Music legends perform at Hall of Fame

Maurice Williams performs "Stay" at Thursday's N.C. Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

N.C. Rep. Fred Steen presents an award to Curly Seckler, who recorded bluegrass and country music for decades. Seckler, 91, is a native of China Grove. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Guitar legend Doc Watson, left, plays with Kannapolis native Larry Perkins at Thursday's N.C. Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Watson was one of this year's honorees. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

Curly Seckler, who recorded bluegrass and country music for decades with Charlie Monroe and others, is honored at the N.C. Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Seckler, 91, is a native of China Grove. Photo by Hugh Fisher.

By Hugh Fisher

hfisher@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — It was a night to celebrate some of the brightest minds and most familiar voices in music — all of them with North Carolina roots.

The N.C. Music Hall of Fame, located in downtown Kannapolis, held its 2010 inductee ceremony at the Murdock Core Laboratory on the N.C. Research Campus on Thursday.

This is the first year the Hall of Fame has held a gala dinner and awards ceremony of this type.

The packed hall rang out with applause for the accomplishments of musicians, singers and songwriters whose work spans decades.

China Grove native Curly Seckler was one of them. He joined Charlie Monroe’s singing group at the age of 19 after realizing that life “down on the farm” wasn’t enough.

He told the audience about his time as a young man picking cotton in the fields, straining his back until he’d had enough.

“I told them, when I get to the end of this row, you can watch me pick my last pod of cotton,” Seckler said.

He left cotton fields and a brief stint at Cannon Mills behind to play banjo and mandolin on local radio stations and stages, making a name for himself.

Today, at the age of 91, Seckler is a legend of the Grand Ole Opry and is working on another album.

“Seventy-five years in bluegrass, and I ain’t done yet!” a triumphant Seckler told the audience as he accepted a plaque honoring him for his induction into the Hall of Fame.

N.C. Rep. Fred Steen also presented Seckler with a letter from his colleagues in the House and a letter from Gov. Bev Perdue.

Outside the hall, Steen said it was high time that North Carolina’s musicians were honored.

“This is a great opportunity for local folks to see some great entertainers,” Steen said.

The audience came alive, clapping and singing along, as some of those legends performed.

In addition to Seckler, guitar legend Doc Watson played and sang several songs.

A seven-time Grammy award winner for his recordings, Watson is a native of Deep Gap.

At age 87, Watson’s voice was strong as he sang “Working Man Blues,” then followed it with “a little flatpickin’.”

He thanked those who had selected him for the honor of being in the Hall of Fame.

“I don’t know whether I deserve it or not, but I sure do appreciate it,” Watson said.

Maurice Williams took the stage later, singing songs he made famous with the Zodiacs, including “Stay.”

Williams has lived in Charlotte for years, and said he was privileged to be able to call this state home.

“You can be honored in a lot of places in this world, but when you’re honored at home, that’s special,” Williams said.

George Hamilton IV sang his 1957 teen ballad “A Rose and a Baby Ruth,” followed by a hymn, “We’ll Meet Again,” in memory of many singers who’ve passed on.

“Not gone away,” Hamilton said, “just gone on before.”

Durham native Don Schlitz performed “The Gambler,” the song he wrote that won a Grammy and CMA Song of the Year in 1979 when recorded by Kenny Rogers.

Among other inductees, well-known North Carolinian actor and singer Andy Griffith was honored, though he was unable to attend.

And Clay Smith accepted an award on behalf of his father, Arthur Smith, famous for his “Guitar Boogie” recordings and other work in the music industry.

Hall of Fame director Eddie Ray said locals should be aware of how many famous musicians came from their cities and towns.

“I think it’s high time these tremendous artists were recognized for their contributions,” Ray said.

Tickets to the dinner and ceremony sold out weeks in advance, organizers said.

An Albemarle man who was fortunate enough to attend brought with him albums by Hamilton and others in hopes of getting autographs.

“I’m a big music fan,” said Bruce Stickney, who came to see music legends he’s listened to for years in person.

In the end, Hamilton held up Stickney’s copy of one of his albums on stage, showing past and present together.

City Manager Mike Legg, who was mentioned alongside other city leaders for the support Kannapolis has given to the Hall of Fame, called the downtown museum “a hidden gem.”

“Our hope is that it continues to grow,” Legg said.

Contact Hugh Fisher via the editor’s desk at 704-797-4244.

2010 N.C. Music Hall of Fame inductees:

Maurice Williams

Andy Griffith

Donna Fargo

Arthur Smith

George Hamilton IV

Doc Watson

Curly Seckler

Dr. Billy Taylor

Shirley Caesar

Don Gibson

Les Brown

“Oliver” (William Oliver Swofford)

Don Schlitz