Wayne Taylor To Be Inducted Into The Virginia Country Music Hall Of Fame

Wayne TaylorCongratulations to Blue Highway’s Wayne Taylor, who is set to be conducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame next week! He will be among prestigious company, as the Hall of Fame includes such luminaries as Patsy Cline, Mother Maybelle Carter, and Dr. Ralph Stanley, just to name a few.

Wayne Taylor’s journey is truly remarkable. Wayne spent much of his childhood on crutches or in a wheelchair, overcoming these difficulties to eventually become a coal truck driver. In 1994, he helped found the award-winning bluegrass band, Blue Highway. Through their original songs, soaring harmonies, and inventive instrumental work, Blue Highway has amassed 25 IBMA Awards, 6 SPBGMA Awards, a Dove Award, and a pair of Grammy nominations. Their latest album, Original Traditional shows that they have no plans of slowing down.

Two decades after they first began, Blue Highway is one of the most influential bluegrass bands of their generation, and Wayne Taylor’s hallmark vocals and solid bass work are staples of their signature sound. The Virginia Folk Music Association has noticed, rewarding Wayne Taylor with their highest honor: induction into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame.

“I want to thank the Virginia Folk Music Association for this honor. This took me completely by surprise. I never imagined I’d be named in that group, with people like Patsy Cline – that’s the greatest honor in the world,” says Wayne.

This news couldn’t have come at a better time. Following a tumultuous 2016 which saw Wayne off the road recovering from major heart surgery in May, he has returned to performing and will soon be able to add “Hall of Famer” to his name. Way to go!

Wayne Taylor’s induction will take place Saturday, October 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds at 10300 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield, VA, during the 18th Annual Jumping Bluegrass Festival, followed by a performance by Blue Highway. For tickets and more information, visit www.VAFolkMusic.org.

Help us congratulate Wayne Taylor on this huge honor!

Share this:

About the Author

Daniel Mullins

Daniel Mullins is an IBMA award-winning journalist and broadcaster from southwestern Ohio, with an American Studies degree from Cedarville University. He hosts the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast and his daily radio program, The Daniel Mullins Midday Music Spectacular, on the Real Roots Radio network. He also serves as the station’s music director, programming country, bluegrass, and Americana music.