Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
The Gospel Music Association Foundation announced on Monday that it will induct the late, great Johnny Cash into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
Although Cash is largely remembered as a country music artist, his songs and sound touched on other genres including rock and roll, as well as blues, folk, and gospel.
He originally wanted to be named a gospel artist but was turned down by Sam Phillips at Sun Records in 1954.
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The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, established in 1971, has inducted more than 150 members since its inception. Previous inductees include Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson and Amy Grant.
This year, along with Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, one of the first popular Christian rock groups formed in 1978, is being inducted as well. They were the first Christian music group to have a video on MTV.
"The impact this group of individuals has made on gospel music is immeasurable. It's an honor to recognize these inductees for their contributions." said Ed Harper, chairman of the GMA Foundation.
Other inductees include Golden Gate Quartet (aka The Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet) one of the most famous African-American gospel music groups who sang in the jubilee quartet style, and Bill "Hoss" Allen, a radio disc jockey who attained fame from the 1950s through the 1990s for playing rhythm and blues and black gospel music.
"I'm very excited about this year's slate of inductees," said Tom Long, chairman of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Committee. "All come from different cultures and backgrounds but have helped elevate gospel music to a much higher plateau throughout our universe which is in need of good news more than ever."
The GMA Foundation will induct the honorees into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Jan. 24, 2011. A full list of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductees is available at www.gmahalloffame.org.
