Special to the Ledger
Published: April 2, 2008
BIRMINGHAM — Alabama Public Television (APT) announced that it will broadcast The Alabama Music Hall of Fame 2008 Induction and Awards Ceremony statewide on Monday, April 14 from 7 until 10 p.m.
The program, which features the induction ceremonies and 16 performances by music greats, repeats on Saturday, April 19 and Thursday, April 24.
An interview special featuring one-on-one interviews conducted by journalists Wendy Garner and Lori Cummings with select inductees and other celebrities is scheduled for Sunday, April 20 from 8 to 9 p.m.
Alabama’s version of The Grammy Awards, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame was hosted this year by Fort Payne’s Randy Owen of the group ALABAMA.
The festivities feature induction of five Alabama music achievers (including Grand Ole Opry star Ernie Ashworth, Rock & Roll pioneer Boyd Bennett, Jazz bassist Cleveland Eaton, songwriter and performer Donnie Fritts and Styx guitarist and songwriter Tommy Shaw) and presentation of six Contemporary Music Awards (to Chris Tompkins [songwriter award], John Briggs [music industry award], Larry Byrom [music industry award], Angela Hacker and Taylor Hicks [America’s Music Award] and Rick Shayne [media award]). Awards to Bennett and Shayne were made posthumously to their widows.
The ceremony was recorded live Feb. 22 at the Montgomery Convention Center at the Hall of Fame’s black-tie gala and features performances by Kris Kristofferson (in honor of his friend, Donny Fritts) and some of Alabama’s most notable performers. The broadcast’s featured performances include:
Kris Kristofferson: “Me and Bobby McGee”
Percy Sledge: (1993 Inductee) “When a Man Loves a Woman”
Tommy Shaw: “Crystal Ball”
Clarence Carter: (2003 Inductee) “Patches”
Eddie Floyd: (2001 Inductee) “Knock on Wood”
The Commodores: (1995 Inductee) “Brick House”
Randy Owen: (1993 Inductee) “Braid My Hair”
The Thrasher Brothers: (2005 Inductee) “Still The One”
Taylor Hicks: “Soul Thing”
Angela Hacker: “These Walls”
Ernie Ashworth: “Talk Back Trembling Lips”
Cleveland Eaton: “I’m Just A Lucky So and So” (instrumental)
The program also features a special songwriters segment in which songwriters perform one of their hits: Beth Nielson Chapman (“Sand & Water“), Donnie Fritz (“We Had It All“), Walt Aldridge (“I Loved Her First“) and Chris Tompkins (“Before He Cheats“).
“Few states have the wealth of talent possessed by Alabama,” noted Allan Pizzato, executive director of Alabama Public Television. “We are broadcasting this so everyone in this state has the chance to take pride in that accomplishment.”
Production of the video is the result of a partnership among APT, the University of Alabama Center for Public Television and Radio and Erwin Brothers Motion Pictures in Bessemer, Ala.
A two-DVD set featuring all of the music performed during the evening-30 performances in all-is available from APT for a pledge of $90. (http://www.aptv.org)
Dedicated to honoring Alabama’s music achievers, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame is located in Tuscumbia, Ala.
Built in 1990, this 12,500 square foot exhibit hall displays memorabilia from careers of Alabamians such as Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris, the group ALABAMA, The Commodores, Nat King Cole, W.C. Handy, Hank Williams and more — all Alabamians whose achievements span the complete spectrum from sophisticated classical composition to humble gospel songs sung without accompaniment.
From performance to song writing, and from management to publishing, Alabamians have contributed in many ways to make the industry of music what it is today.
http://www.eprisenow.com/ent/news/local/article/apt_sets_air_date_for_music_hall_of_fame_program/10112/
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Subject: APT sets air date for Music Hall of Fame Program 
Wed Apr 02, 2008 8:10 pm
