Alabama Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to Air on Public Television

Highlights from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, taped in February,  will be broadcast on Alabama Public Television on Thursday, May 26 at 8 pm.

The awards show was taped at the Marriott Shoals Conference Center in Florence and hosted by state finance director Bill Newton. Grammy Award-winning artist and Muscle Shoals native Gary Nichols served as emcee for the evening that included a fundraising banquet and several featured performances.

With support from the business community and private donations, the event raised a record $94,000 to benefit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

The 2016 class of inductees included keyboardist Chuck Leavell, former Grateful Dead vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, record producer Johnny Sandlin, Southern rockers Wet Willie and the Muscle Shoals Horns.

Leavell, who was on tour with the Rolling Stones, could not attend.  But as a special treat the ceremony included a video congratulations from Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood and Charlie Watts.

Performances by several of the inductees will also be a part of the Alabama Public Television broadcast. Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay, The Muscle Shoals Horns, and Wet Willie all take the stage, along with Scott Boyer and Tommy Talton of Cowboy.

Percy Sledge, Sonny James and Billy Sherrill, three hall of fame inductees who passed away in the past year were also remembered.