Prestigious Local & National Music Industry Execs Prepare to Select 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees
Memphis, TN … Entering its fourth year of paying tribute to many of the greatest musical icons in American history, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame announces the newest members of The Hall’s prestigious Nominating Committee. The 2015 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Nominating Committee is comprised of local and national music executives who will share the critical task of selecting the 2015 musical inductees.
What was already set to be a night of incredible music is shaping up to be a night of incredible entertainment: the Memphis Music Hall of Fame is excited to announce that comedian/actor Marlon Wayans will host its 2014 induction ceremony November 6 at The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis.
“This is gonna be a blast,” Wayans said. “Sharing a stage with legends like Ann Peebles and Al Bell will be outrageous,” said Wayans. “We grew up with so many of those great Memphis hits played throughout our home. My brothers would try to emulate Al Green – but for me, how bad ass was Isaac Hayes, making vests outta chains? I can’t wait. This is gonna be a wild evening in Memphis, Tennessee.”
Wayans is known for blockbuster film roles in titles like Scary Movie, Don’t Be A Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Mo Money, Requiem for a Dream, Marmaduke, The Heat and more. Wayans has appeared on several popular television programs, including Fox’s “In Living Color,” Adult Swim’s “Childrens Hospital,” BET’s “Second Generation Wayans,” and The WB’s “The Wayan’s Bros.”, which was the highest rated comedy on The WB. Wayans can soon be seen in Openroad Film’s comedy A Haunted House 2, the sequel to the hilarious and successful A Haunted House. This year, TBS launched the new comedy competition series, “Funniest Wins,” hosted by Wayans.
“We were honored that Marlon wanted to play a role as we honor Memphis’ musical legends,” said John Doyle, Executive Director of the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. “This speaks to what the Hall of Fame tribute is all about. Whether you’re a student from Sweden, a housewife from Brooklyn, or a young actor like Wayans who’s films have grossed more than $7 million, in some way or another, Memphis music, including the music of this year’s inductees, has had an impact on your life. I think he’ll express that sentiment, and make it a fun evening for all while doing it.”
As emcee, Wayans will bring his trademark humor to what is already a jam-packed evening of music. Tribute performances announced earlier this week include GRAMMY® and Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer Sam Moore of legendary soul recording group Sam & Dave paying tribute to Ann Peebles; a tribute to the late Jesse Winchester by six-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally; Queen of the Blues and Blues Hall of Famer Denise LaSalle paying tribute to Carl Perkins; multi-platinum recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member B.J. Thomas paying tribute to Chips Moman; a performance by Big Star revival members Ken Stringfellow of R.E.M. and Jon Auer of The Posies alongside the only remaining original band member Jody Stephens to celebrate both Big Star and the induction of Ardent Studios founder John Fry; William Bell and Al Kapone fresh off the success of their documentary film Take Me to the River honoring former Stax Records chief Al Bell; among others.
Tickets are available for purchasethrough Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are $50 per person, or $100 per person for Gold Circle seating which also includes attendance to the post-concert VIP reception (these seats are very limited). Tickets are inclusive of Ticketmaster fees. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Additional information is also available by contacting Pam Parham at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum at (901) 205-2530 or at pam@memphisrocknsoul.org.
The 2014 Inductees join 38 previous inductees, including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Sam Phillips, Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf and other world-changing musicians, bringing the total number of inductees to 47.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum administers the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame announcement and induction, in cooperation with Memphis’ many music organizations and attractions. This is the third year that icons of Memphis music have been inducted. Each year, inductees are honored and celebrated through their own dedicated tribute page on the Memphis Music Hall of Fame’s award-winning web site (www.memphismusichalloffame.com), and each receives the Mike Curb Award, a locally hand-crafted trophy and the official award of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
On November 6 at 7 p.m., The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis will once again be filled with Memphis music legends, contemporary up-and-comers and a host of national touring artists who’ll descend upon the Bluff City to pay tribute to this year’s Memphis Music Hall of Fame Honorees.
