Gospel Music Hall of Fame to Open Doors to 5 New Inductees

By Kevin P. Donovan, Christian Post Reporter Sunday, February 01, 2009

Michael W. Smith, Dolly Parton, Dr. Bobby Jones, The Dixie Hummingbirds and Lair Goss will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame on Monday, joining music legends including Elvis Presley, Amy Grant, Andrae Crouch, and Sandi Patty.

Established in 1971, the Gospel Music Association's Gospel Music Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the past and present economic, cultural, social and spiritual contributions that Christian and gospel music have made not only to Music City, but to the world.

"This year's class of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees have all achieved great professional and personal success in many different areas of the music and entertainment industries," stated John W. Styll, president and CEO of the Gospel Music Association Foundation (GMAF), "but each shares a common heritage of the Gospel's powerful impact on their lives."

This year's induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Monday at The Richland Country Club in Nashville, starting with a medallion ceremony and reception at 6:30 p.m. The induction ceremony and dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m.