The Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro North Carolina has announced this years inductees to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. As with previous years, all of the inductees will be honored and officially put into the Hall of Fame during a live ceremony and show on June 9th, 2018. If you like traditional mountain music and culture from the Blue Ridge region, you should really consider attending this event. It is well produced and will feature live performances from either the inductees themselves, their families, or the house band which is comprised of some amazing pickers. The music is always outstanding and the evening will end with everyone up on the stage for a final jam (which is ALWAYS good!). So, who are the inductees for this year?
Jimmie Rodgers
Known as the father of Country music or the Singing Brakeman. Jimmie Rodgers has been credited with being an early influence on most modern music having already been inducted into the Country Music Fall of Fame(1961), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame(1986), and the Songwriters Hall of Fame(1970). He lived an unfortunate short life but left a huge mark on music and culture.
The Easter Brothers
The Bluegrass Gospel singers from Mount Airy North Carolina have been performing for more than four decades.
Hazel Dickens
Singer and songwriter from West Virginia, Hazel Dickens was a pioneer for women in bluegrass music.
The Galax Old Fiddlers Convention
The world’s oldest and largest fiddlers convention will be celebrating their 83rd year and induction into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame!
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
A nonprofit record label which captures folk-life and cultural heritage.
J.E Mainer
An old time fiddle and banjo player who was a pioneer of Blue Ridge music.
George Shuffler
A North Carolina bluegrass guitar player and pioneer of the cross-picking style.
Bill Williams
This years recipient of the Dr. T.R. Bryan Wilkes Heritage Music Award
Congratulations to all of this years inductees! If you are interested in attending this years ceremony, you can get tickets by visiting the Wilkes Heritage Museums website at www.wilkesheritagemuseum.com. We will be there!
