Musicians Hall of Fame Inducts Ninth Class At Star-Studded Nashville Ceremony
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Linda Chambers, Don Felder, Britt Chambers-Hawker, Keith Urban, John Boylan, Moira Hopkins, Dann Huff, Michael McDonald, Leland Sklar, Ricky Skaggs and Richie Owens. (Front Row, L-R): George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Buddy Leach, Bill Blough, George Thorogood, Jeff Simon and Jim Suhler. Photo: Royce DeGrie, Musicians Hall of Fame.
The Musicians Hall of Fame inducted a new class during a sold-out ceremony at the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts last night (April 28) honoring Dann Huff, Dolly Parton, who received the Industry Icon Award, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, John Boylan, who received the Producer Award, Keith Urban, Leland Sklar, Michael McDonald and Nicky Hopkins (posthumously).
The evening began with a private friends-and-family medallion ceremony held in the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts’ Brad Paisley Ballroom. Inductees received commemorative Hall of Fame medallions and custom jackets presented by Linda Chambers, co-founder and CEO of the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum, with help from special guests and 2016 inductees Ricky Skaggs and Don Felder. Following the presentations and a group photo, inductees met with media along a 40-foot red carpet, followed by a Champagne reception.
Photo: Royce DeGrie for The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
The main program was hosted by actor and musician Sam Palladio and featured the Musicians Hall of Fame all-star band, comprised of Brent Rader, Mark Beckett, Paul Franklin, Mark Hill, Chris Leuzinger, John Jarvis, Michael Rojas, Sam Levine, Eric Darken, Alicia Enstrom and Gordon Kennedy, with background vocalists Marcia Ware Wilder, Brent Rader and Tania Hancheroff.
The evening featured tribute performances and presentations honoring each inductee. Dweezil Zappa presented George Thorogood & The Destroyers (George Thorogood, Jeff Simon, Bill Blough, Jim Suhler and Buddy Leach), joining the band for their first song, “Move It On Over.” The band closed their set with performances of “Who Do You Love” and “Bad to the Bone.”
Bernie Leadon presented John Boylan, with a tribute highlighting Boylan’s production work, including “More Than a Feeling,” led by Buck Johnson; “Love Has No Pride,” performed by Trisha Yearwood, and “Silver Threads & Golden Needles,” featuring Yearwood with Don Felder and Alicia Enstrom.
Leland Sklar was honored by Tony Brown, with performances including “Running on Empty,” featuring Wendy Moten; “Your Smiling Face,” and “How Sweet It Is,” joined by Garth Brooks.
Photo: Royce DeGrie for The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Steve Lukather introduced Dann Huff. The tribute included “Here I Go Again,” performed by Buck Johnson; “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Wendy Moten, and “Waiting on a Whisper,” performed by Huff on acoustic guitar.
Peter Frampton honored Nicky Hopkins with a tribute and medley including “Sympathy for the Devil,” “Revolution” and “Angie,” performed by Buck Johnson. Vince Gill followed with “You Are So Beautiful.” Hopkins’ widow, Moira Hopkins, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Sheryl Crow presented Dolly Parton, who shared remarks via a pre-recorded video message. A tribute followed with a medley of “I Will Always Love You,” “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “9 to 5,” performed by Steve Wariner.
Photo: Royce DeGrie for The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
Ricky Skaggs presented Keith Urban, who performed an acoustic version of “Long Hot Summer” before being joined by the all-star band for “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me,” and “When Summer Comes.”
Vince Gill presented Michael McDonald, who performed “What a Fool Believes,” “Keep Forgettin’,” and closed the evening with “Takin’ It to the Streets,” joined by fellow inductees, special guests, presenters, and the All-Star band.
“After this evening, The Musicians Hall of Fame will have inducted 200 musicians, producers, engineers and industry icons to its prestigious family,” says Chambers. “Each new class of inductees reminds us why we do what we do – preserving and celebrating the legacy of the musicians who bring songs to life. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these artists into the Musicians Hall of Fame.”
