In an area rich with local artists and musicians, Southeast Texas can officially claim one more as a celebrated recording engineer was honored for his significant and longtime contributions to the music industry.

Don Meehan was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame at the Museum of the Gulf Coast in Port Arthur Tuesday.

Meehan is a Beaumont native and singer, recording artist, recording engineer, performer, instrumentalist and all-around musician who has received more than 35 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Multi-Platinum Engineer awards. He has worked with such legendary artists as Simon and Garfunkel, Barbara Streisand and Bob Dylan in a career that has spanned more than 50 years.

However, as museum director Tom Neal said during his introduction speech at the event, Meehan has been in the music business since he was a child.

“He started singing at age 7, and he had 50 songs he sung,” Neal said. “Who has that many at that age?”

Neal recounted some of Meehan’s many talents and accomplishments, including learning the piano, guitar and bass. In his early years, these musical talents allowed him to play with local country artists like Moon Mulligan, Cliff Bruner and Shelley Lee Alley.

Additionally, Meehan sung solo with the all-female group, Melody Maids, at the Beaumont City Hall Auditorium. He was also in the Lamar College dance band.

Meehan’s ear for music, technical skill and hardy ambition led him across the country, performing in cities like Tulsa, Atlanta and New York.

Even when he was drafted into the army, the powers-that-be apparently wanted Meehan to perform rather than fight, according to Neal.

“Doctors said he was flat-footed, but the army wanted him to perform,” Neal said.

Afterwards, Meehan became interested in recording.

“In 1957, Don went to MGM to see Walker, the president at the time,” Neal said. “Don used someone’s name to walk right in and see him.”

Neal said they signed Meehan that day, with Meehan later recounting, “Well, damn if they didn’t sign me.”

Later, Meehan acquired more steady jobs in the industry to support his growing family. Soon, he began a long and fruitful career with Columbia Records.

“He’s well-versed in what he does,” Neal said. “He also has passions in miniatures and photography.”

And never one to rest on his laurels, Neal brought up Meehan’s frequent works with experimentation. One such technique he practiced was what Neal termed “overdubbing.”

To better explain it, Neal played samples from Meehan’s work that included a 2009 recording of “America the Beautiful” in which Meehan’s voice is multiplied 233 times upon itself. Meehan sang all three octaves of the song, as well.

Among Meehan’s numerous accomplishments, Neal included Meehan’s U.S. patent for a specialized surround sound system that utilized his miniature 5.1 sound system.

Meehan maintains a studio in his home and still records.

“In his own field, there are no teachers,” Neal said, before commending Meehan’s efforts in experimenting in sound engineering.

And though Neal admitted Meehan might not be a big name in many households, he said, “He’s had a huge impact on American culture and music. He made it big every time he worked with an artist.”

President of the Port Arthur Historical Society Sam Monroe spoke in honor of Meehan and said, “I’m so glad for an engineer to get recognition.

“I have experience in the recording business myself, and the engineer is the most crucial guy there is during recording.”

In explaining some of the criteria required for being inducted in the Music Hall of Fame, Monroe cited the honoree has to have roots in Southeast Texas; had to have created a body of work; has to have some national recognition for that work, as well as have public recognition of their name.

Monroe expressed certainty that Meehan fulfilled each of those requirements.

“I’m thrilled, excited,” Meehan said in front of the crowd gathered to see him. “I’m really appreciative; I can’t get over it. I’m very appreciative, it’s really an honor.”

In referencing one of his songs, Meehan closed with “I got Texas in my blood.”

After the ceremony, Meehan said about his hall of fame induction, “It’s overwhelming. The reception is overwhelming. You do your job and do what you have to do.”