Garth’s appearance completely surprised his good friend Steve, who noted that he was not even aware that Garth knew about the event. “He pulled a good one on me,” Steve told Nashville’s daily newspaper The Tennessean. Also inducted to the Walk of Fame were Hank Williams Sr., Merle Kilgore, Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and jazz artist Kirk Whalum. “I know there are other people more deserving of this honor,” Steve remarked to the crowd, “but I don’t think there’s anyone more thankful than I am about being inducted.” After the ceremony, Garth posed for photos and signed autographs for more than a half-hour.