PIPESTEM, WV (WVNS) – Music legend John Ellison is the newest addition into the West Virginia Hall of Fame at Pipestem Resort State Park.
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Attendees got the opportunity to hear, firsthand, the story of how Ellison went from growing up in McDowell County all the way to making music in New York.
Ellison originally purchased a one-way ticket to New York to pursue his dream of making music, after he quit his job in Welch. After his big move, he joined the Soul Brothers Six, who would go on to write and perform the hit song, “Some Kind of Wonderful”.
“Back in 1968, when we first recorded the song, we were on Atlantic Records and because of that era, my song was basically played on all black radio stations. A lot of white artists listened to black music and the cover versions of the songs. So, when Grand Funk Railroad heard my song, they found out that every time they played it in the clubs, that dance floor would fill up. Their managers told them they need to do a cover version of the song. So, in 1974, they recorded it, and because they were a white group, it was played on all white radio stations, which in turn caused other white artists to follow in their footsteps. To date, my song has been covered by 75 artists, and it is one of the most recorded songs in music history. It has been on the radio over 6 million times,” said Ellison.
Nowadays, Ellison has his own radio show called the Friendly Neighbor Show, which he hosts every Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m.
“My goal is to inspire as many as I can and hope that they listen to what I am saying and take my advice. Because when I speak, I speak truth,” said Ellison.
During his time around the park during the week of Friday, July 22, 2025, he stopped by Summers County Comprehensive High School to speak with and meet the students. Ellison was able to impart his life story and encourage the kids to chase their dreams.
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“Everything we see on this earth came from a dream. Everything. The shoes we wear, the clothes we wear, chairs we sit in, the lights, everything. So if you have a dream, something you want to accomplish, hold on to it,” said Ellison.
Ellison stuck around for a meet-and-greet at Pipestem, followed by a buffet and concert that he performed in.
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