# Georgia Music Hall of Fame

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame was a hall of fame to recognize music performers and music industry professionals from or connected to the state of Georgia. It began with efforts of the state's lieutenant governor Zell Miller to attract the music industry to Georgia. Following the first Georgia Music Week in 1978, the first Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards were held in 1979, with two inductees. The hall eventually had 163 inductees; the final inductions were made in 2015.
The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Museum was located in downtown Macon, Georgia, United States, from 1996 until it closed in 2011. The Hall of Fame museum preserved and interpreted the state's musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education, and performance; it attempted to foster an appreciation for Georgia music and tried to stimulate economic growth through a variety of dynamic partnerships and initiatives statewide. The museum closed due to low attendance and reduced state funding. Mercer University purchased the former Hall of Fame museum building in June 2012; the university used the building for expanded programs within its School of Medicine.

## History

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame's institutional history began in 1978 when the Georgia General Assembly created the Senate Music Recording Industry Committee to study the state's music industry's economic impact and explore ways to promote Georgia music and attract music businesses to the state. In 1979, the Committee developed a Georgia Music Hall of Fame program honoring Georgia musicians who have made significant contributions to the music industry, with Ray Charles and music publisher Bill Lowery named the first inductees on September 26, 1979.
Owing much to the vision of then Lt. Governor Zell Miller, the Committee also endeavored to create a public museum and archive to document the state's music heritage and serve as a cultural heritage destination. In 1990, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority was created as an instrumentality of the State of Georgia and a public corporation with the stated corporate purpose and general nature: 1) to construct and maintain a facility to house the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; 2) to operate, advertise and promote the Georgia Music Hall of Fame; and 3) to promote music events at the facility and throughout the state. On September 22, 1996, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame opened as a 43,000-square-foot (4,000 m$^2$) facility housing the main exhibit hall, a retail store, the Zell Miller Center for Georgia Music Studies, an administrative wing, a classroom, and a reception room. In 1999, the second phase of the museum, The Billy Watson Music Factory, an interactive and interpretive exhibit space for pre-K through elementary students, opened.
The hall was closed on June 12, 2011, due to lack of attendance, and the collection was donated to the University of Georgia Special Collections Libraries. The exhibits are now housed at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, the University of West Georgia, and in private collections.

## Museum
### Exhibits

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame's permanent exhibit space was designed to resemble a Georgia town where venues such as the Jazz and Swing Club, Vintage Vinyl, and Rhythm & Blues Revue house artifacts, interpretive text, and audio-visual elements. Temporary exhibits included "Keeps Calling Me Home: A Gram Parsons Retrospective", "Let Freedom Sing: Music and the Civil Rights Movement" and '"Otis Redding: I've Got Dreams to Remember", named "Museum Exhibition of the Year" in 2008 by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries.

### Education

Education was at the core of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame museum's mission. The Billy Watson Music Factory served children in grades pre-K through elementary by encouraging the exploration of musical concepts like rhythm, melody, and composition in a hands-on learning environment. MIKE (Music in Kids' Education) provided a series of programs offering live music performances and music instruction opportunities throughout the year.

## Georgia Music magazine

The Georgia Music Hall of Fame Foundation published the quarterly magazine, Georgia Music, from 2005 to 2013 as both the official museum magazine and an in-depth look at Georgia music. The state's legends, landmarks, and unsung heroes were explored through features, historical articles, news, and reviews.

