Lionel Cartwright

Lionel Cartwright, born in Gallipolis, Ohio and raised in Glen Dale, WV, was a member of the famous country music class of 1989 and nominated for 1990 ACM New Male Vocalist alongside Garth Brooks and Clint Black. His musical hits include 3-BMI Million-Air Award songs, including the Billboard #1 “Leap of Faith”, “I Watched It All On My Radio”, “Give Me His Last Chance”, along with other Top 10 hits. As a composer, his work has been credited in over one-hundred television and film projects – including for streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV, Discovery and more. There are numerous super musicians in Nashville, buy very few with the longevity of Charlie McCoy. McCoy’s famed session work includes recording on multiple Elvis Presley movie soundtracks, with George Jones, Roy Orbinson, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Johnny Paycheck, Leonard Cohen, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Josh Turner, Gordon Lightfoot, Bobby Bare, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom T. Hall, and countless others. Famously, McCoy recorded for Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” and on both Bob Dylan’s “Blonde On Blonde” and “Nashville Skyline” albums. Although primarily known as harmonica player, McCoy also recorded bass, guitar, percussion, organ, trumpet, sax, tuba, and more on some of the most historic singles and albums in music history. Additionally, McCoy is a three-time hall of fame member, as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians Hall of Fame, and West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. His own albums won multiple CMA, ACM, and GRAMMY-awards in the 1960s and 1970s. McCoy is well recognized as the long-time musical director of “Hee Haw.” In addition, he has serviced as music director for other television shows including “The Colgate Country Showdown and “The Arthritis Telethon.” McCoy was in the house band for the TNN show “Music City Tonight” with Crook and Chase. Other television appearances include, “The Johnny Cash Show” and more. On June 11, 2022, after an already historic career, Charlie McCoy was finally asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. “I’ve had so many amazing things happen but I wanna tell you what: This is the icing on my cake,” he said on stage as he soaked in the moment.