This item appears to be a prototype of a plaque to accompany the recognition of induction into the Walkway Of Stars, located in the sidewalk outside the main entrance to the Capitol Music Hall, past home of Jamboree U.S.A. in Wheeling, WV. Â The walkway was dedicated in 1983, so this item would be circa early 1980's. Â The walkway was dedicated to performers of Jamboree U.S.A., from local, regional, and national country music artists. Â Including Cash, other artists include Hawkshaw Hawkins, Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, The Statler Brothers, Buck Owens, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, and Conway Twitty. Â Jamboree U.S.A. Is where current country superstar, Brad Paisley got his start. Â He grew up about 15 miles south in Glen Dale, WV. Â The last addition to the walkway was local/regional talent Slim "The Wheeling Cat" Lehart, who was inducted in 2014. Â I obtained this item in 1996 when I purchased Wheeling Trophy from my high school basketball coach. Â He probably proposed the original idea to Jamboree U.S.A. corporate, and they rejected it, leaving behind a one of a kind prototype.
Here is a description of the item:
12x15x1 Walnut plaque with a glossy gold aluminum backplate, an enraved, black brass plate, a sublimated (ink burnt into aluminum) glossy gold aluminum plate, and cowbell (a staple at Jamboree shows) mounted to the plaque. Â The engraving on the black brass reads across the top in two lines, COUNTRY RADIO (1) LEGEND AWARD (2). Then the sublimated plate is below that. Â The next engraved line is the Jamboree U.S.A. logo from the time. Below that are two engraved generic artwork items. Â First, an "ON AIR" sign that was a broadcasting staple, and then a portable radio is engraved. Â The cowbell is mounted to the right of the last two logos, and to the right of the cowbell is a custom piece of artwork. Â It is a vintage RCA broadcast microphone with the call letters WWVA on top of the microphone. Â Â The sublimated plate has the following text (asterisks in this text are actually stars on the plaque and a / mark will indicate the break in text lines)
(In bold print) Â JOHNNY CASH// The songs of Johnny Cash speak of the human expe-/rience as seen from the eyes of one ordinary person/who considers himself no better and no worse than any/other being on the planet * The people who work and/sweat for the American Dream have been the subjects/for Cash's music for over 30 years * In addition to his/accomplishments as a singer and writer, Cash has/also shown leadership in the music industry by serving/as an informal counselor to those in trouble and,/frequently as an example to fellow musicians * He's/performed at dozens of prison benefits, spearheaded/drives for prison reform, corresponded with countless/prisoners and aided many of them in their return to so-/ciety * He's been directly responsible for launching/the successful careers of dozens of country, pop and/folk musicians and supports numerous humanitarian/and charitable organizations * Johnny Cash is more/than a country and pop star * He is a Legend*
A photo of Cash is to th right of the text.