## Inductees

| Year | Artist | Award |
| 2015 | Gregg Allman | Songwriter Award |
| 2015 | John and Jane Barbe | Pioneer Award |
| 2015 | Drivin' N' Cryin' | Group Award |
| 2015 | John Huie | Non-Performer Award |
| 2015 | Sam Moore | Performer Award |
| 2015 | Monica Pearson | Chairman's Award |
| 2015 | Sonny Limbaugh | Posthumous Award |
| 2015 | Philip Walden Jr. | Posthumous Award |
| 2015 | Tim Wilson | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Danny Beard | Non-Performer Award |
| 2014 | Bobby Byrd | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Sean Costello | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Frank Fenter | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Wally Fowler | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Jeff Foxworthy | Spoken Word Award |
| 2014 | Eddie Horst | Posthumous Award |
| 2014 | Lady Antebellum | Performer Award |
| 2014 | Francine Reed | Pioneer Award |
| 2014 | Ed Roland | Songwriter Award |
| 2014 | Wet Willie | Group Award |
| 2013 | Pat Alger | Songwriter Award |
| 2013 | The Forester Sisters | Pioneer Award |
| 2013 | Goodie Mob | Performer Award |
| 2013 | CeeLo Green | Performer Award |
| 2013 | Kansas | Group Award |
| 2013 | James "Alley Pat" Patrick | Non-Performer Award |
| 2013 | Whitney Houston | Posthumous Award |
| 2013 | von Grey | Horizon Award |
| 2012 | Riley Biederer | Horizon Award |
| 2012 | Skinny Bobby Harper | Posthumous Award |
| 2012 | Alex Hodges | Non-Performer Award |
| 2012 | Johnny Jenkins | Posthumous Award |
| 2012 | Gary Rossington | Songwriter Award |
| 2012 | Robert Spano | Chairman's Award |
| 2012 | Sugarland (Jennifer Nettles and Kristen Bush) | Performer Award |
| 2012 | 38 Special | Group Award |
| 2012 | Bob Van Camp | Posthumous Award |
| 2011 | Judy Argo | Posthumous Award |
| 2011 | Toni Braxton | Performer Award |
| 2011 | Paul Cochran | Pioneer Award |
| 2011 | Hall Johnson | Posthumous Award |
| 2011 | Kenny Leon | Non-Performer Award |
| 2011 | Mother's Finest | Group Award |
| 2011 | Jan "Mama Jan" Smith | Chairman's Award |
| 2011 | Sonny Terry | Posthumous Award |
| 2010 | India.Arie | |
| 2010 | The Black Crowes | Group Award |
| 2010 | Rev. Pearly Brown | Posthumous Award |
| 2010 | Charlie Brusco | Non-Performer Award |
| 2010 | Paul Davis | Posthumous Award |
| 2010 | Pete Drake | Posthumous Award |
| 2010 | John Jared | Posthumous Award |
| 2010 | Jennifer Larmore | |
| 2010 | Charles Wadsworth | |
| 2009 | Chris "Ludacris" Bridges | |
| 2009 | Dinah & Fred Gretsch (Gretsch Guitars) | Posthumous Award |
| 2009 | Dottie Rambo | |
| 2009 | Hamp Swain | |
| 2009 | Keith Sweat | |
| 2009 | Widespread Panic | Group Award |
| 2008 | Johnny L. Carson | |
| 2008 | Collective Soul | |
| 2008 | Peter Conlon | |
| 2008 | Bryan-Michael Cox | |
| 2008 | Roy Hamilton | |
| 2008 | Berry Oakley | |
| 2008 | Shakir Stewart | |
| 2008 | Third Day | |
| 2007 | Bobbie Bailey | |
| 2007 | Freddy Cole | |
| 2007 | Mylon LeFevre | |
| 2007 | Lynyrd Skynyrd | |
| 2007 | Babs Richardson | |
| 2007 | Usher | |
| 2006 | Gregg Allman | Performer Award |
| 2006 | Dallas Austin | Non-Performer Award |
| 2006 | Felice Bryant | Posthumous Award |
| 2006 | Jermaine Dupri | Songwriter Award |
| 2006 | R.E.M. | Group Award |
| 2005 | Doug Johnson | |
| 2005 | Patty Loveless | |
| 2005 | NewSong | |
| 2005 | The Sunshine Boys | Mary Tallent "Pioneer" Award |
| 2004 | Mattiwilda Dobbs | Mary Tallent Award |
| 2004 | Hugh Jarrett | Non-Performer Award |
| 2004 | Chuck Leavell | Performer Award |
| 2004 | Mary Lou Williams | Posthumous Award |
| 2003 | Mike Curb | Non-Performer Award |
| 2003 | Indigo Girls | Group Award |
| 2003 | Kenny Rogers | Performer Award |
| 2003 | Alan Walden | Mary Tallent Award |
| 2002 | Clarence Carter | Performer Award |
| 2002 | The Harmoneers | Mary Tallent Award |
| 2002 | TLC | Group Award |
| 2002 | Tom Wright | Non-Performer Award |
| 2001 | Roy Drusky | Mary Tallent Award |
| 2001 | Alan Jackson | Performer Award |
| 2001 | Ralph Peer | Posthumous Award |
| 2001 | L.A. Reid | Non-Performer Award |
