SEVIERVILLE, TN - Entertainer Donny Richmond, of Sevier County, has once again received the highest commendation of an international music organization. On Sept. 30, Donny was inducted into the international Airplay Express Recording Artist Hall of Fame. Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Airplay Express charts the progress of major and independent recording artists throughout the world. Donny takes his place in the Hall alongside previous inductees including Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, The Oak Ridge Boys, George Jones, Patsy Cline, and Alabama.

The Hall of Fame Award is in recognition of Donny’s outstanding achievements in the recording industry. Donny’s chart hits have reached #1 in more than a dozen countries, and have continued for over two decades. In 2019, his recordings are flourishing on various country, gospel, and pop charts internationally.

Early in Donny Richmond’s career, while living in England, he was signed to EMI Records, based in London. After experiencing a spiritual renewal, Donny focused his attention on “trying to set a good example” with Christian and “family friendly” music. Moving to Nashville in 1992, Donny was at the forefront of the newly emerging genre of “Christian Country Music”, and was arguably the genre’s most publicized artist. His duet recording with country music legend Stonewall Jackson, “Jesus Is My Lifeline”, became the longest running #1 Chart Hit in the history of Music City News and The Gospel Voice magazines in 1996/97, and has now charted at #1 internationally during 3 different decades.

Many notable successes are included in Richmond’s string of chart hits, with his hands also often included in the writing of them. Donny’s recording of “Ask The Man Upstairs”, a previous #1 in the U.S., was #1 throughout Europe in 2007 on both the Christian and Country charts. “That’s What Christmas Means”, recorded by Donny with an all-star cast of musicians, including Hall of Famers Charlie McCoy (harmonica, vibes), Boots Randolph (sax), and James Burton (guitar), was #1 on Europe’s Christmas charts in 2009, and again internationally in both 2017 and 2018. In 2011, Richmond’s recording of “Gospel Jukebox” became the longest running #1 song in the history of the European Christian charts, breaking the previous record set by Vince Gill.

Donny’s 2015 international chart hit, “The World Keeps Loving Elvis” was recorded with the largest collection ever of Elvis Presley’s former musicians to back up any singer, other than Elvis himself. Many other unique aspects of this song are detailed on YouTube. In 2019, Donny’s “There Is An Answer” broke the all time record for longevity at #1 on the international Airplay Express Charts.

Donny’s collection of awards and accolades is extensive, and includes recognitions for Artist of the Decade, Entertainer of the Decade, The Living Legend Award, and most recently, nominations for Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film. The movie, “Saving Faith”, with Donny starring as himself, received 3 nominations at the International Christian Film Festival, and also featured 2 of Donny’s #1 chart recordings.

Donny was previously inducted into the Halls of Fame of the International Country Gospel Music Assn. headquartered in Denison, TX., the Country Gospel Music Assn. of Branson, MO., and the Texoma Music Assn. in Sherman, TX for Texas/Oklahoma.