Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame
2008 Inductees
Doc Watson
Inducted 2008
Doc Watson born Arthel L. Watson in Deep Gap, NC is a legendary performer who blends his traditional Appalachian musical roots with bluegrass, country, gospel and blues to create a unique style and expansive repertoire. He is a powerful singer and tremendously influential picker who virtually invented the art of playing mountain fiddle tunes on the flattop guitar.
Earl Scruggs
Inducted 2008
Earl Eugene Scruggs, born in Shelby North Carolina, is a legendary musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger banjo style that has become a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. The creative contribution and musical integrity he has made with his unique Scruggs-Style banjo has carved him a place in history.
The Carter Family
Inducted 2008
The original Carter Family, consisting of A. P. Carter, Sara Doughtery, and A. P.’s sister-in-law, Mother Maybelle Addington Carter from Virginia, was one of the most influential groups in mountain music, switching emphasis from hillbilly instrumentals to vocals. They made their songs part of the standard country music repertoire and developed a particular guitar style that is used as a building block, taken to a higher technical level by musicians even today.
Tommy Jarrell
Inducted 2008
Master Musician & Tradition Bearer
Thomas Jefferson Jarrell was born in Surry County, North Carolina. He is considered one of the most influential fiddle players of his time, sharing his talents and teaching style with interested musicians. Jarrell's style was notable for its expressiveness and he was adept at singing while playing. His formidable technique and voice continue to influence modern enthusiasts of the Appalachian old-time music through recordings today.
Dolly Parton
Inducted 2008
Songwriter
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee. She is known world-wide as a country music singer, songwriter, author, actress and philanthropist. Her songwriting is of such high quality and impact that it upholds the gold standard set by the legendary Johnny Mercer Award. Always dreaming and always looking forward, Dolly continues to flourish, remaining a superstar.
David Johnson
Inducted 2008
David Johnson was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He began his career playing banjo with his father and grandfather in Purlear, North Carolina. David’s talent for playing numerous instruments makes him one of the busiest session artists in North Carolina and allows him to travel nationwide. David Johnson is considered by all to be a gifted artist and local treasure.
Ralph Rinzler
Inducted 2008
Ralph Rinzler grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. He was a performer, festival administrator, scholar, writer and tireless advocate for grass roots music. Through his work at the Newport Folk Foundation and at the Smithsonian he spent many hours preserving, documenting, and presenting traditional arts. The Smithsonian named its Folkway Collection, The Ralph Rinzler Folk Life Archives and Collection. Each year a memorial concert is held in his honor at the Festival of American Folk Life performed on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Ralph Epperson
Inducted 2008
Ralph Epperson was born in Ararat, Virginia. He translated his love of mountain music into a focal point for community life: a radio station. WPAQ was his brainchild and later he acquired WBRF. Paul Brown said it best, “Where Ralph was concerned, the more layers one pulled back, the more one would find. He was a … radio engineer, a deep thinker, an explainer, and an enthusiast.” He tirelessly encouraged musicians young and old.
Wayne Henderson
Inducted 2008
Wayne Henderson was born in Rugby, Virginia. He is well known for his handmade, legendary acoustic guitars, his fine musicianship, and musical festival named in his honor to support musical scholarships for local youths. Renowned guitarist, Eric Clapton waited for ten years for a Henderson Guitar. His guitar inspired a book by Allen St. John entitled “Clapton’s Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument”. Today, Henderson Guitars are in high demand and respected for their volume, tone and resonance.
Sam Love Queen Sr.
Inducted 2008
Sam Love Queen Sr. was born in Haywood County, North Carolina. The Soco Dance Team, organized and led by Sam Love Queen, Sr. changed the style of square dancing and became the winner of more competitions than any other. Queen is also credited with taking Buck Dancing to a new level, helping to start what we call “clogging” today. Albert Burnett describes square dancing as “body language and body expression”. Without doubt, Sam Love Queen, Sr. was a great communicator and known as the “Square Dance King”.