O.V. Wright, William Ferris among Blues Hall of Fame's 2024 inductees
Memphis R&B singer O.V. Wright and Center for Southern Folklore founder William Ferris are among those set to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
The 44th class of the Hall of Fame, operated by the Memphis-based Blues Foundation, was announced this week. It also includes Chicago guitarist Lurrie Bell, groundbreaking blues/jazz performer James Rushing, folk-blues powerhouse Odetta, early-20th century guitar virtuoso Scrapper Blackwell, R&B songstress Sugar Pie DeSanto, and Chicago bandleader Lil' Ed and his Blues Imperials.
Induction ceremonies for the 2024 Hall of Fame class will take place May 8 at Downtown's Halloran Centre, as part of the festivities surrounding the annual Blues Music Awards, which will follow at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts on May 9.
Since launching the initiative in 1980, the Blues Foundation has inducted new members annually into its Blues Hall of Fame for their historical contribution, impact and overall influence on the blues. Members are inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in five categories: performers, individuals, books, songs and albums. The Blues Foundation has inducted more than 400 industry professionals, recordings and works of literature into the Hall of Fame.
Among those with local ties in the 2024 class, the Mississippi-born William Ferris will be honored for his “multifaceted contributions as an author, folklorist, professor, lecturer, and administrator.” The Grammy-winning Ferris is also being recognized by the Hall for cofounding the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis and later directing the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi, as well as his involvement in preserving blues history with the radio show "Highway 61" and his work releasing recordings on the Southern Culture label, among other contributions.
Born in Lenow, Tennessee, just outside Memphis, in 1939, the late O.V. Wright is being inducted for his "powerful fusion of blues, soul, and gospel, [and the] unparalleled emotion-drenched intensity to his music.” Wright began his career as a gospel singer with the Sunset Travelers. He later moved onto a secular career recording influential R&B sides for Memphis’ Goldwax record company and the Backbeat label, before a successful run with the iconic Bluff City soul institution Hi Records. Wright died while performing in Alabama in 1980.
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In addition to the performers, several recordings, including those by Memphis singer Bobby Bland (the 1962 LP "Here's the Man!!!") and Mississippi-born Junior Parker (1961's "Driving Wheel") will also be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Downtown’s Blues Hall of Fame, at 421 S. Main, will also be showcasing several special items representing the 2024 class of inductees. The artifacts will be on display for public viewing beginning the first week of May and will remain on view for a year.
The May 8 ceremonies at the Halloran honoring the Blues Hall of Fame inductees will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the formal inductions commencing at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Blues.org.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Blues Hall of Fame 2024 inductees: O.V. Wright, William Ferris, more
