Mac McAnally Welcomed Into Alabama Music Hall Of Fame

FLORENCE, Ala. - For outstanding contributions as a composer, performer and master of multiple instruments, Mac McAnally was inducted on Feb. 3 into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame at the Shoals Marriott Conference Center in Florence, Alabama.

Already a member of the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, McAnally fits perfectly into the Hall's mission "to recognize and honor musicians, primarily natives of Alabama, whose artistry has earned acclaim throughout the United States."

Along with McAnally, legendary folk artist Odetta, songwriter Walt Aldridge and session ace Eddie Hinton were honored at the event as the 2018 inductees.

The ceremony, which was taped for broadcast in the spring by Alabama Public Television, included two live performances by McAnally with an all-star Muscle Shoals house band of his songs "On Account of You" and "It's My Job."

"The particular music community that is Muscle Shoals is one of the blessings of my life," said McAnally, referencing his extensive history of recording and producing at Alabama's famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. "To sit at the feet of (producer) Rick Hall, (producer) Terry Woodford and (producer) Clayton Ivey, all the players I got to work with, changed the course of my life in a big way. So to get this award, and for it to happen there, is really a big deal. I'm truly grateful for everything that's transpired there."

"Mac is authenticity personified," Alabama Music Hall of Fame Board of Director member Judy Hood noted. "He's as good as it gets personally and professionally. He is a treasure and it's about time we threw a party to celebrate him."

Born in Red Bay, McAnally has authored dozens of hit records for other artists, several of which peaked at No. 1. His own recording career began with a debut hit single "It's A Crazy World" (1977) and continues most recently with Southbound (2017), an ambitious orchestral adaptation of many of his best-known songs. His nine CMA Musician Of The Year Awards tie him with Chet Atkins as the all-time leader in that category. With studio credits that include albums by George Strait, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Brad Paisley and Kenny Chesney, among many others, it's no wonder that The Huntsville Times/Alabama Media Group has dubbed him "the Michael Jordan of roots-music instrumentalists." In addition to his work as a producer, writer and performer, McAnally is a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band