Collective Soul
2009 Inductee

Collective Soul, the multi-platinum rock band from Stockbridge, Ga., found mainstream radio success in the post-grunge 1990s with chart-toppers including "Shine," "December" and "The World I Know." Principle songwriter Ed Roland, guitarist Dean Roland bassist Will Turpin and drummer Shane Evans released their first album, Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, in 1993 on Atlanta label Rising Storm. Based on its buzz, Atlantic Records picked up the album and in 1994, the breakthrough hit, "Shine" earned the quintet its first platinum record…

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Third Day
2009 Inductee

Formed in Marietta, Ga., over 15 years ago, rock band Third Day has racked up 25 #1 singles across multiple formats and earned both Grammy® and Dove Awards. Known for its Christian foundation, the band has nevertheless enjoyed mainstream crossover success for a sound heavily influenced by '70s Southern and arena rock. The band was founded originally as a duo by vocalist Mac Powell and acoustic guitarist Mark Lee. They met bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr, who were playing with a group called Bullard Family Singers…

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Peter Conlon
2009 Inductee

To many Atlanta residents, Peter Conlon's name is a familiar one.  The veteran promoter is associated with the city's largest music events and venues. An Atlanta native and a graduate of the University of Georgia, Conlon began his music career by organizing benefit concerts for President Carter's 1980 reelection campaign.  After serving the President in Washington, Conlon returned to Atlanta to start Southern Promotions, a political consulting and entertainment firm.  He eventually joined forces with music industry veteran, Alex Cooley. The company quickly grew into one of the country's top ten entertainment production agencies, producing more than 400 shows per year.  Conlon was co-conceiver and producer of the successful Music Midtown Festival…

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Bryan-Michael Cox
2009 Inductee

An award-winning American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, Bryan-Michael Cox has presided over some of the most successful pop recordings of the late 90s and 2000s.  Born in Miami, Cox moved to Atlanta in 1997 where he majored in Music at Clark Atlanta University.  There he met Beyonce Knowles and produced a demo tape for her group.  Cox began professionally producing in 1998 and received his first formal credit on 1999's "Get Gone" by the R&B group, Ideal.  Included in his list of Hot 100 #1 hits are Mariah Carey's "Don't Forget About Us," Usher's "Burn," "Confessions, Pt. 2" and "U Got It Bad." Cox has won four GRAMMY awards for songwriter and producer in partnership with Jermaine Dupri.  His first Hot 100 Top 5 hit without Dupri was Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You."…

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John L. (Johnny) Carson
2009 Inductee

Though John L Carson has combined his musical pedigree, talent and love of people to pioneer a career in Georgia's music industry.  The grandson of the late Fiddlin' John Carson and the nephew of late RCA recording artist, "Moonshine Kate" Carson, the Cabbagetown native has booked, managed, promoted, produced, showcased and paid tribute to hundreds of country, bluegrass, gospel and western musicians. In addition to his publishing and production companies, he serves as President of the Atlanta Society of Entertainers and is a long-time board member of the Friends of Georgia Music Festival. I 1982, he and his long-time business partner, Phyllis Cole, co-founded the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame and he was inducted in 1996.…

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Roy Hamilton
2009 Inductee

Though he is not as well remembered today, vocalist Roy Hamilton was an extremely popular and influential hitmaker during his short career in the 1950s. Elvis Presley, Jackie Wilson, Brook Benton and the Righteous Brothers all drew from the stylings of the Leesburg, Ga.-born crooner, whose gospel background flavored his rich baritone. His was a Golden Gloves boxer before he was discovered singing in a New Jersey nightclub in 1953. His first single for Columbia Records, "You'll Never Walk Alone," reached #1 on the R&B chart and crossed over to the top 30 on the pop chart in 1954. Hamilton's popularity grew up with the subsequent hits, "If I Loved You," "Ebb Tide," "Hurt" and 1954's "Unchained Melody," followed later by "Don't Let Go" (1958) and "You Can Hae Her" (1961).He also appeared in the Columbia Pictures movie, Let's Rock…

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Shakir Stewart
2009 Inductee

Oakland, California native Shakir Stewart was a born negotiator with an ear for the right sound and the vision for the right deal. As a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Stewart became well-known in the local entertainment industry by promoting rap concerts by artists such as Luke, Scarface, Too Short and Nas.  Upon graduation, Stewart joined Hitco Music Publishing as their Creative Director.  By the age of 24, he had earned the title of Senior Vice President. During his tenure at Hitco, his undeniable presence and his gift for artist development captured the eye of Antonio "L.A." Reid, who offered Stewart the position of A&R Consultant to LaFace Records.…

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Berry Oakley
2009 Inductee

Though Born in Chicago in 1948, Raymond Berry Oakley made a lasting impact on rock music before his untimely passing at age 24. He played guitar locally as a teenager, then filled in on bass for Tommy Roe's group before moving to Florida in the late 60s to join guitarist Dickey Betts' band, Second Coming.  In 1969, Oakley and Betts joined guitarist Duane Allman, vocalist and keyboardist Gregg Allman and drummers Butch Trucks and Jaimoe Johanson to found The Allman Brothers Band in Jacksonville. The musicians moved to Macon, Georgia, at the behest of Phil Walden, who signed the group to his newly-formed label, Capricorn Records…

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