The 2014 inductee list is diverse as ever, with jazz pianist and composer Lil Hardin Armstrong, Stax Records and Ardent Studios executives Al Bell and John Fry, bluesman Furry Lewis, power pop icons Big Star, legendary rock’n’roll pioneer Carl Perkins, folk rocker Jesse Winchester, Hi Records artist Ann Peebles and the architect of the American Studios sound, Chips Moman. The festivities will reflect that diversity, with a full evening packed with top-notch musical performances and tributes.
Highlights of the evening will include a tribute to Ann Peebles by GRAMMY® and Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer Sam Moore of legendary soul recording group Sam & Dave; a tribute to the late Jesse Winchester by six-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally; Queen of the Blues and Blues Hall of Famer Denise LaSalle paying tribute to Carl Perkins; multi-platinum recording artist and Grand Ole Opry member B.J. Thomas paying tribute to Chips Moman; a performance by Big Star revival members Ken Stringfellow of R.E.M. and Jon Auer of The Posies alongside the only remaining original band member Jody Stephens to celebrate both Big Star and the induction of Ardent Studios founder John Fry; William Bell and Al Kapone fresh off the success of their documentary film Take Me to the River honoring former Stax Records chief Al Bell; and much more. Additional special guests will be added and announced as the show date nears.
The induction ceremony will be produced for the second year in a row by Royal Studios owner and studio manager Boo Mitchell, son of legendary Hi Records producer and Hall of Fame inductee Willie Mitchell. For the show, he will bring back the inimitable Hi Rhythm to serve as house band for the evening.
“No other city could bring together such an incredible roster of musicians and honor them within a Hall of Fame,” said John Doyle, Executive Director of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. “These incredible Memphis musicians and producers literally changed the world. The city which they placed on the world map through their music is obligated to sing their praises and pay them the respect to which they are each individually entitled.”
Tickets are available for purchasethrough Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are $50 per person, or $100 per person for Gold Circle seating which also includes attendance to the post-concert VIP reception (these seats are very limited). Tickets are inclusive of Ticketmaster fees. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Additional information is also available by contacting Pam Parham at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum at (901) 205-2530 or at pam@memphisrocknsoul.org.
The 2014 Inductees join 38 previous inductees, including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Sam Phillips, Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf and other world-changing musicians, bringing the total number of inductees to 47.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum administers the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame announcement and induction, in cooperation with Memphis’ many music organizations and attractions. This is the third year that icons of Memphis music have been inducted. Each year, inductees are honored and celebrated through their own dedicated tribute page on the Memphis Music Hall of Fame’s award-winning web site (www.memphismusichalloffame.com), and each receives the Mike Curb Award, a locally hand-crafted trophy and the official award of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
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 am until 7 p.m. A tangible Memphis Music Hall of Fame exhibit and museum is now under construction at Second Street and 126 Beale, scheduled to open in Spring, 2015, and shared with Hard Rock Café and the new Lansky’s Bros. Clothiers. For more information about the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, visit www.memphismusichalloffame.com. For more information about the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, visit www.memphisrocknsoul.org. For more information about the new Hard Rock location, visit www.hardrock.com.
Carla and Vaneese Thomas sing a duet at the 2013 MMHOF induction ceremony.
On November 6 at 7 p.m., The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis will once again be filled with Memphis music legends, contemporary up-and-comers and a host of national touring artists who’ll descend upon the Bluff City to pay tribute to this year’s Memphis Music Hall of Fame Honorees.
The 2014 inductee list is diverse as ever, with jazz pianist Lil Hardin Armstrong, industry executives Al Bell and John Fry, bluesman Furry Lewis, pioneer Carl Perkins, folk rocker Jesse Winchester, Hi Records artist Ann Peebles and the architect of the American Studios sound, Chips Moman. The evening’s festivities will reflect that diversity, focusing on top-notch musical performances and tributes. The induction ceremony will be produced for the second year in a row by Royal Studios’ Boo Mitchell, and he’ll bring back the inimitable Hi Rhythm to serve as house band for the evening.
