ARTISTS TO BE INDUCTED WV MUSIC HALL OF FAME

(08/06/2008)
Michael Lipton's West Virginia Music Hall of Fame will induct nine new members in November.

Lipton says they are all true legends, each with a fascinating musical history.

"They cover virtually just about every genre of music and most of them are not big mega star names. That's kind of indicative of the way West Virginia works," Lipton said.

The inductees are Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Phyllis Curtin, Robert Drasnin, the Lilly Brothers & Don Stover, Charlie McCoy, Ann Baker, Maceo Pinkard, Red Sovine and Frankie Yankovic.

"Charlie McCoy has played with virtually every great country artist, played on six Bob Dylan records, and Elvis Presley records," Lipton said.

"Phyllis Curtin is a world-renown opera star. She performed at the Met for years and has taught all over the world."

Four of this year's inductees are deceased: Baker, Pinkard, Sovine and Yankovic, but the other five have agreed to be at the induction ceremony.

Lipton said the induction ceremony will be the hottest ticket in town.

The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame inducted its first members last year, including songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler, country singer and entertainer Little Jimmy Dickens and songwriter Bill Withers.