http://www.tennessean.com/article/20081109/TUNEIN/81109015/1005/ENTERTAI...

Little Richard among inductees who witness unveiling of their Walk of Fame stars
By Dave Paulson • Staff Writer • November 9, 2008
Fans lined barricades at Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville this afternoon,
waiting to catch a glimpse of the music stars — and one rock and roll legend — receiving
stars on the Music City Walk of Fame.
Country stars Trace Adkins, Martina McBride and Randy Travis, rock n’ roll architects
Little Richard and Elvis Presley, celebrated soul performer Michael McDonald and
the first Country Music Association executive director, Jo Walker-Meador, made up
the Walk’s fifth class of inductees. All of them (save Elvis, who was represented
by Imperials band member Joe Moscheo) came out in the 40-degree weather to see the
unveiling of their sidewalk stars.
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“It’s just a huge honor,” Adkins said before the ceremony. “I feel quite frankly
out of place here, being honored on the same day as Elvis Presley, Little Richard,
Randy Travis and Martina McBride, Michael McDonald…I mean, these are people that
I’ve been in awe of, and now I find myself in their company. It’s humbling, but I’m
proud at the same time.
“I’m the one that when people look at this photograph years from now will go, ‘OK,
who doesn’t belong in this picture?’”
A decidedly un-country singer like McDonald, on the other hand, saw his place in
the “Music City” tradition.
“Nashville has a certain special allure to songwriters. Some of the greatest songwriters
in pop music — not taking anything away from Memphis, New York, L.A. and Detroit
— for a town half the size of all those places, certainly holds its own in terms
of having that strength and incredible love for songwriters and good songs. Some
of the foremost artists over the years that have blurred the lines between genres,
many of them came from out of the country genre, but had songs that topped the pop
charts.
“Some of my favorite songs were written in this town, and some of my favorite records
were made in this town, so to be honored as one of Nashville’s own is an incredible
privilege that will always stand alone for me.”
Fans held homemade signs and cheered the loudest for Adkins and McBride, but the
charismatic Little Richard — bundled up in blankets over a flashy yellow suit — quickly
became the star of the show, speaking in rhyme, professing his love for Adkins’ song
“Muddy Water,” even letting out a trademark “woo” during his speech.
“I love country music,” he told reporters. “I never thought that I would have a star
in Nashville. I’ve had one on Hollywood Boulevard for ages. But to be in Nashville
is a blessing and a lesson. I’m very blessed, very grateful. I’m glad to be down
with my best friend, Elvis. I love him. I’m glad to be down with Trace and all of
them. I’m just grateful. I’m 75 years old, and I’m glad to be alive at this time.”
If there was any question about Richard’s inclusion in the country-heavy Walk of
Fame, the singer showed his impressive grasp of current country hits, name-checking
Kenny Chesney’s single “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
“I love that, because that’s the truth,” he said.
“It’s beautiful to see Nashville, how it’s grown,” he added. “A beautiful city. It
makes you very proud of it. And to see the Titans do what they’ve done. It makes
things a little tighter! My, my, my.”

CLASS OF NOVEMBER 2008
Randy Travis Little Richard Jo Walker-Meador Trace Adkins
Elvis Presley Michael McDonald Martina McBride

Randy Travis
Few careers have produced as many country classics as that of Randy Travis. In addition to "Forever and Ever, Amen" and "Three Wooden Crosses," Randy Travis has introduced "On the Other Hand," "1982," "Diggin' Up Bones," "He Walked on Water," "Look Heart, No Hands" and his self-composed "I Told You So." His 1990 smash "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" has recently been recast as a bluegrass staple. "Point of Light" was the theme song of President Bush's Volunteerism Campaign of 1991 and Carrie Underwood covers "I Told You So" on her current CD.

And when the roll is called of the greatest country albums of all time, such Randy Travis collections as Storms of Life, Old 8x10, Always & Forever, High Lonesome, This Is Me and Full Circle will surely be there. Now Around the Bend becomes an achievement to stand alongside them.

His heartfelt vocals are the envy of his industry. His singing strikes home with fans as well. To date, he has sold more than 21 million records and is one of the 10 top-selling solo country artists of all time.

During the past five years, his music has brought him some of the highest accolades of his career. In 2003-04 his gospel collection Rise and Shine won both a Grammy Award and a Gospel Music Association (GMA) honor. Its single, "Three Wooden Crosses" became a No. 1 smash and was named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.

The years 2004-2007 were good. His Worship & Faith album earned a Grammy Award and GMA accolade. He was honored with a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004. His 2006 traditional-gospel CD Glory Train won a GMA award and garnered Travis his sixth Grammy Award in 2007.

In addition to having a phenomenal recording career, Randy Travis has appeared in many films, TV movies and drama series. His movies include Fire Down Below with Steven Seagal, Black Dog with Patrick Swayze, Frank and Jesse with Rob Lowe and The Rainmaker with Danny DeVito, Jon Voight and Matt Damon. He also appeared in White River Kid opposite Antonio Banderas, Ellen Barkin and Lily Tomlin. His costars in Texas Rangers were Dylan McDermott and Usher.

Randy Travis will release his first holiday DVD, CHRISTMAS ON THE PECOS, November 4, 2008 from Image Entertainment. The new special includes live performances shot at the historic Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico plus homespun stories and a look at Carlsbad's beautiful "River of Lights" Christmas tradition.
http://www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/inductees.htm#travis

Nice write-up, thanks.

Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

Great write up! I begged my mom to go since we were there in Nashville, but she couldn't be convinced! I am so thrilled Josh Turner is the one who inducted Randy. I heard he said part of a song he wrote about Randy! Really wish my mom & I could have stayed for a few more hours! Randy was great Friday & Saturday though & Friday he said he will be at the Kennedy Center Honors soon with Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, & George Strait Honoring George Jones.

Here's another write up and pics!!
http://musiccitytv.com/2008/11/09/starwalk-little-richard-trace-adkins-m...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23939051@N06/sets/72157608792685882/

thanks Sarah for the info and links.

Sorry you couldn't convince your mom to stay just a little bit longer but i am sure it will be a time for you to remember anyway.

Always and Forever...an RT Fan
Linda and Guide, Greg

Yeah! It's definitely a time full of memories! We knew the security guard at the Hall of Fame & he got us complimentary passes for the museum plus the voucher to meet Randy! My mom & I talked to Randy for a couple minutes. The security guard had told him that we had driven 10 hours from NC just to see him and then Randy was like Where in NC and I said Rocky Mount. He then asked me how'd I find out he was going to be at the Hall of Fame and I said you're website. Then he says Oh, I don't know much about that unless my wife shows me!! Then my mom asked about Trigger & Roy Rogers which sparked up an even bigger conversation I will tell when I get home from School!

Sara

you had a great time Sara in your conversations with Randy. He is just so cool. I too feel sad that you were unable to stay for the Music City Walk of Fame induction.
But as Linda said ,even though that part of the visit in Nashville didn't happen for you, you will still have all the fond memories of your meet and greet with Randy.

I too was happy to see that Josh Turner was the one to induct Randy. He will find himself in there one day in the not so distant future. Dee

Click the link below to view photos.
http://www.visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame/ceremonies.htm
On November 9, 2008, Music City, Inc., inducted the recent class of musical greats and industry legends to the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: Martina McBride, Randy Travis, Little Richard, Jo Walker-Meador, Trace Adkins, Elvis Presley and Michael McDonald. Each honoree represents the immense talent, creativity and diverse musical styles that have made Nashville known as Music City. The honorees were recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers in the Hall of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar, sponsor GAC, Maker's Mark, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.