Seventeen of Mississippi's greatest musicians were inducted into the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame Saturday night.

Inductees in the second annual ceremony included both personalities who have become household names and folks who have been instrumental behind the scenes.

The more well-known inductees included Marty Stuart, Jerry Lee Lewis, the late Pop Staples and the Staples Singers, John Lee Hooker, Mose Allison, Charley Pride, the late Muddy Waters, Dorothy Moore and the late Conway Twitty.

"The world's best music originated in Mississippi," said Sonny Rodgers, board member.

"It's scattered out like an octopus in all directions, yet you still have a center in the great and sovereign state of Mississippi."

During a ceremony at the Hilton Hotel emceed by television personality Judy Denson, musicians and music lovers from all over gathered in the name of music.

Members of Stuart's fan club came from as far as Illinois and South Carolina to see him inducted.

"It's an honor," said Stuart of his induction. "If you think about who stepped out of this state musically — just to be listed on the same paper is an honor."

Also present at the induction were Twitty's two daughters from Nashville to accept the induction award in his honor. "We're thrilled," said Kathy Twitty.

"We are very proud of his career and music," Joni Twitty said. "He stayed on top for a lot of years.

Jerry Lee Lewis' wife, Carrie, and son, Lee, traveled from Nesbit to present the Hall of Fame with a $1,000 check to help with paying the costs of building a structure to house the Hall of Fame in Clinton.

Muddy Waters' widow, Marva Morgenfield, came from Florida and his agent, Scott Cameron, from Chicago to accept the award on his behalf.

James Blackwood, who just won his 31st consecutive Grammy nomination, couldn't perform as slated as he is recovering from a stroke, but he did come to the induction.

Also having health problems, Delta Records founder Jimmie Ammons could not be at the ceremony to accept the award for Delta, as he is in intensive care with a serious lung problem. His family accepted for him.

The other inductees, chosen from 13 categories, were John Alexander, Jimmie Lunceford, Charlie Patton, Guy Hovis, Glen Ballard, and John V. Imbragulio for Delta Records and Hartley Peavey for Peavey Electronics.

"We are very proud of his career and music," Joni Twitty said. "He stayed on top for a lot of years.

Jerry Lee Lewis' wife, Kerrie, and son, Lee, traveled from Nesbit to present the Hall of Fame with a $1,000 check to help with paying the costs of building a structure to house the Hall of Fame in Clinton.

Muddy Waters' widow, Marva Morgenfield, came from Florida and his agent, Scott Cameron, from Chicago to accept the award on his behalf.

James Blackwood, who just won his 31st consecutive Grammy nomination, couldn't perform as slated as he is recovering from a stroke, but he did come to the induction.

Also having health problems, Delta Records founder Jimmie Ammons could not be at the ceremony to accept the award for Delta, as he is in intensive care with a serious lung problem.

By Lori Herring