Buddy Cannon, selected as 2021 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame

LEXINGTON, TN (WNBJ) - A Henderson County music icon has been recently honored in a huge way.

This week the news was officially announced that Lexington native, Buddy Cannon, has been selected as one of the 2021 inductees into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame.

Buddy Cannon’s diverse career as a songwriter, singer, musician, and producer dates back to the 1970s.

He has several chart-topping songs from I Believe in You, Set ‘Em Up Joe, and Dream of You.

As a songwriter, Cannon says he is grateful to receive such an esteemed honor.

“It's like a dream, it’s like a dream that comes true. Membership into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame is voted on by members of the organization. To get their stamp of approval, it makes me think that people who voted for me think that I am good enough to be in there. That’s all I ever try to do, is try to write a better song,” said Buddy Cannon, Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame Inductee.

Cannon’s love of music started at a young age, simply listening to his old battery-powered radio growing up in Lexington.

He says he was heavily influenced by his uncle Dalton Tait.

“He was a great inspiration to me. He encouraged me, he taught me. When he would see me playing the guitar and playing the wrong cord or something. He would straighten me out. I loved the guy and I miss him so much,” said Cannon.

Growing up, Cannon spent a lot of time at the local radio station. It was a hub of creativity and motivation for him,

“I would listen to everything, all the music I could find to listen to," said Cannon.

The present owner of that same radio station says he grew up always hearing Buddy Cannon’s name.

“So, back in the 60s and 70s, my dad was the general manager and eventually the owner of the station, but local talent would come into the radio station and record a radio program to be played back on Saturday mornings and a lot of country bands and really good musicians, but Buddy hung around the radio station all the time, especially during the time that the band was playing,” said Don Enochs, the General Manager at WZLT 99.3.

The people of Henderson county are so proud of Cannon. They even have a highway named in his honor.