Ferguson, Sakamoto next inductees into Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

TORONTO – Wendell Ferguson and Ron Sakamoto will be the next inductees into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

The Juno-nominated Ferguson is a respected guitarist who has performed or recorded with the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Shania Twain and George Fox.

The Streetsville, Ont., native is also an experienced producer and led the country group Coda the West.

Sakamoto, meanwhile, has forged a career in live event production and management that spans nearly a half-century.

Born in southern Alberta, Sakamoto now runs Gold & Gold Productions Ltd. with his son, Shawn.

He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as an industry builder.

“This is such a tremendous honour,” Sakamoto said in a release. “I’m very humbled to be in the company of all of the notable past recipients.”

Ferguson added in a statement of his own that he was “honoured, humbled and totally shocked” by the news of his inclusion.

The induction ceremony will take place at a private industry event during Country Music Week, running Sept. 4-7 in Edmonton.

Past inductees include Buffy Sainte-Marie, Sylvia Tyson, Anne Murray and Lightfoot.