We visit the Wilkes Heritage Museum
Wilkes Heritage Museum – Photo: LTTL
Wilkes Heritage Museum
Blue Ridge Music Hall Of Fame
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 13 September 2023
GrassRoots Music Tour 2023
By Rob Dickens
The Wilkes Heritage Museum, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1968. It is responsible for operating and maintaining the Museum (former Wilkes County Courthouse – 1902) incorporating the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame (see below). The Museum has also restored the Old Wilkes County Jail (1859) and the 1779 home of Captain Robert Cleveland, which are now operated as educational centres for the community.
Since its official opening in November 2005, the Wilkes Heritage Museum has vibrantly contributed to the education and culture of the county through a collection of artifacts and images, stories of early settlement, military history, industry, medicine, communication and education. It is located in beautiful downtown historic Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The town is also the location of MerleFest (named after Doc Watson‘s son Merle) which is considered one of the premier “traditional plus” music festivals in the country, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College.
Photos: LTTL
For any visitor, a trip to the Wilkes Heritage Museum will give you a unique insight into the music and culture of the region. The experiences of going through the Museum, the Hall of Fame and Candlelight Ghost Tours are invaluable. Special thanks to Director, Jennifer Furr and volunteer Nancy Watson for giving up so much of their time and providing such an absorbing first-hand experience
We visit the Wilkes Heritage Museum
Blue Ridge Music Hall Of Fame
The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame exists to showcase and preserve the rich musical heritage of the greater Blue Ridge Mountains area from northern Georgia to northern Virginia. The Hall of Fame educates, defines and interprets the history of music in the area and musicians in all genres from the region with exhibits and an annual celebration of inductees.
The Museum has a room dedicated to musical instruments with panels telling the story of music in the Blue Ridge area and interactive displays. The inductees are featured in the main auditorium with displays.
Photos: LTTL
Candidates for election to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame shall meet at least one of the following criteria:
Those who achieved acclaim as songwriters, master musicians, national or regional performers in any form of musical heritage who were either born near or who were substantially active in the Blue Ridge Mountain region. This includes luthiers, organizers and promoters, backing musicians, media personnel, dancers and callers, broadcasters, recording engineers and record company operators.
In addition, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame committee may, by unanimous vote, select Honorary Inductees based on the level of commitment and support certain individuals have given to creating and implementing the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.
Inductees
2008
Doc Watson, nationally known artist
Earl Scruggs, nationally known artist
David Johnson, sideman and regional musician
The Carter Family, pioneer artist
Tommy Jarrell, master musician and tradition bearer
Dolly Parton, songwriter
Ralph Rinzler, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Ralph Epperson, media and scholar
Wayne Henderson, luthier
Sam Love Queen, Sr, traditional dance
Art Menius, honorary inductee
2009
Ralph and Carter Stanley, nationally known artist
Ola Belle Reed, pioneer artist
Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith, songwriter
Mike Seeger, recording industry
Eric Ellis, sideman and regional musician
The Primitive Quartet, gospel music
Mike Cross, honorary inductee
Nancy Watson, honorary inductee
2010
Don Reno, nationally known artist
Clarence “Tom” Ashley, pioneer artist
Bobby Hicks, sideman and regional musician
Albert Hash, luthier
“B” Townes IV, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Etta Baker, master musician and tradition bearer
2011
Emmylou Harris, nationally known artist
Willard Watson, traditional dance
Jens Kruger, regional musician
Jim Lauderdale, songwriter
Jim Shumate, pioneer artist
2012
George Hamilton IV, nationally known artist
Charlie Poole, pioneer artist
Dewitt “Snuffy” Jenkins, sideman and regional musician
David Holt, recording industry
The Chuck Wagon Band, gospel music
Cindy Baucom, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Robert “Tut” Taylor, master musician and tradition bearer
William “Oliver” Swofford, honorary inductee
Dr T. R. Bryan, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award*
2013
Andy Griffin, nationally known artist
Pete Kuykendall, media and scholar
Kyle Creed, luthier
Lester Flatt, songwriter
Norman Blake, sideman and regional musician
The Stoneman Family, pioneer artist
Jimmy Church, honorary inductee
2014
Roy Acuff, nationally known artist
Green Grass Cloggers, traditional dance
Doc Walsh and the Carolina Tar Heels, master musician and tradition bearer
The Wayne C. Henderson Festival, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Jeff Little, sideman and regional musician
Uncle Dave Macon, pioneer artist
Ward Eller, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2015
Ronnie Milsap, nationally known artist
Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman, pioneer artist
Terry Baucom, sideman and regional musician
The Lewis Family, gospel music
Si Kahn, songwriter
Bobby Patterson, recording industry
Keith Watts, honorary inductee
Tony Rice, nationally known artist
2016
Bascom Lamar Lunsford, pioneer artist
Bryan Sutton, sideman and regional musician
Ralph Blizzard, master musician and tradition bearer
Herb Key, luthier
Alan Lomax, media scholar
Alice Gerrard, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Billy Gee, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2017
Mac Wiseman, nationally known artist
The Skillet Lickers, pioneer artist
Laura Boosinger, sideman and regional musician
Don Gibson, songwriter
Phil Jamison, traditional dance
Larry Skipper, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2018
Jimmie Rodgers, nationally known artist
J. E. Mainer, pioneer artist
George Shuffler, sideman and regional musician
Hazel Dickens, master musician and tradition bearer
Galax Old Fiddlers Convention, special contributor, promoter and organizer
The Easter Brothers, gospel music
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, recording industry
Bill Williams, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2019
Patsy Cline, nationally known artist
Kenny Baker, sideman and regional musician
Fiddlin’ John Carson, pioneer artist
Bluegrass Unlimited, media and scholar
Bill Clifton, songwriter
Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers’ Convention, special contributor, promoter and organizer
Mike Palmer, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2020/21
Chet Atkins, nationally known artist
Samantha Bumgarner, master musician and tradition bearer
Grayson and Whitter, pioneer artist
T. Michael Coleman, sideman and regional musician
Bob Kogut, luthier
Linda Cabe, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
County Records, recording industry
2022
Jim & Jesse, nationally known artist
The Blue Sky Boys, pioneer artist
Arvil Freeman, sideman & regional musician
Randall Hylton, songwriter
Rodney Sutton, dance
MerleFest, special contributor, promoter & organiser
Ernest Johnson, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
2023
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, nationally known artist
Willard Gayheart, sideman & regional musician
The Cockman Family, gospel
Benton Flippen, pioneer artist
L. W. Lambert, master musician & tradition bearer
Sugar Hill Records/Barry Poss, recording industry
Donnie Story, Dr T R Bryan wilkes heritage music award
The sixteenth annual Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame induction will be held March 23, 2024
*Dr T R Bryan was one of the charter members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Trustees, who created and supported many music programs in conjunction with various local groups. In his memory, the Hall of Fame Trustees partnered with the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society to create an award. The annual award is given to a person who has contributed to music on the local level in Wilkes County.
We visit the Wilkes Heritage Museum
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We visit the Wilkes Heritage Museum
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