Dead Dog Saloon welcomes first inductees to local Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame

The Dead Dog Saloon’s Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame honored its first inductees Sunday with a jam fest and ceremony.

Bil Kraus and The Mullets made up the inaugural class at the popular Murrells Inlet bar, which wanted to honor musicians that have contributed to Dead Dog’s success over the years.

The Sun News’ “Best Place for Live Music” award went to Dead Dog last year and that accolade prompted the bar to create the Grand Strand’s first Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Organizers plan to make the induction ceremony an annual event.

“No one’s ever done this,” said managing owner Charlie Campbell. “We’re excited to honor and spotlight the musicians who helped make this possible.”

Fans voted for six nominees – The Josh Brannon Band, Painted Man, The Paul Grimshaw Band, The Necessary Band, Bil Kraus and The Mullets – from November through December.

Winners received a plaque and $1,000 was donated to the charities of the winners’ choice.

Kraus was in Key West, Fla., watching from a live web cam after participating in a marathon on Sunday. His wife Elizabeth accepted the award for him.

“Bil said he has tears in his eyes,” she said from her table of Kraus fans. Some wore Bil Kraus T-shirts and all waved cutouts of Kraus’s face in the air when his name was announced.

The Mullets also showed their appreciation.

“We’re happy to be here and we’re honored to get this award. We thank you all very much,” the band said prior to performing The Rolling Stones’ “Under my Thumb.”

Along with the musicians, Dead Dog also honored Jay Hodge.

“He’s the best sound guy ever,” said Kerrine Gifford of the band Sweet Sweet.

Campbell, the owner, said the event wasn’t just a ploy to get people to go to his bar on a Sunday in January.

“[It’s] truly galvanized the music community,” he said.

Fans agreed.

“There has been no better party on the Grand Strand ever,” said Jimmy Burch marveling and gesturing toward the crowd. “They [the crowd] just all accumulated.”

Voting for the Hall of Fame lasted from Nov. 16 through Dec. 6. Out of the more than 4,300 votes, Campbell said there were many write-ins and the band Bullfrog was one of the most popular.

With new names to be added to the Hall of Fame each year, a permanent plaque will hang behind the bandstand and “will be here 50 years from now,” Campbell said.

“We didn’t win ‘Best Place for Live Music’ by accident,” he said. “This has been very heartwarming.”

This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 1:28 PM with the headline "Dead Dog Saloon welcomes first inductees to local Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame."