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Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson, left, and Ward 6 Aldermen Curtis Moroney, right, present Natchez native Glen Ballard with an award on Thursday night at his induction into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Submitted)

Natchez native and songwriting legend Glen Ballard performs during his induction ceremony Thursday night in Ocean Spring. Ballard was inducted into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Submitted)

Members of the group Chapel Hart and their entourage pose for prayer before the group's performance Thursday night at the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame induction. (Submitted)

Chapel Hart perform at the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday in Ocean Springs. The group will headline the 39th annual Natchez Balloon Festival Oct. 18 and 19. (Submitted)

Glen Ballard chats with Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney back stage before Ballard's induction into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame on Thursday in Ocean Springs. (Submitted)

Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee and Natchez native Glen Ballard pose for a photo with Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney and Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. (Submitted)

OCEAN SPRINGS — Natchez native and world-renowned singer-songwriter Glen Ballard was inducted into the Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame Thursday night.

Mississippi greats Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon, all honored posthumously, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame Thursday.

“I grew up listening to the music of these three legends honored tonight,” Ballard said. “They were legends then. And to be honored alongside them tonight is truly an honor. I’m not sure I deserve it.”

Ballard also spoke fondly of his upbringing in Natchez.

“If I had to go back, I wouldn’t change a thing. It would always be Natchez,” Ballard said.

Ballard, 71, performed several of his hits, including “Man in the Mirror,” which he wrote for the late Michael Jackson, and “You Look So Good in Love,” which country music legend George Strait made famous. He also performed “Hand in My Pocket,” which Ballard co-wrote with Alanis Morrisette.

Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson and Ward 6 Alderman Curtis Moroney represented Natchez at the induction.

“Curtis and I were there to present the award, and we surprised him with a book on Natchez. Included in the book was a CD of the ‘Natchez Movie’ that used to be shown at the Visitor’s Center. That was Curtis’s idea. Glen’s mother, Sallie Junkin Ballard, was one of the narrators in that movie. Glen was truly touched,” Gibson said.

Gibson said Ballard stole the crowd’s heart when he performed “For the Dreamers,” from the score he wrote for the award-winning Broadway musical, “Back to the Future,” currently in the fourth year of its run in New York.

Gibson noted Ballard’s “amazing legacy. Thousands of songs from country to hip hop, Broadway, movie scores, and entire albums, such as the Dave Matthews Band album ‘Everyday’ in 2001, where he wrote all 11 songs in 11 days. And Alanis Morrisette’s ‘Jagged Little Pill’ in 1995. That album sold 33 million copies and became one of the best-selling of all time.

“Being there to help celebrate the amazing musical achievements of our native son Glen Ballard was an experience I’ll always cherish. He truly represents the best of Natchez. And the best of Mississippi,” Gibson said.

Ballard’s niece, Sophie Nord, daughter of Dix Ballard Nord, spoke to WXXV25 reporter Elizabeth Keen about growing up with a famous uncle.

“We were always so proud of him and so excited when a new album would come out,” Nord said. “Our mom — his sister — would always buy whatever it was. We’d play it in the car, listen to it nonstop, tell all of our friends.”

Thursday night’s performers included Chapel Hart, who will headline the 39th Natchez Balloon Festival on Oct. 18 and 19. Chapel Hart will perform on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. For more information, see NatchezBalloonFestival.com.

The induction was held in the sold-out Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center. It was part of the kick-off of the Mississippi Songwriters Festival, which continues through the weekend in Ocean Springs.

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