| 2000 | The B-52's | Group Award |
| 2000 | Little Jimmy Dempsey | Posthumous Award |
| 2000 | Michael Greene | Non-Performer Award |
| 2000 | Trisha Yearwood | Performer Award |
| 1999 | Mike Clarke | Non-Performer Award |
| 1999 | Jessye Norman | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1999 | Gram Parsons | Posthumous Award |
| 1999 | Travis Tritt | Performer Award |
| 1998 | Allman Brothers Band | Group Award |
| 1998 | Peabo Bryson | Performer Award |
| 1998 | J. Lee Friedman | Non-Performer Award |
| 1998 | Emma Kelly | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1997 | Atlanta Symphony Orchestra | Group Award |
| 1997 | William Bell | Performer Award |
| 1997 | Dave Prater | Mary Tallent |
| 1997 | Boots Woodall | Posthumous Award |
| 1996 | Atlanta Rhythm Section | Group Award |
| 1996 | Mac Davis | Performer Award |
| 1996 | Joe Galkin | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1996 | Rodney Mills | Non-Performer Award |
| 1995 | Chet Atkins | Performer Award |
| 1995 | Ray Eberle | Posthumous Award |
| 1995 | Elmo Ellis | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1995 | Joel Katz | Non-Performer Award |
| 1994 | Isaac Hayes | Performer Award |
| 1994 | Gwen Kesler | Non-Performer Award |
| 1994 | Chuck Willis | Posthumous Award |
| 1993 | J. R. Cobb | Non-Performer Award |
| 1993 | Curtis Mayfield | Performer Award |
| 1993 | Sam Wallace | Posthumous Award |
| 1993 | Dennis Yost & the Classics IV | Group Award |
| 1992 | Emory Gordy Jr. | Non-Performer Award |
| 1992 | Connie Haines | Performer Award |
| 1992 | The Lewis Family | Group Award |
| 1992 | Ma Rainey | Posthumous Award |
| 1992 | The Tams | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1991 | Joseph "Cotton" Carrier | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1991 | Roland Hayes | Posthumous Award |
| 1991 | Lena Horne | Performer Award |
| 1991 | Ray Whitley | Non-Performer Award |
| 1990 | Wendy Bagwell | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1990 | Blind Willie McTell | Posthumous Award |
| 1990 | Ronnie Milsap | Performer Award |
| 1990 | Chips Moman | Non-Performer Award |
| 1989 | Lee Roy Abernathy | Mary Tallent Award |
| | Fletcher Henderson | Posthumous Award |
| | Gladys Knight | Performer Award |
| | Harold Shedd | Non-Performer Award |
| 1988 | Gid Tanner & the Skillet Lickers | Posthumous Award |
| | Billy Joe Royal | Performer Award |
| | Robert Shaw | Non-Performer Award |
| | Joe Williams | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1987 | Alex Cooley | Non-Performer Award |
| | Felton Jarvis | Posthumous Award |
| | Jerry Reed | Performer Award |
| | Bob Richardson | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1986 | Hovie Lister | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1986 | George Riley Puckett | Posthumous Award |
| 1986 | Tommy Roe | Performer Award |
| 1986 | Phil Walden | Non-Performer Award |
| 1985 | Bill Anderson | Performer Award |
| 1985 | Graham Jackson | Posthumous Award |
| 1985 | Eva Mae LeFevre | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1985 | Zell Miller | Non-Performer Award |
| 1984 | Buddy Buie | Non-Performer Award |
| 1984 | Fiddlin' John Carson | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1984 | James Melton | Posthumous Award |
| 1984 | Little Richard Penniman | Performer Award |
| 1983 | James Brown | Performer Award |
| 1983 | Albert Coleman | Non-Performer Award |
| 1983 | Harry James | Posthumous Award |
| 1983 | Piano Red Perryman | Mary Tallent Award |
| 1982 | Duane Allman | Posthumous Award |
| 1982 | Boudleaux Bryant | Non-Performer Award |
| 1982 | Brenda Lee | Performer Award |
| 1981 | Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey | Non-Performer Award |
| 1981 | Otis Redding | Posthumous Award |
| 1981 | Joe South | Performer Award |
| 1980 | Johnny Mercer | Posthumous Award |
| 1980 | Zenas "Daddy" Sears | Non-Performer Award |
| 1980 | Ray Stevens | Performer Award |
| 1979 | Ray Charles | Performer Award |
| 1979 | Bill Lowery | Non-Performer Award |