Nelson County native and celebrated country and gospel music artist Jimmy Fortune will be inducted into the Virginia Music Hall of Fame on Saturday at Nelson County High School.
Fortune has returned to his high school alma mater several times for benefit performances. Saturday’s event includes another one of those, too, and will aid the school’s band program. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m.
Fortune, who was born in Williamsburg and moved to Nelson County as an infant, already is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in recognition of his long career with The Statler Brothers. The group retired in 2002, and Fortune tours now as a solo artist.
The Williamsburg-based Virginia Musical Museum will host Saturday’s induction ceremony to the Virginia Music Hall of Fame. The museum, founded by Virginia Music Hall of Fame administrators Buddy and Peggy Parker, has a large collection of career pieces, costumes and personal items from notable musical artists who originated from Virginia.
“It’s a big deal he’s back at his hometown,” said Robert Hodge, an on-air personality for WMBG Radio on Williamsburg, who is helping coordinate the event.
“For a long time, he was the beautiful tenor voice that sang with The Statler Brothers. When the Brothers retired [in 2002], he continued his career. It’s time we honor him now that for solo career and let Virginia know he is one of our native sons.”
Hodge said after interviewing Fortune on air, he reached out to the museum about inducting Fortune into the Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
Tickets are $18 in advance or $23 at the door and can be purchased at JimmyFortune.com or by contacting Scott Belcher at Nelson County High School either by email, sbelcher@nelson.k12.va.us or by calling (434) 263-8317.