Saturday, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame held this year’s induction ceremonies.
This class includes singer song writer Gary Baker, best known for his work with The Backstreet Boys. The award was presented to him best two of his best friends, Backstreet Boy’s Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson. They then to everyone’s delight, performed one of Gary’s songs.
Also in this class was pioneering rhythm and blues singer Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. Thornton was born outside Montgomery.
The third inductee was entrepreneur/businessman Elton Bryson Stephens, whose philanthropy and business sense helped save he Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
The fourth inductee was Huntsville native Mervyn Warren, a multi-faceted entertainment industry professional who is a performer, songwriter, television and film score composer, and producer.
Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board member former State Representative Perry O. Hooper Jr. said, “The Alabama Music Hall of Fame staff once again produced a World Class night of entertainment while honoring another class of highly deserving inductees. I look forward to this night with anticipation every year, and it keeps getting better and better. It’s unbelievable how much Alabama has contributed to the word of American music. The accomplishments of these Alabamians honored in the Hall of fame is not limited to any single style of music, nor are they restricted to just performers. Their achievements span the complete spectrum of music from sophisticated classical composition to humble gospel songs.
“The Alabama Music Hall of Fame was a dream and goal of the Muscle Shoals Music Association, a Shoals-area based professional organization of producers, musicians, songwriters, recording studio owners and other music professionals,” Hooper said. “In 1980, the State legislative created the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board. Its mandate is to honor Alabama’s great music achievers and maintain a facility in which to showcase these talented individuals and their accomplishments.”
Board member, Taylor Hicks was the Master of Ceremonies. American Idol runner-up Bo Bice and the star-studded Swamppers Band with David Hood opened the show with The Rolling Stones classic “Brown Sugar,” which was recorded nearby at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in December 1969.
Jamey Johnson, who was born in Enterprise and raised in Montgomery, entertained the crowd with a song from his current tour. Jamie’s annual homecoming concert raised a record amount, $514,000 for pancreatic cancer research.
On April 24, Mobile natives and 2017 Hall of Fame inductees the Wet Willie Band will be performing in Montgomery at Landmarks Foundation of Montgomery’s Tavernfest, in Old Alabama Town.
Call 334-240-4500 for tickets and more information.
