Pete Drake Enters Georgia Musician’s Hall

Pete Drake

Musician’s Hall of Fame Member, pedal steel guitarist, producer, and recording artist Pete Drake will be inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame during the 32nd Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show on September 11, 2010. Nashville musicians being inducted along with Drake (also posthumously) include songwriter John Jarrard and songwriter/recording artist Paul Davis. Other inductees in the class of 2010 include India.Arie, The Black Crowes, and Jennifer Larmore. Held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in North Atlanta, the ceremony will be televised live at 8:30 PM on Georgia Public Television.

Drake will be honored for his amazing four-decade career as an artist, producer and studio musician. Drake recorded with hundreds of artists, including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Waylon Jennings, just to name a few. He produced Ringo Starr’s first solo album Beaucoups of Blues, as well as projects with Ernest Tubb, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Charlie Louvin.

Drake’s wife and long-time business partner, Rose Drake, will attend the ceremony and accept the award in his honor.

“Pete was very proud of his Georgia roots, so it is really an honor for our family to have him recognized as a member of the Hall of Fame,” she says. “If he could have been here to attend the ceremony, I know he would have been thrilled.

The complete list of 2010 honorees is as follows: Performer- Multi-GRAMMY® winning R&B Soulstress, India.Arie; Group- Multi Platinum Rock and Roll Band, The Black Crowes; Non-Performer- Industry leader in Artist Management, Charlie Brusco; Classical- outstanding American mezzo-soprano and GRAMMY® winner, Jennifer Larmore; Pioneer- Virtuoso Classical Pianist, Charles Wadsworth; Singer/Songwriter, Paul Davis; Steel Guitarist, Pete Drake; Blues Musician, Rev. Pearly Brown; and songwriter, John Jarrard.

The evening will include live performances by The Black Crowes, Jennifer Larmore, legendary rock band, STYX and this year’s Horizon Award recipient, Spanish/Engish singer, Tyna Q. The Horizon Award is given to an up and coming performing artist or songwriter, either individual or group, with significant ties to the State of Georgia, and who is expected to make a significant future contribution to the world of music.

The awards are hosted by the Friends of Georgia Music Festival, a non-profit organization that honors the many achievements of Georgia musicians, songwriters, composers, conductors, publishers and agents. Each year, Friends of Georgia Music nominates, elects, and inducts honorees into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, celebrating individuals who have made a significant contribution to Georgia’s musical traditions.