FLORENCE (AP) — Matchbox Twenty lead singer and songwriter Rob Thomas is the newest and youngest member of the South Carolina Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, with such great as James Brown and Dizzy Gillespie.
"It's all official," Thomas said, as he looked at the certificate signed by Gov. Jim Hodges that the singer was given at a concert in Charlotte, N.C., last week.
Thomas, 29, grew up in Lake City, Turbeville, and Columbia. He was formally inducted by David Godbold, executive director of the hall of fame in Myrtle Beach as its 58th member. His display will be placed between jazz great Gillespie, of Cheraw, and soul singer Brown, an Aiken native.
"Rob is a very creative person," said Mary Thomas, his grandmother. "I was surprised that he turned to music instead of drawing."
Thomas and his wife, Marisol, live near New York City.