Steve Wariner was inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame on Sunday as part of the fourth class of honorees that also included Steven Curtis Chapman, Merle Kilgore, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kirk Whalum and Hank Williams, Sr.
Garth Brooks pulled a fast one on his good friend Steve when he flew into Nashville and surprised him just minutes before inducting him during the ceremony. Speaking of his friend, Garth said, "Steve Wariner is going to go down in the history books of not just country music, but all music," and also talked about Steve's humility and how he would be the last person to talk about his accomplishments. Garth then presented Steve with his official Music City Walk of Fame plaque and helped unveil his star on the Walk of Fame.
During his remarks, Steve showed his sense of humor when he shared a congratulatory email from his songwriting friend Rick Carnes. In it, Carnes joked, "Congratulations, Steve. Now all of those little people you walked on to get to the top will have the chance to return the favor!" Steve also thanked his wife, Caryn, his children and other family members who were present, and emotionally acknowledged the love and support of his parents, who were not able to attend the ceremony. "Of course, I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for people like Dottie West, Chet Atkins and Bob Luman, who all took a chance on a young kid like me," he said.
The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar and sponsors GAC, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks. Created in the fall of 2006, the Music City Walk of Fame, on Nashville's Music Mile, is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration. With the induction of this new class of honorees, there will be 24 total stars along the Walk of Fame.
Permanent sidewalk medallions made of stainless steel and terrazzo, with each honoree's name displayed in a star-and-guitar design, will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaques for this class of inductees were inlaid in Hall of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
