Dierks Bentley, Bobby Bare, Connie Smith + Keb’ Mo’ Inducted Into Music City Walk of Fame

The Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville inducted four new members on Tuesday (April 5). Dierks Bentley, Bobby Bare, Keb’ Mo’ and Connie Smith are the latest artists to receive their own stars at Walk of Fame Park.

Each artist was introduced by a fellow musician. Bare was presented by Buddy Cannon, Smith was presented by her husband, Marty Stuart, Keb’ Mo’ was introduced by fellow Walk of Fame member Clint Black and Bentley was also presented by Stuart, a longtime friend and mentor.

According to the Tennesseean newspaper, Smith shared her appreciation for her career upon accepting the honor, commenting, “My career never feels like work. I am just someone who loves to sing.”

Bentley took to the podium to thank his family and fans, joking about the honor being the pinnacle of his career.

“I want to thank everyone here for making it crystal clear that I’ve peaked,” Bentley said. “This is it! Just kidding — I hope.”

Bentley also reflected on his journey to Music City, noting that bluegrass music provided a door into the country music world.

"Country music served as a portal into another world for me," Bentley said. "So, when I moved to Nashville at 19, started playing at the Station Inn, and discovered that people like Keith Whitley, Ricky Lee Skaggs and Marty Stuart were all bluegrass-inspired artists too, it helped me find my footing.”

This week’s event was the Walk of Fame’s first induction in more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 inductees join a list of 89 other honorees, including Reba McEntire, Hank Williams, Randy Travis and Miranda Lambert.

The first induction ceremony took place in 2006 and honored McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Kenneth Schermerhorn, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, Boudleaux and Felice Bryant and Roy Orbison as its first-ever inductees. Fans who visit Nashville can see the stars of each inductee at the park, located between the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Hilton hotel in downtown Nashville.