Musicians Hall of Fame Inducts BMI Legends

The Musicians Hall of Fame inducted another class of the American musical elite on Tuesday, October 28 in Nashville. The overwhelming majority of 2008 inductees are longtime BMI songwriters: Booker T. and the MGs (Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Al Jackson and Donald “Duck” Dunn), The Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love), The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, and Barry Beckett), The Crickets (Jerry Allison (J.I.), Joe B. Mauldin, and Sonny Curtis), Duane Eddy, Al Kooper and Billy Sherrill have all perennially called BMI home. In honor of these artists and their profound accomplishments, BMI sponsored the reception immediately following the ceremony.

Pictured are (l-r): back row: inductees Will McFarlane, Steve Cropper, Spooner Oldham, Clayton Ivey, Pete Carr, Jerry Allison, Duane Eddy, Jimmy Johnson, Sonny Curtis, and Donald “Duck” Dunn; second row: inductees Booker T. Jones, Randy McCormick, David Hood, Wayne Jackson, Andrew Love and Joe B. Maudlin, Musicians Hall of Fame’s Joe Chambers and inductee Roger Hawkins; front row: BMI’s Jody Williams, with inductees Billy Sherrill and Barry Beckett.

BMI Country Songwriter of the 20th Century and 2008 Musicians Hall of Fame inductee Billy Sherrill is one of the most prolific songwriters and producers of all time.

BMI songwriter Percy Sledge brought the audience to its feet with his performance of his career song “When a Man Loves a Woman,” while BMI songwriter Randy Houser delivered a powerful rendition of Charlie Rich’s “Behind Closed Doors,” penned by Billy Sherrill. Pictured are (l-r): Randy Houser, Percy Sledge and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Memphis Horns members Wayne Jackson and Andrew Love smile before entering the gala.

Pictured are (l-r): Muscle Shoals keystone songwriter Dan Penn, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section member David Hood, and Drive By Truckers’ Patterson Hood.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI songwriters Kix Brooks, Duane Eddy and Kid Rock.

George Jones praises Billy Sherrill at the induction ceremony.

BMI songwriter Melinda Doolittle channels Aretha Franklin in two powerful performances.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams, Booker T & the MGs’ Booker T. Jones, Eddie “Knock on Wood” Floyd and Steve Cropper, the NARAS Memphis Chapter’s Berneta Miles, and Booker T & the MGs’ Donald “Duck” Dunn, with BMI’s Clay Bradley.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Thomas Cain, and inductees Booker T. Jones and Spooner Oldham, with BMI’s Clay Bradley.

Longtime BMI songwriter Kid Rock gives a characteristically intense performance.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams, with inductee Jimmy Johnson and his fiancée Becky.

Percy Sledge (left) chats with inductee Donald “Duck” Dunn (right).

Legendary BMI songwriter Duane Eddy performs “Rebel Rouser” at the 2nd Annual Musicians Hall of Fame induction ceremony. 2008 marks the 50thanniversary of Eddy’s “Rebel Rouser.”

Percy Sledge shows the up-and-coming artists how it’s done.

Booker T. Jones grins as he accepts his trophy.

Cultural icon Keith Richards performs with 2008 inductees The Crickets.

Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Jody Williams, 2008 inductee Steve Cropper, Musicians Hall of Fame member Harold Bradley, 2008 inductee David Hood and BMI’s Clay Bradley. (Photos by Erika Goldring)