What you need to know about the NC Music Hall of Fame’s Induction Ceremony
You don’t have to go all the way to Hollywood for a night of glitz, glamour, a red carpet, and musical tributes. You can to Kannapolis for the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame’s 2016 Induction Ceremony on Oct. 20. The list of this year’s inductees include Kellie Pickler, The Avett Brothers, Ron Tyson of The Temptations (Yes, those Temptations), Band of Oz, Chuck Brown, The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Percy Heath and David Holt.
CharlotteFive caught up with Eddie Ray, who isn’t just the Hall of Fame’s director of operations; he is also a 2009 inductee that was the first African-American music executive at a major record label:
How does the NC Music Hall of Fame decide on whom to induct each year?
We have a nominating committee comprised of five people. I am the chair of the committee because of my position as director of operations. People call us throughout the year recommending names as far back as four generations ago, from all genres of music. Right now we have a list of 150 names, but what I do is I submit a list of 50 to 75 names to the committee to vote on. We limit the number of inductees to seven or eight per year. If possible we like to have a representation of each genre of music.
What are the criteria that has to be met in order for someone to be considered as an inductee?
The candidate must have had significant success nationally or internationally as a performing or non-performing artist. For example, for non-performing it could be in music education, casting, producing and songwriting. Of course for performing, it would be a singer or musician. Candidates have to either have been born in North Carolina or spent a significant amount of time in the state during their career.
How did it feel when you were inducted in 2009 for your contributions to the music industry?
Since I was inducted as a non-performing artist, there were several people who had never heard of me even though I was born in North Carolina. As they knew more about my background, then they came around (laughs). It was an honor to be inducted.
In previous years, the induction ceremony has been held at the Gem Theatre in Kannapolis, but this year it’s been moved to the Kannapolis Performing Arts Center. What prompted the move?
The Gem Theatre holds 900 people and the KPAC holds about 1,900 or so. We needed the capacity. We also moved the VIP reception to the new city hall. We’re giving more people the opportunity to enjoy the show.
Is there anything else new about this year’s induction ceremony?
Yes, this year for the first time it’s going to be taped. The first week in November it will be telecast by UNC-TV.
N.C. Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
When: Oct. 20, with a VIP Cocktail Meet-and-Greet at 5 p.m. and the main event at 7:15 p.m.
Where: The cocktail reception is at Kannapolis City Hall, 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis. The ceremony is at Kannapolis Performing Arts Center, 162 W. B. St., Kannapolis.
The rest: If you want to check out the list of inductees and grab tickets for the N.C. Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony check out their website.
Photos: Jeff Willhelm/Charlotte Observer, NC Music Hall of Fame
This story was originally published October 17, 2016 at 10:03 PM with the headline "What you need to know about the NC Music Hall of Fame’s Induction Ceremony."