A Belmont University Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business professor was recently inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame.
Professor Don Cusic was inducted into the Western Music Hall of Fame by the International Western Music Association (WMA) in the “historian” category, according to a press release by Belmont University.
In addition to writing 28 books and editing more than 500 articles, Cusic has taught music business courses since 1982, according to Belmont’s press release. Currently, Cusic co-hosts the International Country Music Conference and edits the International Country Music Journal.
“I grew up watching Roy Rogers on TV—he was a hero of mine—and now, to be in the same Hall of Fame with Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry and others is beyond words,” Professor Cusic said in a statement. “I carried a Roy Rogers lunch box to school during my early days and my favorite entertainment was watching cowboy shows on TV. It’s hard for me to believe that the Western Music Association chose to honor me with their ultimate award.”
The WMA Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to “honor groups and individuals who have made significant contributions to western music composition, performance and history,” according to WMA’s website. The organization was founded to “encourage and support the preservation, performance and composition of historic traditional and contemporary music and poetry of The West.”
Past and notable inductees in the WMA Hall of Fame include Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Sons of Pioneers, Bing Crosby, and Johnny Cash.
WMA defines ‘Western Music’ as the folk music of the Western lifestyle and vista. While “Cowboy” music is an important part of the history of Western Music, WMA notes that the stories and lifestyles of the larger populations of Western culture are equally important in contributing to the Western Music genre.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Don Cusic” by Belmont University. Background Photo “Belmont University” by Belmont University.
