MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME PRESENTED BY GIBSON GUITAR ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR NOVEMBER 2011 CLASS
Seven Honorees Earn Stars on Nashville's Music Mile
Nashville, Tenn. - Music City, Inc. today announced the newest inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: Kix Brooks, Alan Jackson, Manuel, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dottie Rambo, Les Paul and Dan Miller. The honorees will be recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, November 6, beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public.
The induction of this class will bring the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 58. The Music City Walk of Fame, located 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.
Permanent sidewalk medallions with each honoree's name displayed in a star-and-guitar design will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaques for this class of inductees will be inlaid in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
"Each of these inductees into the Walk of Fame has definitely left their creative mark on Music City in their own unique way," said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It is the creative collaboration shown by these talented individuals that make Nashville, Music City."
The program's newest partner, Durango, sponsors two stars annually and has added a charitable component to the program, celebrating former Inductees to the Walk of Fame. Many of the past inductees have autographed and decorated a pair of Durango boots, which will be auctioned online during December. All proceeds will benefit the Music City Inc. Foundation to sustain and grow the Walk of Fame event. The decorated boots will also be on display to the public during the month of November at the Visitor Information Center located in Bridgestone Arena. Go to visitmusiccity.com for the online auction.
"Our partnership with the Walk of Fame is a natural extension of our existing synergy with country music and Nashville," said Amber Vanwy, Marketing Manager for Durango. "The auction and display allows us to support this wonderful event while also honoring those who have contributed to the music industry in Nashville, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to be involved."
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, Durango, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.
Nominations were open to the public and were 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.
Music City Walk of Fame Inductees:
Manuel
Manuel is best known for creating celebrity personalities through fashion designs. Manuel created Johnny Cash's famous 'Man in Black' ensemble, Elvis' iconic gold lame suit and the signature 'cowboy' look for all three Hank Williams, among many others. Country greats have worn Manuel's designs for years, including Little Jimmy Dickens and Marty Stuart, who is noted to have more than 3,000 pieces of custom Country Cowboy Couture. Manuel has designed clothing for other noted celebrities, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr., Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and Bob Dylan.
Today, his shop Manuel's on Broadway serves as both a custom design studio for western couture garments and also an international tourist destination. His award-winning fashion creations have been seen on display at the Metropolitan, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian, and locally at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Dan Miller
Dan Miller is one of the most revered broadcasters in Nashville's history. In the 1980s, Miller hosted his own Sunday evening program, Miller & Company, a magazine-style show featuring conversational interviews with celebrities and elite figures of the day. The program was the first in Nashville's history to bring musical artist into viewer's dens for in-depth and personal conversations. The program featured celebrated musicians such as Minnie Pearl, Tammy Wynette, Dick Clark, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey, Willie Nelson and Gene Autry. Miller & Company was featured on WSMV, Channel 4 in Nashville for seven years, and was resurrected later in Miller's career on TNN (The Nashville Network) for three years.
Miller's broadcast career spanned five decades. He began his career at WSMV, Channel 4 in Nashville, first as a weathercaster then 16 years as the primary news anchor. He left the market to work with a Los Angeles station, then joined the late-night talk show "The Pat Sajak Show." Miller returned to Nashville's WSMV-TV's anchor desk in the mid-90s, where he remained until his untimely death in 2009.
Miller earned numerous awards throughout his broadcasting career, including multiple Emmy Awards. He was voted Best News Anchor in local Nashville publications more than 20 times and recognized as the Most Popular News Anchor in the United States in 1986.
Dr. Bobby Jones
Dr. Bobby Jones a multiple award-winning gospel music singer and national television host, most recognized as the host and executive producer for the national cable program, Bobby Jones Gospel, which is broadcast from Nashville.
Bobby Jones Gospel, the first and only nationally televised black gospel show, first aired on the cable channel BET in 1980, and today remains one of the network's most popular shows. The program features performances from all styles of gospel music and interviews with an array of gospel artists. Jones also created Bobby Jones' World, a magazine-style show that blended gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. He wrote and performed Make A Joyful Noise, a black gospel opera which aired on PBS in 1980, for which he subsequently won the Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award.
Jones and his gospel performance group, New Life, have won Grammy and Dove Awards for their outstanding performances. In 1990, he received the GMA's Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. Jones received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Tennessee State University, and a Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University. He currently resides in Nashville.
Dottie Rambo
Dottie Rambo, known throughout the industry as the Queen of Gospel Music, is a world renowned singer, songwriter and musician. Throughout her 60+ year career, Rambo wrote over 2,500 songs, both for herself and for some of the music industry's most notable stars. Her legendary songs have been recorded by music icons such as Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Carol Channing, Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton.
Her own musical career included being a songwriter, soloist and leader of her family trio 'The Singing Rambos,' later known as simply 'The Rambos,', which brought her opportunities to work with Barbara Mandrell and Porter Wagoner among others. Some of her more noted works include "I Go To the Rock," "He Looked Beyond My Fault" and "I Will Glory In The Cross."
She has received multiple Grammy and Dove awards, the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Rambo died in a tragic bus wreck in 2008 as she traveled between tour stops.
Les Paul
Les Paul will forever be synonymous with the electric guitar. At an early age, Paul was interested in experimenting with sound-related inventions. He specifically explored creating a stringed instrument that could make electronic sound without distorting. The result was the creation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar, which went on to become one of the most popular of all electric guitar models, serving as a staple instrument for rock 'n' roll's guitar elite. Rock musicians associated with the Gibson Les Paul include Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Paul is also credited with creating many innovative audio techniques including overdubbing, tape delay and multi-track recording, all of which aided in making the rock 'n' roll sound possible.
Paul was also a noted musician, recording two #1 hits with his wife, Mary Ford, in the early 1950s and recording a Grammy-winning album of instrumental duets with Chet Atkins, Chester and Lester in the late 1970s. He won two additional Grammys at the age of 90 for his album American Made/World Played. Up until his death he continued to be one of the primary icons and spokespeople for Nashville-based Gibson Guitar.
Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson is one of today's most prolific and award-winning songwriters. The Georgia native has written or co-written 24 of his 35 #1 songs, including "Remember When", "Where I Come From," "Chattahoochee" and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)". His songs have also proven hits for other artists including Randy Travis and Clay Walker. Jackson has been named Songwriter/Artist of the Year by NSAI and ASCAP numerous times and was inducted into the elite Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October.
Jackson is one of the most honored country music singer-songwriters in the last 20 years. He is a Grand Ole Opry member and three-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year with a total of 16 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards and two Grammys to his credit. He has released 19 albums, topped the country charts 35 times and has scored more than 50 Top 10 hits while amassing over $60 million in total record sales. Jackson has called Nashville home for more than 25 years.
Kix Brooks
Kix Brooks has been performing and writing songs since the age of 12. In 1990, he teamed with Ronnie Dunn to create Brooks & Dunn, who became the highest-selling duo in the history of country music, selling more than 30 million records and enjoying 23 #1 hits. They have won more than 80 major industry awards, and currently hold the record for the number of awards won at both the ACM and the CMA Awards. Brooks & Dunn retired from performing as a duo in 2010, but Brooks continues to work in the industry, serving as host of American Country Countdown, an internationally-syndicated radio program.
Brooks is also an active civic leader in Nashville. He has served as both President and Chairman of the Country Music Association. He remains an active member of the CMA and has served as a member of the Nashville Music Council, a select group of professionals appointed by Mayor Karl Dean chosen to bring the city of Nashville and the Music Industry closer together. Brooks is also on the board of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and previously served on the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. He is the local spokesperson for Monroe Harding Children's Home and is a founding partner of Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, TN.
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The induction of this class will bring the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 58. The Music City Walk of Fame, located 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.
Permanent sidewalk medallions with each honoree's name displayed in a star-and-guitar design will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaques for this class of inductees will be inlaid in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
"Each of these inductees into the Walk of Fame has definitely left their creative mark on Music City in their own unique way," said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. "It is the creative collaboration shown by these talented individuals that make Nashville, Music City."
The program's newest partner, Durango, sponsors two stars annually and has added a charitable component to the program, celebrating former Inductees to the Walk of Fame. Many of the past inductees have autographed and decorated a pair of Durango boots, which will be auctioned online during December. All proceeds will benefit the Music City Inc. Foundation to sustain and grow the Walk of Fame event. The decorated boots will also be on display to the public during the month of November at the Visitor Information Center located in Bridgestone Arena. Go to visitmusiccity.com for the online auction.
"Our partnership with the Walk of Fame is a natural extension of our existing synergy with country music and Nashville," said Amber Vanwy, Marketing Manager for Durango. "The auction and display allows us to support this wonderful event while also honoring those who have contributed to the music industry in Nashville, and we're thrilled at the opportunity to be involved."
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, Durango, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.
Nominations were open to the public and were 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.
Music City Walk of Fame Inductees:
Manuel
Manuel is best known for creating celebrity personalities through fashion designs. Manuel created Johnny Cash's famous 'Man in Black' ensemble, Elvis' iconic gold lame suit and the signature 'cowboy' look for all three Hank Williams, among many others. Country greats have worn Manuel's designs for years, including Little Jimmy Dickens and Marty Stuart, who is noted to have more than 3,000 pieces of custom Country Cowboy Couture. Manuel has designed clothing for other noted celebrities, including Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush, Sr., Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, Roy Rogers, the Lone Ranger and Bob Dylan.
Today, his shop Manuel's on Broadway serves as both a custom design studio for western couture garments and also an international tourist destination. His award-winning fashion creations have been seen on display at the Metropolitan, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian, and locally at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Frist Center for the Visual Arts.
Dan Miller
Dan Miller is one of the most revered broadcasters in Nashville's history. In the 1980s, Miller hosted his own Sunday evening program, Miller & Company, a magazine-style show featuring conversational interviews with celebrities and elite figures of the day. The program was the first in Nashville's history to bring musical artist into viewer's dens for in-depth and personal conversations. The program featured celebrated musicians such as Minnie Pearl, Tammy Wynette, Dick Clark, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Oprah Winfrey, Willie Nelson and Gene Autry. Miller & Company was featured on WSMV, Channel 4 in Nashville for seven years, and was resurrected later in Miller's career on TNN (The Nashville Network) for three years.
