Earlier
this month, at the Gibson Showcase Lounge in Memphis, 13 new inductees
to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame were celebrated in in words and
music. This latest round of inductions, following last year's inaugural
event, honored The Bar-Kays, The Blackwood Brothers, Rev. Herbert W.
Brewster, Johnny Cash, Roland Janes, Albert King, Memphis Jug Band,
Phineas Newborn, Jr., Knox Phillips, David Porter, Sid Selvidge, Kay
Starr and Carla Thomas.
The
city of Memphis, recognized globally as the home of the blues and the
birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, launched the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in
2012. The 2013 Induction Ceremony brought the Inductee roster to 38. The
Hall of Fame is administered by the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock
‘n’ Soul Museum.
Lifting
the roof from the very beginning was national gospel recording artists
Kevin Davidson & The Voices, paying tribute to Rev. Herbert W.
Brewster. They were joined by choir members from East Trigg Avenue
Baptist Church, the church led by Rev. Brewster from 1930 until his
death in 1987. Worship at The Gibson Showcase Lounge continued with the
induction of The Blackwood Brothers and a harmonizing, crowd-raising
performance by the current members led by Billy Blackwood, son of
founding member James Blackwood.
While
musical tributes honored many of the inductees, Stax legends Carla
Thomas and The Bar- Kays wowed the audience with their own performances.
Carla belted out her 1960 hit, “Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes),” with
sister Vaneese Thomas on backing on vocals. The Bar-Kays, including
front man and original member James Alexander as well as original member
Ben Cauley, brought the crowd to their feet with performances of “Soul
Finger” and “Freakshow on the Dance Floor.”
Other
musical highlights included blues icon Bobby Rush performing a rousing
performance of Johnny Cash’s “Walk the Line,” backed by the legendary Hi
Rhythm Section, and Bad Company frontman Paul Rogers, in town
recording, honoring inductee Albert King with a soulful rendition of
King's “Born Under a Bad Sign.” Producer Jimmy Jam paid tribute to
legendary songwriter and performer David Porter followed by an explosive
rendition of the Isaac Hayes / David Porter-penned hit “Hold On, I’m
Coming,” and performed at the ceremony by rising Memphis artist and 2013
finalist on NBC’s The Voice, Kris Thomas.
The
late Sid Selvidge, who performed in the influencial 1970s alternative
rock group Mudboy and the Neutrons and as a solo artist, was honored
with a stirring performance by Sons of Mudboy, with lead vocals
performed by son Steve Selvidge, and also with original Mudboy and the
Neutrons member, Jimmy Crosthwait. Until his death this past May,
Selvidge produced the popular syndicated radio show, Beale Street Caravan, heard on radio stations around the globe.
The
2013 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony performances were
produced by Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, owner of Memphis’ iconic Royal
Studios and son of legendary Hi Records producer and 2012 Memphis Music
Hall of Fame inductee Willie Mitchell.
The
thirteen 2013 Inductees will also be joining the 2012 Inductees, which
include Elvis Presley, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Sam Phillips, B.B. King,
Jerry Lee Lewis and others, on the award-winning Memphis Music Hall of
Fame web site at www.memphismusichalloffame.com.
Inductees
are selected each year by a Nominating Committee of local and national
music professionals, including studio owners, producers, authors, and
historians.
In
response to November 7, 2013 inductions, Memphis Mayor AC Wharton
commented, "Everywhere I go, people know Memphis, Tennessee. Every
country around the world recognizes Memphis as the epicenter of music.
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame lends focus to this fact, and pays
tribute to the musical pioneers and icons whose contributions to our
culture and our heritage, both locally and globally, are unequalled.”
The
Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum is located at 191 Beale Street at
FedExForum, and was researched and developed by The Smithsonian
Institution. The museum is open daily from 10:00 am until 7:00 p.m. For
more information, visit www.memphisrocknsoul.org.
2013 Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction gallery (higher resolution versions available on request)
David Porter, Bobby Rush and Boo Mitchell; Carla Thomas; The Blackwood Brothers
The BarKays; Bobby Rush; Kris Thomas
David Porter and Jimmy Jam; Knox Phillips and Mike Curb: Paul Rodgers
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