Darius Rucker, Don McLean among group to be honored at Music City Walk of Fame

An iconic Nashville executive and some of popular music's most recognizable sounds are set to be celebrated as the latest inductees to the Music City Walk of Fame.

Grammy-winning Grand Ole Opry member Darius Rucker, "American Pie" vocalist Don McLean, Rock & Roll and Musicians hall of fame guitarist Duane Eddy and legendary RCA Records executive and Country Music Hall of Famer Joe Galante will round out the icons honored at the installation in a public ceremony on Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park.

Ken Levitan, chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.'s board of directors and founder and co-president of Vector Management, said in a press statement that the "exceptional inductee class" celebrates the "dominant force" that Nashville's music industry has become, as well as their "significant work of preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song."

Cesar Gueikian, president and CEO of Gibson Brands, said the company is proud to be honoring Rucker, McLean, Eddy and Galante.

“Darius, Don, and Duane have not only given us the gift of their music and inspired new generations of musicians," Gueikian said, "but they have also given back generously over their career to important causes that matter to all of us, while Joe has broken boundaries throughout his career, developed some of the most iconic country artists of all time and is a driving force in our community.”

The Music City Walk of Fame was created in 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile across the street from the Country Music Hall of Fame near Bridgestone Arena and the Music City Center. Permanent sidewalk medallions with inductees' names are displayed in a star design.

Rucker will be inducted by his longtime friend, professional wrestler Ric Flair. Connie Valens, the sister of the late Ritchie Valens, whose death was immortalized in "American Pie," will present McLean. Singer-songwriter Steve Wariner — a Music City Walk of Famer himself — will induct Eddy. Vince Gill — another Music City Walk of Famer and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, will induct Galante, who signed him at RCA Records.

The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. It is produced with the support of founding sponsor Gibson. Additional sponsors include the city of Nashville and Metro Parks and Recreation.

Music City Walk of Fame nominations are open to the public and are accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms are reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee. For more information about the Music City Walk of Fame, visit http://visitmusiccity.com/walkoffame.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame to add Darius Rucker, Don McLean