The biggest artists in the Country Music Hall of Fame
Take a look at the stars who will go down in country music history
Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is one of country music's highest honours. The Country Music Association (CMA) created the accolade to recognise significant contributions to the advancement of country music by individuals in both the creative and business communities. New members are elected annually by a panel of industry executives chosen by the CMA.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exists to preserve, celebrate, and share the important cultural heritage that is country music. Any visit to Nashville is not complete without checking out the extensive exhibits on display.
The biggest artists inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
Patsy Cline
8th September 1932 - 5th March 1963
Patsy Cline's career may have been cut short due to her tragic death at age 30, but she remains the most popular female country singer in recording history. Cline's hit 'Crazy', penned by Willie Nelson, is the Number 1 jukebox hit of all time. Now a country music icon, her unique and impeccable vocal talent set the standard for country singers and inspired a generation of women including Loretta Lynn, Linda Ronstadt and Wynonna Judd.
Charley Pride
18th March 1934 - 12th December 2020
As one of country music's first Black superstar, Charley Pride's baritone captivated audiences and broke racial and cultural barriers. Pride's commercial success was primarily from the 1960s through to the 1980s, but his impact on country music is timeless. The 2020 recipient of the CMA's Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award, Pride has inspired countless performers, showing that country music can be loved and performed by anyone, regardless of their skin colour.
Tammy Wynette
5th May 1942 - 6th April 1998
Tammy Wynette, alongside Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, dominated the country music charts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Wynette's music dealt with the difficulties of working women, raising children, and domestic life. The line between professional and personal blurred in her work, leaving a legacy of graceful style and country-grit.
Elvis Presley
8th January 1935 - 16th August 1977
He may be the King of Rock & Roll, but Elvis Presley was raised on country and gospel. Throughout his music, from his early beginnings touring with Johnny Cash and June Carter, to his superstardom, his country roots can be found in his records. One of the most influential performers of all time, his life and career have gone down in history.
Johnny Cash
26th February 1932 - 12th September 2003
'The Man in Black' overcame hardship and personal demons to reach superstar status in the late 1960s and continued to record - and be commercially successful - until his passing in 2003. One of the most recognisable country artists, his extensive discography burst the door to country music worldwide, and his raw honesty has impacted millions of music lovers.
Garth Brooks
7th February 1962 -
When it comes to a once in a generation performer, Garth Brooks is the blueprint. His entertainer status, record breaking album sales and immense popularity, was integral in the golden era of 90s country. While others stuck to a neo-traditional sound, Garth Brooks embraced all influences and created concerts that rivalled the biggest pop and rock artists.
Hank Williams
17th September 1923 - 1st January 1953
The legend of Hank Williams is beyond what most artists with a short career and tragic ending can hope for. Half a century later, Williams is still referenced and revered in country music. He set the bar impossibly high for modern country songwriters, and wrote some of the best country songs around.
Reba McEntire
28th March 1955 -
The most successful female artist of her generation - and most of the others, too - Reba McEntire is a country music treasure. Cited as an influence by almost every female country artist to follow in her wake, her songs embody the beauty of story telling, and the blend of genres that came together for country music's inception. With more than fifty Top 10 singles and more Number 1 country albums than any other female artist and the prestigious Kennedy Centre Honours for her lifetime of contributions to American culture, there's no one like Reba.
Loretta Lynn
14th April 1935 -
When it comes to origin stories, it doesn't get more country than Loretta Lynn. Born in a one room cabin in the coal-mining hills of Kentucky, married at age thirteen and a mother of four by eighteen, she went on to become one of the most influential country music artists of all time. Not only did she break down barriers and paved the way for every female singer who followed in her footsteps, but she gave a voice to women in her songwriting. By speaking her truth with her unique voice and perspective, she will go down in history as one of the most powerful Southern storytellers.
Vince Gill
12th April 1957 -
Equal parts talented musician and incredible vocalist, Vince Gill is one of the most critically acclaimed country music artists of all time. Having sold more than 26 million albums, his music has won the hearts of every true country music fan - including the late greats, Merle Haggard and John Prine. High praise, indeed.
Merle Haggard
6th April 1937 - 6th April 2016
With the exception of Hank Williams, Merle Haggard is arguably the most influential singer-songwriter in country music history. The California cowboy was a key figure in the Outlaw movement, alongside Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. His work often reflected his complicated life – his problems with the law, five marriages, six children and the complexities a life in the music business yielded. Merle was as country as country gets, proving you don't have to be from the South to be an icon in this genre.
Kenny Rogers
21st August 1938 - 20th March 2020
During his lengthy career, Kenny Rogers sold over 50 million albums in the United States alone. His duet with Dolly Parton, 'Islands In The Stream' is one of the most well known and beloved songs, and his versatility between genres meant that he may not be the first name you think of when you think of country music legends, but he certainly deserves his place in the hall of fame.
Emmylou Harris
2nd April 1947 -
14-time Grammy Award winner Emmylou Harris has enjoyed an impressive 40-year career as a leading figure in country music. She easily could have ventured into the folk and rock scene of the 60s and 70s, the heartache and loss she endured early in her career, seemingly helped her create the raw ballads that define country music. Not to mention that her Trio work with musical giants Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, was arguably one of the most important country collaborations.
George Strait
18th May 1952 -
According to Eric Church, 'Any song sung by George Strait is country at its best', and nobody will argue with that. Dubbed 'The King of Country', the Texan cowboy has become synonymous with 'real country'. While blending genre lines has given us some of the genres most successful hits, Strait kept it country - and it paid off. One of the most successful artists of all time - regardless of genre - Strait's power comes from western swing, honky-tonk traditions and songs that will stick with you for a lifetime.
Alan Jackson
17th October 1958 -
As a songwriter, recording artist, and performer, Alan Jackson brought traditional country music into the 21st century.​ A three-time Country Music Association (CMA) Entertainer of the Year and a Grand Ole Opry member since 1991, has sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and released 26 Billboard Number 1 country singles.
The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers were one of the most successful acts in popular music between 1957 and 1962. Only Elvis Presley and Pat Boone outsold them. Don and Phil Everly were the first consistently successful rock & roll act to come from Nashville. Together, they extended Nashville's sense of what was commercially possible. They took the country brother duet a step beyond their predecessors but the core of their sound remained country brother harmony.
Glen Campbell
22nd April 1936 - 8th August 2017
A gifted singer and accomplished guitarist, Glen Campbell became an international superstar with a string of pop and country hits released in the 1960s and 1970s. At his peak, Campbell hosted The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, a CBS-TV musical variety show, from 1968 to 1972. He also starred in several feature films, including True Grit (1969) with John Wayne.
Dolly Parton
19th January 1946
What would country music be without Dolly Parton? One shudders to think. The genre's biggest star came from humble beginnings in the Tennessee mountains, and has stayed true to her roots ever since. A pioneer for women in country music, Dolly Parton has done it all. From the cover of Playboy magazine to funding a COVID-19 Vaccine, starring in Hollywood movies and having her own theme park, Dolly Parton IS country music. Her songwriting defies logic by being of the highest quality, and existing in the thousands. She wrote 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' on the same day - and if that's not legendary talent, who knows what is.
Willie Nelson
29th April 1933
Singer-songwriter Willie Nelson is synonymous with "outlaw country". After doing away with the music industry conservatism of Nashville in the 1960s and 70s, he has gone on to write some of the most popular and memorable country songs of all time. Adding to his already impressive list of achievements, Nelson joined forces with Johnny Cash, Jennings and Kristofferson to form the country supergroup the Highwaymen.
The Carter Family
Last, but certainly not least, we have The Carter Family - A. P. Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter and Maybelle Addington Carter. Engraved into the Country Music Hall of Fame itself are the words: Will The Circle Be Unbroken? Popularised by the Carter Family, the song has become almost a slogan for country music. If you trace country music's lineage, it comes back to Maybelle, Sara and AP all those years ago. Country music's first band, they took old gospel hymns and hill songs and helped craft the genre we know and love today.
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