Music City Walk of Fame Grows with Jack White and Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn and Jack White with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

Loretta Lynn and Jack White were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame yesterday (June 4) in downtown Nashville.

The newly renovated park now boasts more usable green space, increased electrical and sound capabilities, enhanced Nashville Music Garden (home to nearly 300 roses), and 63 platinum/granite stars, each tributing musicians from all genres whose music has made a significant contribution to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and who have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration.

Mayor Karl Dean, Metro Parks Director Tommy Lynch, Metro Parks Board Chair George Anderson, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. President and CEO Butch Spyridon and NCVC Board Chair-Elect Beth Courtney and other dignitaries honored the two stars during the ribbon-cutting of the newly-renovated Walk of Fame Park.

“Great music and great parks are two of my favorite things, so it’s a very special occasion to open this fantastic new park and induct two incredible artists into the Music City Walk of Fame,” Mayor Dean said. “Walk of Fame Park is an expression of what our city is all about: a place that celebrates and honors great music — because music makes Nashville what it is. Loretta Lynn and Jack White capture the spirit of today’s Nashville–spanning multiple musical genres and generations. It’s more than fitting that they joined the Walk of Fame together today.”

“Nashville has been so incredibly open and supportive of what I and everyone at Third Man Records have tried to create since day one, and I will never forget it,” said White. “Art can thrive in oppressive conditions and also in supportive ones. I thank the community of Nashville for being the supportive kind and giving back to us.”

The Music City Walk of Fame–an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp.–was created in the fall of 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile, a roughly one-mile stretch that connects downtown to Music Row. Founding sponsor Gibson Guitar leads additional contributors Durango Boot, Hard Rock Café, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks.

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.

Additional stars have gone to Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Roy Orbison, Kenneth Schermerhorn, The Crickets, Emmylou Harris, John Hiatt, Wynonna Judd, Frances W. Preston, Michael W. Smith, Buddy Killen, Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, Bob DiPiero, Rodney Crowell, Kings of Leon, Keith Urban, Steve Winwood, Kix Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Ernest Tubb, Dolly Parton, Kid Rock and Jimi Hendrix.

Photo: Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp