Steve Wariner, Felix Cavaliere
The Musicians Hall of Fame has announced the names of the artists who will be inducted into its prestigious group this year — the first cohort of inductees since 2016. The organization’s associated museum (which opened in 2006 on Sixth Avenue South, and has been under the same roof as Municipal Auditorium on Fourth Avenue North since 2013) has a special focus on honoring studio musicians who don’t tend to get the same kind of attention as marquee artists. The Hall of Fame, however, recognizes stars in addition to less-well-known players, and this year’s crop is a broad mix.
The inductees are a group of 11 musical acts across several genres. At the top of the list is keyboardist and singer Felix Cavaliere. In the 1960s, he was a member of The Rascals, who landed nine singles (including “Good Lovin’ ”) in the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He has also played alongside Billy Joel and Ringo Starr, among others. Preceding his MHOF induction, country artist and songwriter Steve Wariner released some 20 studio albums and won four Grammys. That’s in addition to much acclaim for his guitar work, including from the late, great Chet Atkins who recognized Wariner as one of four Certified Guitar Players. (A fifth was designated by Atkins’ family after his death.)
There are also three groups of revered session players who you might find represented in the museum. There’s the Original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section — including David Briggs, Terry Thompson, Norbert Putnam, Jerry Carrigan and Reggie Young (who both died this year) as well as Earl “Peanutt” Montgomery and Joe South — who helped make their Alabama town a hub for musicians. Their brass-playing counterparts in the Muscle Shoals Horn Section (Aaron Brown, Harrison Calloway, Ronnie Eades, Charlie Rose and Harvey Thompson) served as a vital complement to developing the blend of R&B, rock, soul and country music and appeared on hundreds of records that defined the sound of music in that city. A contemporary complement to Nashville’s A-Team of the ’60s (a well-decorated crew including Eddie Bayers, Paul Franklin, John Hobbs, Brent Mason, Michael Rhodes) will also be honored.
Several MHOF inductees will also receive specific awards. In their 50th anniversary year, country and Southern rockers Alabama will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The Surfaris will receive the MHOF’s first-ever Instrumental Song Award for “Wipe Out,” their 1963 hit that’s one of the founding texts of surf music. As The Everly Brothers, Don Everly and his late brother Phil had an immense impact on artists like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Paul Simon (the latter of whom Don Everly sang with in Nashville last year). The surviving Everly will receive the MHOF’s Iconic Riff Award for “Wake Up, Little Susie.”
And there are several behind-the-scenes figures who will be recognized. Owen Bradley will be posthumously recognized as this year’s Musicians Hall of Fame Producer for his work that in many ways shaped the legacy of Music Row. Engineer Billy Sherrill, whose work includes live sound mixing on the Grand Ole Opry and who won a Grammy in 2000 for his work on the Dixie Chicks' Fly, will also be honored.* Bob Taylor, co-founder of Taylor Guitars, will be receiving the Industry Icon Award, in recognition of his innovative instruments as well as his conservation efforts.
A concert will be held Oct. 22 at the Schermerhorn to honor this year’s inductees. The artists on the bill have not yet been announced, but tickets will go on sale Aug. 5.
* Correction: A previous version of this article referred incorrectly to the producer Billy Sherrill, who died in 2015.
