Music City, Inc. announced the fourth class of inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: Steven Curtis Chapman, Merle Kilgore, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Steve Wariner, Kirk Whalum and Hank Williams Sr. The honourees were recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, April 20th in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, was sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), and was free and open to the public.

The Chapman Family (Chapman’s father is on the left)
[Click image to enlarge]

The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar and sponsors GAC, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.

“It’s a pleasure to honour the accomplishments of this talented class of inductees,” said Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Each honouree represents the immense talent, creativity and diverse musical styles that have made Nashville, Music City.”

Created in the fall of 2006, the Music City Walk of Fame, on Nashville’s Music Mile, is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration. With the induction of this new class of honourees, there will be 24 total stars along the Walk of Fame. A new brochure promoting the Walk of Fame is now available in Visitors Centers, hotels and venues across the city.

Permanent sidewalk medallions made of stainless steel and terrazzo, with each honouree’s name displayed in a star-and-guitar design, were installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaques for this class of inductees will be inlaid in Hall of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.

Nominations were open to the public and accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms were reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee.

“The Music City Walk of Fame continues to celebrate the enormous talent which has originated from Nashville over the years,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “It continues to be an honour to be involved with the Walk of Fame program as it continues to grow and recognize the rich tradition and heritage that only Nashville can claim as its own.”

PHOTO GALLERY [Click on images to enlarge]

Chapman with the family before the ceremony

Dallas Holm had the honour of introducing Chapman

A deserving standing ovation

A humbling moment for one of the nicest people in Christian music

Chapman’s wife, Mary Beth, and the family in the audience

Just before This Moment, Chapman turned to Mary Beth and said, “Let’s give them something to talk about.”

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