Miller's broadcast career spanned five decades. He began his career at WSMV, Channel 4 in Nashville, first as a weathercaster then 16 years as the primary news anchor. He left the market to work with a Los Angeles station, then joined the late-night talk show "The Pat Sajak Show." Miller returned to Nashville's WSMV-TV's anchor desk in the mid-90s, where he remained until his untimely death in 2009.
Miller earned numerous awards throughout his broadcasting career, including multiple Emmy Awards. He was voted Best News Anchor in local Nashville publications more than 20 times and recognized as the Most Popular News Anchor in the United States in 1986.
Dr. Bobby Jones
Dr. Bobby Jones a multiple award-winning gospel music singer and national television host, most recognized as the host and executive producer for the national cable program, Bobby Jones Gospel, which is broadcast from Nashville.
Bobby Jones Gospel, the first and only nationally televised black gospel show, first aired on the cable channel BET in 1980, and today remains one of the network's most popular shows. The program features performances from all styles of gospel music and interviews with an array of gospel artists. Jones also created Bobby Jones' World, a magazine-style show that blended gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. He wrote and performed Make A Joyful Noise, a black gospel opera which aired on PBS in 1980, for which he subsequently won the Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award.
Jones and his gospel performance group, New Life, have won Grammy and Dove Awards for their outstanding performances. In 1990, he received the GMA's Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. Jones received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Tennessee State University, and a Doctorate of Education from Vanderbilt University. He currently resides in Nashville.
Dottie Rambo
Dottie Rambo, known throughout the industry as the Queen of Gospel Music, is a world renowned singer, songwriter and musician. Throughout her 60+ year career, Rambo wrote over 2,500 songs, both for herself and for some of the music industry's most notable stars. Her legendary songs have been recorded by music icons such as Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Carol Channing, Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton.
Her own musical career included being a songwriter, soloist and leader of her family trio 'The Singing Rambos,' later known as simply 'The Rambos,', which brought her opportunities to work with Barbara Mandrell and Porter Wagoner among others. Some of her more noted works include "I Go To the Rock," "He Looked Beyond My Fault" and "I Will Glory In The Cross."
She has received multiple Grammy and Dove awards, the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, has been inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Rambo died in a tragic bus wreck in 2008 as she traveled between tour stops.
Les Paul
Les Paul will forever be synonymous with the electric guitar. At an early age, Paul was interested in experimenting with sound-related inventions. He specifically explored creating a stringed instrument that could make electronic sound without distorting. The result was the creation of the Gibson Les Paul guitar, which went on to become one of the most popular of all electric guitar models, serving as a staple instrument for rock 'n' roll's guitar elite. Rock musicians associated with the Gibson Les Paul include Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Mike Bloomfield, Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Page. Paul is also credited with creating many innovative audio techniques including overdubbing, tape delay and multi-track recording, all of which aided in making the rock 'n' roll sound possible.
Paul was also a noted musician, recording two #1 hits with his wife, Mary Ford, in the early 1950s and recording a Grammy-winning album of instrumental duets with Chet Atkins, Chester and Lester in the late 1970s. He won two additional Grammys at the age of 90 for his album American Made/World Played. Up until his death he continued to be one of the primary icons and spokespeople for Nashville-based Gibson Guitar.
Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson is one of today's most prolific and award-winning songwriters. The Georgia native has written or co-written 24 of his 35 #1 songs, including "Remember When", "Where I Come From," "Chattahoochee" and "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)". His songs have also proven hits for other artists including Randy Travis and Clay Walker. Jackson has been named Songwriter/Artist of the Year by NSAI and ASCAP numerous times and was inducted into the elite Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in October.
Jackson is one of the most honored country music singer-songwriters in the last 20 years. He is a Grand Ole Opry member and three-time Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year with a total of 16 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards and two Grammys to his credit. He has released 19 albums, topped the country charts 35 times and has scored more than 50 Top 10 hits while amassing over $60 million in total record sales. Jackson has called Nashville home for more than 25 years.
Kix Brooks
Kix Brooks has been performing and writing songs since the age of 12. In 1990, he teamed with Ronnie Dunn to create Brooks & Dunn, who became the highest-selling duo in the history of country music, selling more than 30 million records and enjoying 23 #1 hits. They have won more than 80 major industry awards, and currently hold the record for the number of awards won at both the ACM and the CMA Awards. Brooks & Dunn retired from performing as a duo in 2010, but Brooks continues to work in the industry, serving as host of American Country Countdown, an internationally-syndicated radio program.
Brooks is also an active civic leader in Nashville. He has served as both President and Chairman of the Country Music Association. He remains an active member of the CMA and has served as a member of the Nashville Music Council, a select group of professionals appointed by Mayor Karl Dean chosen to bring the city of Nashville and the Music Industry closer together. Brooks is also on the board of Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and previously served on the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. He is the local spokesperson for Monroe Harding Children's Home and is a founding partner of Arrington Vineyards in Arrington, TN.
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