Blues Hall of Fame Calls Hopatcong Man

A Hopatcong man has carved himself a place among blues greats.

"Uncle Pete" Hoff was recently notified he'd be inducted into the New Jersey Chapter of the American Heritage Blues Hall of Fame. Hoff, 57, has hosted the two-hour "Uncle Pete's Blues Party" Sundays on WNTI 91.9 FM of Hackettstown, featuring blues acts big and small, for the past two years and has been on the air for about four and a half.

Hoff said he wouldn't look at the honor as a crowning achievement, but as a way to expand his reach and to showcase more of the music he loves.

"It feels very good I have to tell you," he said. "But I take it in not a way like a lifetime achievement award … but I guess it helps the profile of the show get bigger and bigger.

"It's really just spreading the music that's been around for a long time in our area and, really, all over the world."

Hoff got hooked on blues early. He said at his first concert at age 13 he saw legendary blues guitarist Albert King. Then he spent his life enjoying the music mostly at small clubs in cities like Chicago and New York.

A U.S. Postal Service marketing representative by day, Hoff said he spends hours each week preparing his show, which showcases "good blues bands all around the world."

"But, really, we have such good performers locally that you don't really have to go far to find good artists."

"I don't judge the success of the show based on bigger-named stars, or even how I'm identified with the show. I try to tailor it to present blues from all over the place, from club acts and up."