weekly October 21, 2024, Issue 932
Stars & Stone For Hall Inductees
Three performances honoring each of this year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees – John Anderson, James Burton and Toby Keith – had concluded at Sunday evening’s Medallion Ceremony (10/20) when CMHoF CEO Kyle Young indicated something out of the ordinary was about to take place. Before one final tribute rolled through, an already highwattage gathering of artists saluted the 153rd, 154th and 155th members of the Hall for what Young termed the “deep and distinctive stamp” each made on country music. Anderson’s path began in Apopka, FL and, after moving to Nashville and taking a day job John Anderson in construction, led to the Grand Ole Opry … or its roof, anyway. “People used to ask him if he’d ever been on the Opry, and he’d say ‘lots of times – every day for 10 months,’” laughed Bobby Braddock, who had the honor of inducting the “roofer with a reefer” in the Veterans Era Artist category. Musical performances began with Shawn Camp’s “I Just Came Home to Count the Memories,” Del McCoury Band’s “Would You Catch A Falling Star” and Lucinda Williams’ James Burton “Wild And Blue.” Reflecting on his journey to the Rotunda, Anderson said, “There were a lot of hills and valleys, twists and turns and dead stops, but there was a lot of adventure, and I wouldn’t change with anyone because it was my way.” Modern Artist Era category inductee Keith forged a path that, like Anderson’s, often found him running along the edge. ”An outsider who didn’t play the Nashville game, but who was willing to roll the dice and face the Toby Keith consequences,” said Young. Post Malone opened the musical tributes with “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight” before Blake Shelton’s medley of “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup” and Eric Church’s “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” “I wish Toby were here to sing it, but I’ll do my best,” said Church. (continued on page 8)
Golden Boy: Play It Again/Columbia’s Dylan Marlowe celebrates his first gold-certified single, ”Boys Back Home (f/Dylan Scott).” Pictured (l-r) are SMN’s Jen Way, Randy Goodman, Caryl Atwood, Lauren Zimmerman and Ken Robold, Marlowe, SMN’s Jason McColl and Taylor Lindsey, PIA’s Dallas Davidson and Cade Price, SMN’s Nathan Thomas and PIA’s Alyssa Ramsey.
NSHOF: Al Anderson
Spotlighting inductees ahead of the Nov. 11 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala continues with Al Anderson. Anderson got his start in the ‘60s fronting the Wildweeds and subsequently spent more than 20 years as the lead guitarist for NRBQ. He broke into country songwriting with the Carlene Carter song “Every Little Thing” and went on to co-write “Unbelievable” (Diamond Rio), Al Anderson “Should’ve Asked Her Faster” (Ty England), “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” (The Mavericks) and “The Cowboy In Me” (Tim McGraw), among many others. See the profile of fellow inductee Victoria Shaw here. (continued on page 3)
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