lisa and Craig Webster, say the scholarship has made a huge impact on her life and opened up many opportunities.
In January, Webster was one of 17 students selected through auditions to perform in the All State Percussion Ensemble during the Indiana Music Education Association conference.
In addition to Northeastern’s band, she also plays in Richmond Community Orchestra and Earlham’s Rhythm Project and Hand Drum Ensemble.
Webster plans to study music performance at Ball State or Indiana universities.
The Richmond-based Starr-Gennett Foundation preserves, promotes and celebrates the legacy of Gennett Records and its parent company, the Starr Piano Co.
A version of this article appeared in the September 10 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.