New Stars for The Music City Walk of Fame

Stars will shine in broad daylight Wednesday when three-time Grammy Award-winner Darius Rucker, “American Pie” and “Vincent” singer-songwriter Don McLean, legendary rock-and-roll guitarist Duane Eddy (pictured above), and former record-label executive Joe Galante are inducted into Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame.

The induction ceremony — which members of the public are invited to attend — will take place at 11 a.m. at Music City Walk of Fame Park. Inductees will be honored for their significant work in preserving the musical heritage of Nashville, and for contributing to the world through song, with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers.

Professional wrestler Ric Flair will be on hand to induct Rucker. Connie Valens — the sister of the late Ritchie Valens, whose death was commemorated in “American Pie” — will induct McLean. Grammy Award-winner and Music City Walk of Fame member Steve Wariner will induct Eddy. And Vince Gill — 22-time Grammy Award-winner, Country Music Hall of Famer and Music City Walk of Fame member — will induct Galante.

“This exceptional inductee class for the Music City Walk of Fame embodies iconic moments in the history of music – from Darius Rucker’s rendition of ‘Wagon Wheel’ to Don McLean’s classic ‘American Pie’ to the distinctive twang of Duane Eddy’s guitar,” said Ken Levitan, Chairman of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and Founder and Co-President of Vector Management. “Nashville’s music industry would not be the dominant force it is today without Joe Galante, who solidified Country as a leading genre in the record industry and who continues to nurture the next generation of music leaders through tech startups and entrepreneur programs.”

The Music City Walk of Fame was created in 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile, a roughly one-mile stretch that connects downtown to Music Row. Permanent sidewalk medallions with the names of inductees are displayed in a star design.