BOBBY BARE, DIERKS BENTLEY, CONNIE SMITH AND KEB' MO' INDUCTED INTO THE MUSIC CITY WALK OF FAME

Photo ID (L to R): Keb' Mo', Connie Smith, Dierks Bentley and Bobby Bare

Photo Credit Terry Wyatt, NCVC

On Tuesday, April 5, staples of Nashville's musical fabric Bobby Bare, Keb' Mo', Connie Smith and Dierks Bentley were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. Each artist was presented their own star in Walk of Fame park in SoBro between the Hilton and the Country Music Hall of Fame, where Bare has been a member since 2013 and Smith since 2012.

Bare was presented his star by longtime friend, legendary producer and Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame member Buddy Cannon, Smith by husband and fellow Walk of Fame inductee Marty Stuart, Keb' Mo' by fellow Walk of Fame inductee Clint Black and Bentley also by Marty Stuart.

Bare’s career has spanned over seven decades, he received a GRAMMY in 1964 for “Detroit City” and earned nearly five dozen top 40 hits from 1962 to 1983. He has long been considered one of the most instrumental connectors in Country music having laid the foundation for contemporaries like Waylon Jennings and Billy Joe Shaver and influencing the styles of Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton and countless others who’ve followed in his footsteps.

The Walk of Fame’s goal is to recognize artists for their outstanding contributions to the musical history of Nashville. The artists inducted this year received the 90th, 91st, 92nd and 93rd stars on the Walk of Fame during the first ceremony in more than two years due to the pandemic.

“We are proud to bring back a Music City Walk of Fame ceremony with such a distinguished and diverse group of inductees who span various genres and eras of music,” said Ed Hardy, a distinguished Music Row executive and chairman of Music City Inc., the NCVC foundation that oversees the Music City Walk of Fame. “The individuals in the Walk of Fame remind us of Nashville’s rich history as Music City, and we congratulate the newest four members.”

This induction class joined fellow iconic musicians like Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Jimi Hendrix and Garth Brooks. The Music City Walk of Fame originated in 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile where the permanent sidewalk medallions with the names of inductees are displayed in a star design.

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME SINGER CONNIE SMITH RELEASES SOARING NEW TRACK “HERE COMES MY BABY BACK AGAIN” TODAY

54TH ALBUM "THE CRY OF THE HEART" SET FOR AUGUST 20 RELEASE ON FAT POSSUM RECORDS

Photo credit: Alysse Gafkjen

Today, country music icon Connie Smith releases her newest track “Here Comes My Baby Back Again” from her anticipated new album "The Cry of the Heart", out August 20th (Fat Possum). 

“Here Comes My Baby Back Again” is one of three tracks on "The Cry of the Heart" penned by Smith and her producer/husband Marty Stuart. “We’ve had such a great time,” affirms Smith, who says that over the past 25 years, “we’ve written 40 or 50 songs. We’ve been together long enough now that we’re starting to think alike.” Stuart adds, “When we write a new song that feels like it’s been here for 40 years and has the feeling of an old friend, I know we’re there. I love writing with her. She’s the world’s greatest finisher, polisher, and helper, as well as the consummate song hound.”

Smith recently took over the Grand Ole Opry with Marty Stuart, Lee Ann Womack, Mandy Barnett and others, celebrating her extraordinary career and upcoming release. The exceptional evening included legends such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Tanya Tucker congratulating her on her illustrious career new effort. Watch the special event HERE.

"The Cry of the Heart" is Smith’s 54th album and continues her legendary career. She teamed up with musical titans for the release, including legendary Nashville Cat, pianist Hargus “Pig” Robbins, who has regularly collaborated with Smith since the beginning. Stuart says the bond runs deep between Connie and Robbins – “her secret weapon” – both inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. “I sing better when Pig’s playing,” Smith confesses. “I love the depth and timbre of his playing. The way he plays just lifts me up and I feel more when Pig’s playing.” And for Connie Smith, singing is all about feeling. “It’s just the way I get my heart out,” she says. “I try and do it from my heart because if you don’t, it don’t mean anything.”

Smith has been consistently fanning the country music flames since her first hit single in 1964, “Once A Day” and has carried the torch ever since. In March of 2021 the Library of Congress announced that “Once a Day” was one of the 2020 selections for its National Recording Registry. “People ask me, ‘What is country music,’” says Smith. “I say, ‘To me, country music is the cry of the heart.’ We all have these experiences in our hearts and I’m trying to identify and communicate with people so they know they’re not alone.”

You can pre-order "The Cry of the Heart" HERE.

The Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced: Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Connie Smith

Garth Brooks, Hargus "Pig" Robbins and Connie Smith will be the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The announcement ceremony on Tuesday, March 6, 2012, was hosted by Kix Brooks at the Hall of Fame in Nashville. "When I got the news, I felt guilty right away because I think there are a lot of other names that I grew up on who I think should have been here before me," Garth said. "Right now, mom's up in heaven going, 'Well, it's about time.'" Inductee Hargus "Pig" Robbins said, "When I got the call, I couldn't believe it. This was totally unexpected ... It certainly is a compliment to have someone recognize your style." Smith was in the kitchen cooking dinner with her husband, Marty Stuart, when the phone rang. It was CMA Pres./CEO Steve Moore, calling to tell her the exciting news. "Marty looked on the caller ID and said, 'Get that,' because he saw Steve's name," Smith recalled. "When he told me I was one of the inductees, I didn't know what to say. There are so many others I would have voted for first. But I am over the moon about this." Watch the entire announcement below: