The Gospel Music Association (GMA) will induct eight music greats into its Gospel Music Hall of Fame on November 27 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Elvis Presley is among the eight inductees who will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame event, open to the public and held for the first time at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, November 27 at 7 p.m.
"This year's class of inductees is outstanding and represents the wide diversity and musical heritage of Christian and gospel music. The GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame was established in 1971 and has inducted 122 members since its inception, including Mahalia Jackson, Billy Graham and the Jordanaires. Selection into the Hall of Fame is made by approximately 300 members of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame electorate, who each have at least 10 years experience in the gospel music field.
Highlights of the careers of the newest inductee Elvis Presley:
Elvis Presley may be celebrated as the "King of Rock N' Roll," but his true musical love was gospel music as he recorded more than 50 gospel songs throughout his well-known career. Among Presley's classic renderings were "He Touched Me," "Without Him," "How Great Thou Art" and "Peace in the Valley," which he performed on the "Ed Sullivan Show." His three Grammy wins were for gospel recordings. Presley's ties to the gospel music community include four Gospel Music Hall of Fame members – The Jordanaires, The Imperials, The Speers and The Stamps -- all back-up groups for Presley.