“No other city could bring together such an incredible roster of musicians and honor them within a Hall of Fame,” said John Doyle, Executive Director of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. “These incredible Memphis musicians and producers literally changed the world. The city which they placed on the world map through their music is obligated to sing their praises and pay them the respect to which they are each individually entitled.”
Tickets will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, October 7, through Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are $50 per person, or $100 per person for Gold Circle seating which also includes attendance to the post-concert VIP reception (these seats are very limited). Tickets are inclusive of Ticketmaster fees. The ceremony will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Additional information is also available by contacting Pam Parham at the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum at (901) 205-2530 or at pam@memphisrocknsoul.org.
The 2014 Inductees join 38 previous inductees, including B.B. King, Elvis Presley, Sam Phillips, Otis Redding, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf and other world-changing musicians, bringing the total number of inductees to 47.
The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum administers the annual Memphis Music Hall of Fame announcement and induction, in cooperation with Memphis’ many music organizations and attractions. This is the third year that icons of Memphis music have been inducted. Each year, inductees are honored and celebrated through their own dedicated tribute page on the Memphis Music Hall of Fame’s award-winning web site (www.memphismusichalloffame.com), and each receives the Mike Curb Award, a locally hand-crafted trophy and the official award of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
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. The inductee announcement held today marks the final event at Hard Rock Cafe Memphis at the 315 Beale Street location. Beginning this summer, Hard Rock Cafe Memphis will take residence at their brand-new space at 126 Beale Street. For more information about the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, visit http://www.memphismusichalloffame.com. For more information about the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, visit http://www.memphisrocknsoul.org. For more information about the new Hard Rock location, visit http://www.hardrock.com.
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2014 Memphis Music Hall of Fame Inductees
Lil Hardin Armstrong – She may be most famous as the wife of Louis Armstrong, responsible for shaping his career, but Lil Hardin, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, raised in a boarding house near Beale, was a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, singer, bandleader, and considered by most to have been the most prominent woman in early jazz.
Al Bell – A former disc jockey from Little Rock, Arkansas, who ran and later owned Stax Records, where throughout the 70s he drove the Memphis Sound internationally and made Stax the second-largest African American owned business in the U.S. He was vital to the careers of Stax’s soul stars like The Staple Singers, Isaac Hayes, Sam & Dave and others before becoming President of Motown Records Group and later forming his label, Bellmark Records.
Big Star – Original members Jody Stephens, Alex Chilton, Chris Bell and Andy Hummel… Rolling Stone Magazine credited Big Star with creating “a seminal body of work that never stopped inspiring succeeding generations” and defined them as “the quintessential American power pop band.” Big Star has been cited as an influence to such bands as R.E.M., Velvet Crush, The Replacements, and many more. In 2006, such bands as the Gin Blossoms, The Posies, Wilco and others came together to record the tribute album, “Big Star, Small World.”
John Fry – What he started in a converted garage at his parent’s house became an industry-leading studio that has, for more than 40 years, produced some of the best music in modern history. John Fry is all things Ardent… studios, label, video production… that world-famous studio on Madison Avenue. Ardent has continued Memphis’ musical legacy… from early Stax recordings, and since a who’s who of modern music have come through Ardent… ZZ Top, John Prine, Joe Cocker, R.E.M., the Gin Blossoms, B.B. King, Travis Tritt, Bob Dylan, the White Stripes and hundreds more.
Walter “Furry” Lewis – Walter Lewis, nicknamed “Furry” by his childhood playmates, moved with his family to Memphis in 1900. He became a songwriter, a country blues guitarist, vocalist and humorist. Furry became one of the first pre-war blues musicians of the 1920s to be rediscovered by the folk-blues revival of the 1960s, brought out of retirement, and given a re-launched recording career, opening for The Rolling Stones, appearing on the big screen and drawing international acclaim to his distinctive blues sound.
Lincoln “Chips” Moman – During the late 60s and early 70s Lincoln “Chips” Moman’s American Sound Studio experienced an unprecedented run of hits in the music industry, producing more than 120 charting singles, including 40 gold records. On several occasions, more than 20 of Billboard’s Hot 100 songs were produced at American Sound. Moman wrote or produced songs for Elvis Presley, including Suspicious Minds, In the Ghetto and more, Aretha Franklin, Petula Clark, Wilson Pickett, Waylon Jennings, Bobby Womack, B.J. Thomas, and many others. He produced the first hit for Satellite Records, the first single for Volt, and guided the career of The Box Tops.
Ann Peebles – A throwaway comment on a stormy night became a massive hit for our next inductee, the incomparable Ann Peebles. Husband Don Bryant snatched the phrase, wrote it into a song that night, and presented it to legendary Hi Record producer Willie Mitchell the next day. “I Can’t Stand the Rain” went on to be recorded or sampled by the likes of Missy Elliot, Tina Turner, and Seal, with John Lennon dubbed it “the best song ever.” Peebles continued to rack up 10 more R&B hits and her discography includes 15 albums.
Carl Perkins – In 1956, with his smash hit anthem “Blue Suede Shoes,” Carl Perkins virtually defined and established rockabilly music in the rock and roll cannon and helped launch Sun Records into national prominence. Carl Perkins is regarded as one of the founding fathers of rock-and-roll, and, of course, became a member of the legendary Million Dollar Quartet. Perkins influenced, among many others, John Fogerty, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, who said “If there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”
Jesse Winchester – Born in Shreveport but raised in Memphis, Winchester wrote some of the defining singer-songwriter tracks of the seventies, like “Yankee Lady,” “Biloxi,” and “The Brand New Tennessee Waltz” that ached with feelings of loss for the country he chose to leave in military protest. His songs gained him a cult following. He was considered such a formidable songwriter that a 2012 tribute album featured versions of his songs by James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, and Vince Gill, among others.
Memphis Music Hall Of Fame challenges students to make music using found objects
How do you make music? As the Memphis Music Hall of Fame prepares for its third induction ceremony this fall, it is calling on students to answer that question as they pay tribute to one of its recent inductees – The Memphis Jug Band – through the ‘Find the Music’ contest.
To fans of the blues, Hound Dog is not a pet — it’s a legend. It is one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” and in February 2013 it was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. In 62 years, “Hound Dog” has been recorded more than 250 times by various artists.
It’s Elvis Week, so it’s hard to focus on anything but the King — but did you know that Booker T. and the M.G.’s hit song “Green Onions” turns 52 on August 11?
At a press conference in June at Hard Rock Cafe Beale Street, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame announced the names of nine luminaries of Memphis’ rich musical legacy for 2014 induction into The Hall. Inductees announced included Lil Hardin Armstrong, Al Bell, Big Star, John Fry, Furry Lewis, Chips Moman, Ann Peebles, Carl Perkins and Jesse Winchester.
What began as an off-hand jam session almost 60 years ago helped explode a phenomenon that has since touched almost every person on the globe… rock ‘n’ roll. Sure, there were many years of various influences, including those by many of the greatest blues legends of all time, before a 19-year old Elvis Presley stunned a frustrated Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Studios and Memphis Recording Studio, on July 5, 1954 with his version of “That’s All Right” by bluesman Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup. Most point to that moment and that studio as the epicenter of rock ‘n’ roll.
The Smithsonian-developed Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum joins with Graceland and the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau in celebrating that moment, and the rambunctious 60 years which followed. The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum now features “60 Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll” an exhibition of star-studded memorabilia and a timeline which traces many of the highlights and headliners of the past six decades, open through January 2015. The exhibit features memorabilia from such rock ‘n’ roll legends as Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Isaac Hayes, Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and others, and reminds museum visitors of many of rock music’s most earth-shaking, headline-grabbing events.
Rock'n'Soul Museum Memphis 