The federal government has designated Wilkes County as part of the Blue Ridge National Heritage area. The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame has been created at the Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and is a groundbreaking initiative, partnering with historians and musicians from within the community, state and nation. The Museum has a room dedicated to musical instruments with panels telling the story of music in the Blue Ridge area and interactive displays. The inductees are featured in the main auditorium with displays.

Induction Process

The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Nominating Committee maintains a list of potential candidates for induction in the upcoming categories.  A Selection Committee made up of industry professionals from around the country goes through two rounds of voting for the winning candidates, narrowing the list down to ten names for each category and then five.  All votes are tallied by Ballot Bin.

Candidates for election to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame shall meet at least one of the following criteria:

Those who achieved acclaim as songwriters, master musicians, national or regional performers in any form of musical heritage who were either born in or near the Blue Ridge Mountain region, or who were substantially active in the region for a substantial period of time within the region and who contributed to the music of the region, including luthiers, organizers and promoters, sidemen and side women, media personnel, dancers and callers, broadcasters, recording engineers and record company operators.  This includes those who helped expand the appreciation for the music of the Blue Ridge region, primarily old-time, bluegrass, piedmont blues and sacred music.

In addition, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame committee may, by unanimous vote, select Honorary Inductees based on the level of commitment and support certain individuals have given to creating and implementing the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.

Dr. T. R. Bryan Wilkes Heritage Music Award

For individuals who have contributed to the rich musical heritage of Wilkes County.

Dr. T. R. Bryan was one of the charter members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. He was a supporter of music and musicians at all levels. Dr. Bryan created and supported innumerable music programs in conjunction with various community groups and belonged to many community organizations.

In his memory, the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Trustees have partnered with the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society to create the Dr. T. R. Bryan Wilkes Heritage Music Award. This annual award will be given each year to a person who has contributed to music on a local level in Wilkes County (includes different genres of music, promotions, etc.). Members of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society will nominate three candidates each year, and past recipients of the Dr. Bryan Award will nominate two candidates each year that meet the criteria of this award. The nomination process may be conducted by email. The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Trustees will vote for one of the five candidates to receive the award. All recipients are considered members of the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame. 

A special plaque has been created with an image of Dr. Bryan and is given to the recipient while their name is placed on a permanent plaque in the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame exhibit at the Wilkes Heritage Museum.

Exhibits