Seven Artists Inducted into NC Music Hall of Fame 2018

Story and Photos by Samir Shukla

North Carolina has a vibrant contemporary music scene and its musical heritage is rich. Every year, the NC Music Hall of Fame inducts several NC-based or affiliated musicians into the Hall located in Kannapolis. This year’s 10th annual Induction Ceremony inducted seven artists at a ceremony on October 18, 2018, which took place at the historic GEM Theater in Downtown Kannapolis.

The seven 2018 inductees are John Tesh, Calvin Richardson, Dolph Ramseur, Luther Barnes, The Hoppers, Chris Daughtry, and Blind Boy Fuller.

The evening began with a red-carpet walk at a pre-ceremony VIP reception, followed by the induction which featured the history of the artists, speeches and live performances. Later the crowd moved to an after party at the Hall of Fame Museum. There were performances by Calvin Richardson (who sang accompanied by pre-recorded music), John Tesh (on piano and accompanied by a saxophonist), Luther Barnes (full band and back-up singers), The Hoppers (full band) and David Childers (who performed for Record label owner Dolph Ramseur) sang solo with an acoustic guitar. Rocker Chris Daughtry did not perform as he was on tour and sent in a video message of thanks. A video was shown of the late Blind Boy Fuller’s music.

John Tesh is a pianist, composer, singer, and broadcaster who studied at North Carolina State University. He wrote the NBC TV’s NBA theme “Roundball Rock.” He was a co-anchor for the show Entertainment Tonight. He has won six music Emmys, two Grammy nominations, three gold records, had seven public television specials and has sold over eight million records.

Chris Daughtry, who hails from Roanoke Rapids, NC, was a semifinalist on the fifth season of American Idol. He is a Grammy-nominated singer, musician, songwriter, and actor.

Dolphus Ramseur, born and raised in Concord, NC, is the founder of Ramseur Records, an independent Record label in North Carolina. He has been responsible for the development of many successful recording artists, including Bombadil, David Childers, The Ruen Brothers and Steep Canyon Rangers. His most known artists are the Avett Brothers.

Luther Barnes, of Rocky Mount, NC, is a Stellar Award winning and Grammy-nominated gospel music singer, songwriter and producer. He is the lead singer for “Luther Barnes and the Red Budd Gospel Choir.” He is also currently the lead pastor of the Restoration Worship Center in Rocky Mount.

Calvin Richardson, born in Monroe, NC, has multiple Grammy nominations under his belt and is a singer, songwriter, and producer.

The Hoppers are GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and hail from Madison, NC. The Hoppers have been singing to audiences around the world for over 60 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to their own tours.

Blues singer and guitarist Blind Boy Fuller was born in Wadesboro, NC and is famed for his finger-picking during his work in the 1930’s.

For more details about the induction ceremony or the Hall of Fame, visit, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org.