N.A.C.M.A.I Hall Of Fame Awards 2025

The North America Country Music Association International Hall of Fame Awards show 2025 was Definitely one for the books! A Night To Remember! Brought to you by East Tennessee Concerts. It was Held at The Country Tonight Theater In Pigeon Forge Tennessee. The Award Inductees included William Lee Golden And The Goldens, Mark Wills, Marty Raybon ( Of Shenandoah) and Billy Dean!
The Weather was not cooperative as storms and tornados were in the area all day and night but that didn’t stop the people from showing up and packing the house for the Awards show! You could feel the excitement in the air!
The Awards show was hosted by two lovely ladies. Jennifer Herron broadcast Journalist from Nashville Tennessee and Co- Host for the evening was none other Than Leona Williams! Singer songwriter for some of country music’s Greatest artists like Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. If you didn’t know Leona was also once married to Merle Haggard too! Leona kicked off the night doing her song called “ Working Girl Blues” so that was a real treat! She still sounds wonderful! That was Definity a nice surprise!
Up First was Billy Dean, He was all smiles and Bowing down giving the “I’m not worthy” gesture to Leona Williams. Billy Performed some of his hits like “Billy The Kid” and “ Only Here For a Little While” Billy was given his Award after his performance and even Kissed it in appreciation. The crowd seemed to really enjoy him.
Mark Wills was up next and he put on a wonderful Set which included some of his popular songs “Jacobs Ladder”, “Don’t Laugh At Me”, and “ 19 Somthin” . He really had the crowd singing along . He was a lot of fun! He received his award after his performance to a round of applause.
Marty Raybon ( Shenandoah) was up next. He came out and sang several of his popular songs like “The Church on Cumberland Road”, “Sunday In The South” and “ Beulah Land”. The Crowd was singing along and some were dancing in the isle. He received his award to a cheering crowd.
Then The time came for William Lee Golden and The Goldens! William Lee Golden ( The Oak Ridge Boys) took to the stage to a thunderous round of applause! The Goldens are a family group. William Lee’s Award winning country and gospel singer Son Chris Golden and William Lees Granddaughter Elizabeth Golden . (Who sings like an Angel.) The Whole Family is so very talented and so deserving of their awards! Tim Duncan from Canton Junction group was joining them on Bass vocals. Tim also sang ” What a Wonderful World” The Goldens performed several Oak Ridge Boys hits like “ Still Holding On” “ Thank God For Kids” . Elizabeth sang the song “ You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” with her Dad Chris and Billy Dean. Chris was multitasking doing everything from playing guitar to playing keyboards to singing . The Goldens Brought out Billy Dean, Mark Wills and Marty Raybon to do a rousing group performance of The Oak Ridge Boys Popular song Elvira! Everyone there was singing along!
There was a special touching moment during the evening when Chris Golden announced he was wearing a bolo tie that belonged to his Brother Rusty Golden who unfortunately passed away suddenly last year. The family also received an award for Rusty too as he was also a member of The Goldens till his passing. They Received their awards and William Lee received The Living Legend Award.
To End their evening performance Chris and William Lee got the crowd on their feet bringing out all the performers and taking us all to church on a Saturday night by singing the popular gospel songs “ Will The Circle Be Unbroken” “ I Saw The Light” “ I’ll Fly Away” The crowd sang along as they rushed to the stage and William Lee was shaking the fans hands . It really was a Glorious Night and all the inductees proved how deserving they truly are! Congratulations to this years awards winners !!!
Angela Richardson-Newman Music Matters Magazine.

Leona Williams / Billy Dean