On Sunday night (Oct. 16) the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum held its annual Medallion Ceremony to induct new HOF members Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and songwriter/producer Fred Foster, who also founded Monument Records.
Monument Records also happens to be the company that published Dolly Parton’s 1967 debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, and her first country single, “Dumb Blonde,” which became a Top 20 hit. Fred, who produced Hello, I’m Dolly, spoke very highly of Dolly in the album’s liner notes: “Sometimes you just know and that makes up for all the times you had to guess.”
Before beginning her performance, Dolly said the following:
“If anybody deserves [a medallion], Fred, you do. You really gave me a shot. And you were a gentleman but Porter Wagoner stole me away. You really were a gentleman, but you started my life and you started me with my first record. You saw things in me that nobody else did, and I hope that I’ve made you proud. So many times, when I’m out on the road, thinking about what all has happened to me, I thank God, I thank the fans and I thank you. So, I just wanted to say congratulations and that I love you. And I’m gonna try and sing our song. It’s been 50 years or so. And it’s in a very high key. I may strain my milk, but I’m gonna try.”
Watch Dolly pay tribute to Fred with her performance of “Dumb Blonde” at the HOF ceremony.
Check out photos from the 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!
photo by Jason Simanek
