North Dakota Music Hall of Fame Announces 2026 Class of Six Inductees

The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, adding six honorees to the state’s roster of celebrated musicians and music industry figures. The inductees will be formally honored on Sunday, September 20, at 2 p.m. in the ATC Theater on the campus of Bismarck State College. The ceremony is open to the public and more information can be found on ndmusichall.com.

The inductees represent a broad spectrum of the North Dakota music scene, from songwriting and production to radio broadcasting and live performance. The six honorees are Greg Nelson, Shadoe Stevens, The Tibor Brothers, Dr. Tom Porter, Johnny Holm, and Michael D. Clute.

Greg Nelson, a Bismarck native, is a songwriter, composer, and record producer who has earned seven Grammy Awards and multiple Dove Awards. His work has been recognized by major music industry organizations, and he was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Nelson’s song “People Need the Lord” has become a modern standard performed worldwide.

Shadoe Stevens, born Terry Ingstad in Jamestown, began broadcasting at age 11 and later became a prominent voice in American radio and television. He hosted the internationally syndicated American Top 40 from 1988 to 1995 and has contributed to numerous broadcasts, commercials, and TV programs. Stevens was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2023.

The Tibor Brothers, raised near Almont in a family of 14 children, brought North Dakota’s country‑and‑western traditions to audiences across the United States. The group was previously honored with induction into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2007.

Dr. Tom Porter, a Mandan native and Ph.D. holder, has devoted his career to composing, conducting, performing, and educating musicians throughout North Dakota. He has taught at the University of Mary, directed the Bismarck‑Mandan Civic Chorus, and led the Dakota Chamber Chorale.

Johnny Holm has been a fixture of live music in North Dakota and the Upper Midwest for more than five decades. Known as the “Facilitator of Fun,” Holm’s band has made the audience an integral part of each show.

Michael D. Clute began his career performing in Fargo‑Moorhead area bands and running a local recording studio before becoming a Grammy‑winning producer, engineer, and mixer in Nashville. His credits include work with Diamond Rio, Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap, Alabama, BlackHawk, and Amy Grant. Clute received Grammy Awards for his production and engineering on Diamond Rio’s album The Reason and has been a pioneer in digital recording technology, influencing the sound of modern country music.

The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame continues its tradition of recognizing individuals who have shaped the state’s musical heritage. The 2026 induction ceremony will feature speeches, musical performances, and a presentation of plaques to each honoree. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the inductees and to celebrate the diverse contributions that have defined North Dakota’s music scene.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, at the ATC Theater in Bismarck. The event is open to the public, and tickets are available through the Hall of Fame’s website. The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame invites fans, musicians, and community members to join in honoring the legacy of these six distinguished artists and industry professionals.