GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME2003 INDUCTION CEREMONY

GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME
2003 INDUCTION CEREMONY

(featuring Kenny Rogers, Indigo Girls, Bill Anderson, Ray Stevens, William Bell, Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, Chips Moman, Joe South, Third Day, Alan Walden, Mike Curb, Nicole Crews and NIA with presentations by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, Senator Zell Miller and Michael Greene)

September 13, 2003
World Congress Center - Atlanta

Governor's Reception Band:

Pre-show:

Lineup:

Bill Anderson:

Ray Stevens:

Ray Stevens Inducting Mike Curb:

Mike Curb:

William Bell:

William Bell inducting Alan Walden:

Alan Walden:

Third Day:

Nicole Crews:

Thankfully, this would-be-stuffy, black-tie affair and sit down dinner was livened up by the unpredictable nature of the artists inducted this evening. After a limp opening half-hour that featured country crooner/host Bill Anderson doing an awful song called “Country Fried” followed by novelty legend Ray Stevens covering Sinatra and introducing a heartfelt, but schmaltzy new hawk anthem called “Thank You,” I was ready to go home. Luckily, soul man William Bell fared better with “Tryin’ To Love Two.” Then, the fun began. An amazing songwriters-in-the-round session with Buddy Buie, J.R. Cobb, Chips Moman and Joe South was the high point of the whole night. Hearing this quartet trade songs like “Spooky,” “Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” “Hush,” “Luckenbach, Texas,” and “Champagne Jam” felt completely unique. Unfortunately, contemporary Christian act Third Day and neo-girl group NIA couldn’t live up to the stunning talent of the songwriters. Indigo Girls was inducted by former National Academy Of Recording Arts & Sciences president Michael Greene. The duo took the opportunity to deliver a speech to the audience (which included Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Mark Taylor and U.S. Senator Zell Miller) regarding tolerance in Georgia and the world. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers also thanked their parents, friends and co-workers for all the support. Clearly appreciative of the honor, the two then performed “Become You” and “Closer To Fine.” The top honor tonight, however was reserved for Texas-born Kenny Rogers. He’s been in Georgia for the last couple of decades, though, and apparently that’s enough to be a “Georgian” according to the Hall Of Fame. The consummate professional, Kenny did a completely entertaining mini-set that featured bits of stand-up comedy bridging songs like “The Greatest” and “The Gambler.” To wrap the event, Rogers sang a new arrangement of “Georgia On My Mind.”