Sherwin Linton of Minneapolis was named the 2008 FAME Entertainer of the Year at the International Convention Center in Pharr, February 14.
“This is incredible,” Linton said. “After all these years. This is just incredible!”
Linton’s entertaining abilities are well known throughout the U.S. and Canada, having appeared with many fellow Nashville stars. His impersonation of now deceased friend, Johnny Cash, is legendary.
"The voting was spirited," Reed said. "Families Advocating Moral Entertainment has made an impact in recent years, but nothing compared to the interest in 2008."
Branson’s Clay Cooper finished a close second, with Bill J. Brooks of Tupelo, Mississippi finishing third. “There were more votes cast in the 2008 FAME Awards than the total for last year’s Academy of Country Music Awards,” said director Bob Reed. “There was not a weak link on FAME’s 2008 ballot.”
Al Prosser of Mountain View, Arkansas nailed down the Male Vocalist of the Year award while Alma Reed of Houston, Texas was voted Female Vocalist of the Year. Boxcar Bob and Cactus Willie garnered the Duo of the Year award while the Baldknobbers of Branson were awarded the Group of the Year. Ray Benson’s “Ride With Bob,” a tribute to Bob Wills, won FAME’s Show of the Year award with Stub Meadows of the Baldknobbers winning Comedian of the Year. Lucy Jackson (Sister Cutie Toot) took home the Comedienne of the Year award with Ooty-Cooty-Pooty and Sister Cutie Toot winning the Comedy Show of the Year.
Cajun’ Charlie LeBlanc took home the Personality Award. Jay Roy won both, Musician and Lead Guitarist of the Year honors. The Steel Guitar and Rhythm Guitar awards went to Terry Bethel and Brian Sterling, respectively, of the Mel Tillis Show. Nova Scotia’s Keith Ross edged Wade Benson Landry of the Mel Tillis Show, and Bobby Boatright of the Texas Playboys to win the Fiddle Player of the Year award.
Bruce Wutzke of Marion, Iowa was awarded the Electric Bass Player of the Year while Michigan’s Lafayette Yarborough received the Keyboardist of the Year award. Del Puschert of Annapolis, Maryland was named Saxophonist of the Year and Ike Thurn took home the Trumpet Player of the Year honors.
Bill Amundson of Custer, South Dakota won the Drummer of the Year category with Wade Benson Landry taking the Mandolin Player of the Year award. George Sprangle of Mountain View, Arkansas was voted Banjo Player of the Year with Jerry Douglass of the Allison Drauss Band being named the Dobro Player of the Year.
Missouri’s Norman Burke won the Doghouse Bass Player of the Year honor with Rich Bellert taking home the Western Humorist Artist of the Year award.
Jody Nix of San Angelo, Texas won Western Swing Artist of the Year with Bob Krenke of Mountain View, Arkansas winning the Western Music Artist of the Year honor.
Mountain View, Arkansas scored another win as Glenn Branscum garnered the American Heritage Music Artist of the Year award. Grapevine Opry of Grapevine, Texas won the Country Music Venue of the Year award.
Mountain View, Arkansas scored perhaps its biggest win capturing the Vacation Destination of the Year award. George Jones topped the first class of 30 voted into FAME’s Hall of Fame followed by Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, Mel Tillis, Ray Price, Hank Snow, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrel, Buddy Holly, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Driftwood, Roy Acuff, Patsy Cline, Ernest Tubb, Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton, Charlie Pride, Little Jimmy Dickens, Tammy Wynette, Hank Thompson, Bob Wills, Jimmy Rodgers, Statler Brothers and Eddie Arnold.
Reed announced that there will be an additional five categories for the 2009 awards ceremony which have tentatively been set for Friday, February 20, 2009. The five additional categories to be included are Bluegrass Artist, Bluegrass Group, Gospel Artist, Gospel Group and Square Dance Caller.
The 2009 FAME Awards show and Ceremony is tentatively scheduled for February 20, 2009. For more information on FAME (Families Advocating Moral Entertainment) write: FAME, P.O. Box 1748, Pharr, Texas 78577 or call (501) 733-9520.