The Vocal Group Hall of Fame (VGHF) is an American-based hall of fame that honors vocal groups throughout the world in every genre of music. Headquartered in the Columbia Theatre in Sharon, Pennsylvania, it includes a theater and a museum. It was established in 1998 by Tony Butala, the founding member (and now only surviving original member) of The Lettermen. The VGHF typically inducts sixteen artists annually. Unlike the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, artists are inducted within categories, with each category having at least one representative. These categories include 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and duos. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame releases a public ballot, allowing everyone to vote for both the nominees and the inductees. While only groups are eligible, solo vocalists may be inducted if they have a legitimate backing band with backing singers (for example, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers). The VGHF has been on hiatus since 2008, as well as the theater and museum.