13 SC artists inducted into Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, 'truly a special class'

Nearly 1,700 guests attended the South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame ceremony on Thursday, April 25, as the 2024 class of 13 artists and media members received commemoration through an evening of music and sentiments from friends, family and their colleagues.

In a packed room filled with many notable South Carolina greats, themes of God, an overabundance of guitars and an appreciation for developing artists in the Palmetto state were on full display during the show.

"This is truly a special class, and we're honored to continue the tradition of honoring the state's greatest musicians and entertainers," said Justin Ray Williams, director of the South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Here are a few highlights from the evening's Hall of Fame induction:

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Who are the 13 musicians, entertainers inducted into 2024 South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame?

The upcoming class is the largest in the Hall of Fame's history, as the committee regularly votes for a duo of artists each year, according to Roy Costner, chairman of the South Carolina Entertainment & Music Hall of Fame.

The 2024's South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame class includes:

• Josh Turner (country singer)

• Point of Grace (contemporary Christian group)

• Chadwick Boseman (film)

• Bill Anderson (Lifetime Achievement winner)

• Ainsley Earhardt (FOX News)

• Faye Christley (television)

• Mark Ferguson (radio)

• Mike Rogers (bluegrass; Kentucky Thunder)

• Marcus King (singer/songwriter)

• Jane Robelot (television)

• James Jamerson (bass player)

• Josh White (singer/songwriter/actor)

• Ronald Radford (guitarist/musician)

Now boasting 83 members, the 2024 South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame ushered in its largest class and one of the youngest members, Marcus King.

Honoring Chadwick Boseman, Mark Ferguson, James Jamerson

Mark Ferguson, who died in 2021, was represented by his daughter, Heather Lange, at the South Carolina Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Furgeson hosted Sunday in the South on 92.5 WESC and iHeartRadio in 1992.

James Jamerson, a legendary Motown bass player, was honored by family member Anthony McKnight, who accepted the award on James' behalf. Jamerson was regarded as one of the greatest bass players of all time by Rolling Stone in 2020. The Edisto Island native died in 1983.

Chadwick Boseman was honored with a video of his roles in "42," "The Black Panther," and other Hollywood films, plus various interviews over the years discussing his passion for film and acting. Boseman's family was not in attendance to receive the award; the Hall of Fame committee received it on his behalf.

A plethora of guitars at the 2024 SC Hall of Fame ceremony

Unsurprisingly, many guitars were on display and visible at the 2024 South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame ceremony.

As the various musical performances took place, all 10 acts during the show used guitars, and even a row of six guitars sat behind the podium during the event, waiting to be plucked.

Themes of God, family, friendship, and love were clear throughout musical performances by Mac Arnold, Warren Pea, Ronald Radford, Luke Deuce, and many more Palmetto State greats who were in attendance.

TV anchor gives hope for future entertainers, media members, musicians

Jane Robelot received loving video messages from her past colleagues and executives from CBS and NBC in New York during her induction into the Hall of Fame. During her speech, the longtime WYFF anchor and Clemson alumni continuously mentioned her pride in being a South Carolina native and wearing that pride no matter where she's gone in her career.

Her repeated theme to the crowd was, "Yes, you can," in reference to being a South Carolina native and interested in making an impactful living in the music or entertainment industries. She repeated the phrase and encouraged those in attendance to never doubt their abilities in these industries because of the proximity or resources that other states may have.

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One of the youngest inductees ever to the SC Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame

Americana and Blues artist Marcus King received his Hall of Fame plaque from his father, Marvin, during the Thursday evening event. During his acceptance speech, Marcus returned the sentiment as he turned around and gave his father the trophy as a token of appreciation for the ascension in his young career.

According to the board members, King, 28, is one of the youngest inductees into the Hall of Fame, who boasts a Grammy nomination and three full-length albums since 2020.

The Greenville native began playing after being influenced by his grandfather and father and knew it would be a natural progression to "join in the family trade."

"It's a tremendous honor," King told The Greenville News. "It's a little overwhelming, but it's a real blessing. To be mentioned along with all these other heroes of mine and statewide natives is cool."

King will host a two-day concert on Aug. 24-Aug. 25 in Simpsonville named the Marcus King Band Family Reunion with The Avett Brothers, Band of Horses, and more. He is currently on the Mood Swings World Tour, which will host nearly 80 shows by its completion.

For more information on the South Carolina Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame, visit carolinafame.org.

– A.J. Jackson covers the food & dining scene, along with arts, entertainment and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers. Sign up today for a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Music, speeches honor 13 inducted in Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame