Five country musicians played their way into the Island's history records and were inducted into the Bermuda Music Hall of Fame last night.

Dozens of family members and friends came out to Shine's Music Studio to honour the achievements of musicians Tommy Horseman, Sammy Moniz, Jack Whitney, William "Cheese" Ray and Jean Howes.

The five inductees were praised for their talents and honoured for the significant roles they played in developing the local music and entertainment scene.

The Hall of Fame — established by musician Wendell "Shine" Hayward and author Dale Butler — serves to educate locals and visitors about their contributions.

According to Mr Hayward, the school system now encourages young people to learn about local artists and the Hall of Fame is a great resource for such information.

Though he admits country and western music isn't always in the forefront on modern radio stations, Bermuda had a rich history in the genre, he said.

"Just listening to Jean Howes talking about them having a country-western night and pulling the guys together and they had over 1,000 people (in the audience) — there is something to be said about that.

"I think in Bermuda we have communities of almost all genres of music represented. They are not jumping out at people, they don't hear country music played on our radio stations every day, all day, but these (inductees) played this music and I love just sitting and watching them do what they do."

The first inductee of the night was musician Mr Horseman, who died in 1982. In the 1950s and 60s he was the first to introduce the steel guitar to Bermuda.

He had his own radio show, taught British actor Tommy Steele to play guitar and served in World War II and is featured in the new War Memorial on Front Street.

The late Mr Moniz, known as Bermuda's yodelling cowboy, who begun playing country music at the age of 13, was also honoured.

Mr Moniz began his musical career with the Rainbow Valley Boys Band and went on to play every Saturday night over the local radio. He was also in a movie called 'Ivory Ape' filmed in Bermuda in 1980.

Popular entertainer Mr Whitney, described as 'the father' of Bermuda-style country and western music, called the honour "terrific".

"I would like to thank Dale Butler for taking his time out for a wonderful show. I hope people will continue to play my music for a long, long time, in remembrance of J W."

In the 1940s and 50s Mr Whitney and his band 'The Bermuda Plowboys' had a large following on the Island and people would gather from miles around to hear them play at Rowley's guesthouse and at the Somerset Workmen's Club.

In addition to his performing success, Mr Whitney took part in the first local radio television show broadcast from Kindley Field in St. Georges.

Inductee the late Mr Ray, who was enlisted in the Bermuda Police Service in the 1940s, was also an equestrian, automobile salesman and country music recording artist.

He released his first recording 'My Place in the Sun' in 1994 and had been playing the guitar from an early age.

He played on the first radio station in Bermuda, ZFA3, and also landed a music gig with Mr. Whitney's band.

The last inductee of the evening was Mrs Howes, a blind musician who learnt to play an accordion her father gave her on her 17th birthday by ear.

For the next ten years she played at various nightspots throughout the Island with three local bands including "Jack Whitney and the Bermuda Plowboys".

In 1958, she became a Christian and stopped playing at clubs but continued performing at church, nursing homes, rest homes and social functions throughout the Island. She also is the host of a popular broadcast programme aired annually at Christmas.