It was a celebratory night paying tribute to Memphis music, culture, and history as the Memphis Music Hall of Fame held its annual induction ceremony on Sat., Sept. 27, hosted by Pat Mitchell Worley and Marcus Cox.
A total of nine inductees were chosen, as the Hall of Fame hit a landmark of 100 inductees at the ceremony. All previous inductees were honored at the beginning of the ceremony in a video package that paid tribute to Memphis music legends such as Elvis Presley, Al Green, B.B. King, and more.
2024’s first inductee celebrated was R&B and soul singer, the late James Carr, whose family spoke and accepted the award on his behalf. Carr’s family spoke about the big impact Carr had made on legendary Memphis artists he had worked with.
“I remember some bald-headed man used to put me on his lap, and I didn’t know who he was,” said Jerome Carr, son of James Carr. “As I got older, I found out that man was Isaac Hayes.”
The Memphis Music Hall of Fame house band was then accompanied by Vincent Carr and Doozy Carr, James Carr’s son and grandson, respectively, for some of the legend’s greatest hits, including “Freedom Train” and “The Dark End of the Street.”
Next was Kallen Esperian, a lyric soprano who performed in major opera productions around the world, including performances with the late Luciano Pavarotti.
Esperian delivered a very short speech, followed by an amazing operatic performance that captured the hearts of the audience.
Following Esperian’s performance was a video package showing Priscilla Presley congratulating the night’s next inductee Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises. Soden was introduced by country music artist Andy Childs, who reflected on Soden’s close relationship with the Presley family.
“The Presleys have never had a better friend and family member than Jack Soden,” said Childs.
Next was Jazze Pha, a record producer who helped produce hits for artists such as Ciara, Ludacris, Mary J. Blige, and many others. A video package was shown with many artists including 2 Chainz, Ciara, and Snoop Dogg congratulating Pha on his induction.
“If serving is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you,” said Pha during his speech. “You can never lower your perspective, or you’ll miss the whole vision.”
The speech was followed by some of Jazze Pha’s greatest hits he helped create, including “One, Two Step” by Ciara and “Pimpin’ Don’t Fail Me Now” by Memphis legends 8Ball & MJG.
The next inductee was Kevin Kane, President and CEO of Memphis Tourism, who reflected on the city’s culture and legacy.
“Our city is so blessed,” said Kane. “For the Memphians in the audience, we spend so much time talking about what’s wrong with Memphis. In our city, we measure it on the number one hits and the individuals that created them.”
Legendary artist Neil Young introduced the next inductee Spooner Oldham, an organist and songwriter who gained fame recording as part of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. Oldham paid tribute to his family, who was with him at the ceremony.
Next was Rhodes Chalmers Rhodes, the first backup singers to ever be inducted for Memphis’ ceremony. The group performed Al Green’s legendary song, “Let’s Stay Together,” for which they were backing singers.
The Gentrys, celebrated for their rock songs in the 1960s and 1970s, were the next inductees.
Finally, the last inductee of the night was the late Wilson Pickett, a legendary soul artist who recorded his hits at Stax in Memphis. Pickett’s greatest hits closed out the night, as the house band performed “In the Midnight Hour,” “634-5789 (Soulsville, USA),” and “Mustang Sally.”
