BISMARCK, N.D. (Aug. 7, 2026) – The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame has announced its Class of 2026, honoring six individuals and groups whose talent, creativity and dedication have helped shape the musical story of North Dakota—and, in many cases, influenced audiences around the world.
According to their press release, the 2026 class spans generations and genres, from legendary dance-hall entertainers and pioneering broadcasters to award-winning producers, composers and educators. Each honoree represents a different chapter in North Dakota’s rich and remarkably far-reaching musical heritage.
The 2026 inductees are:
Greg Nelson — (Songwriters & Composers / Music Industry Contributors) Bismarck native Greg Nelson built an extraordinary career as a songwriter, composer and record producer, becoming one of the most respected figures in contemporary Christian music. His work has earned seven Grammy Awards, numerous Dove Awards and recognition from leading music industry organizations. Nelson has written and produced music for many of Christian music’s most celebrated performers, and his song “People Need the Lord” has become a modern standard performed around the world. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Shadoe Stevens — (Music Industry Contributors) Born Terry Ingstad in Jamestown, Shadoe Stevens began broadcasting at the remarkable age of 11 and went on to develop one of the most recognizable voices in American radio and television. He hosted the internationally syndicated American Top 40 from 1988 through 1995, helped shape influential radio formats and lent his voice and creativity to thousands of broadcasts, commercials and television programs. In 2023, Stevens was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame, completing a journey that began behind a microphone in his hometown of Jamestown.
The Tibor Brothers — (Musicians, Bands, Duos & Groups) Raised in a family of 14 children near Almont, the Tibor Brothers began performing at local gatherings after receiving their first instruments from their grandfather. Originally known as the Rhythm Cowboys, they played on KDIX radio, at barn dances and at community celebrations throughout the region. Over the years, the family group performed under several names before becoming known as the Tibor Brothers, carrying North Dakota’s country and western musical traditions to audiences across the country. They were inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2007.
Dr. Tom Porter — (Music Educators / Songwriters & Composers) Mandan native Dr. Tom Porter has devoted his career to composing, conducting, performing and educating generations of North Dakota musicians. A longtime professor and music department leader at the University of Mary, Porter also directed the Bismarck-Mandan Civic Chorus and the Dakota Chamber Chorale. His sacred and choral compositions have been published and performed nationally, including “Let Us Be Bread,” “We Remember, We Believe” and “By My Side.” His influence can be heard not only through his own music, but through the countless students, singers and ensembles he has inspired.
Johnny Holm — (Musicians, Bands, Duos & Groups) For more than five decades, Johnny Holm and his band have been a defining part of the live-music experience throughout North Dakota and the Upper Midwest. Known as the “Facilitator of Fun,” Holm has built his career around turning every audience into part of the show. His high-energy performances, audience interaction and relentless touring have made the Johnny Holm Band a multigenerational tradition at festivals, fairs, community celebrations, college events and dance halls across the region. Few entertainers are as deeply woven into the musical memories of North Dakotans.
Michael D. Clute — (Music Industry Contributors) North Dakota native Michael D. Clute rose from performing in Fargo-Moorhead area bands and operating a local recording studio to becoming a Grammy Award-winning Nashville producer, engineer and mixer. His extensive career includes work with Diamond Rio, Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap, Alabama, BlackHawk, Amy Grant and many others. Clute received Grammy Awards for his production and engineering work on Diamond Rio’s album The Reason. A pioneer in digital recording technology, he also helped introduce new production methods that influenced the sound and evolution of modern country music.
“North Dakota’s musical story is much larger than any one genre, stage or generation,” said Kayla Lawson, Board Member of the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame. “The Class of 2026 includes entertainers who filled dance halls, voices heard around the world, educators who shaped generations of musicians and producers whose work changed the sound of American music. Together, they demonstrate the extraordinary reach of talent that begins right here in North Dakota.”
The six honorees will be formally inducted during the 2026 North Dakota Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Bismarck State College’s ATC Theater.
The public is invited to attend and help celebrate the lives, careers and lasting legacies of the Class of 2026. Additional ceremony and ticket information will be available through the North Dakota Music Hall of Fame.
The North Dakota Music Hall of Fame honors the performers, educators, songwriters, composers, producers, broadcasters and music industry leaders who have shaped North Dakota’s musical identity and carried its influence far beyond the state’s borders. Through its annual induction program, public events, educational storytelling and permanent displays, the Hall works to preserve these important legacies, inspire future generations and ensure that North Dakota’s music history is celebrated throughout the year.