The ever-fickle and sometimes frustrating Country Music Hall of Fame has announced its selections for induction into the Hall, and though all four artists are deserving of the honor, I just can't help but scratch my head over who is still on the outside looking in.
First off, the 2010 selections: Don Williams, Ferlin Husky, Jimmy Dean and songwriter-producer Billy Sherrill.
Husky, who at 84 has been battling congestive heart failure and pneumonia, was pleased to finally receive country music's highest honor. Among Husky's biggest hits are "Gone" and "On the Wings of a Dove." "So, they're finally going to do it, are they?" he said. "Well, it's worth the wait."
Billy Sherrill ranks as one of country's all-time most powerful producers and Music Row executives, and among his major songwriting credits are "Stand by Your Man" and "I Don't Wanna Play House" (Tammy Wynette), "Almost Persuaded" (David Houston), "The Most Beautiful Girl" (Charlie Rich) and about a gazillion others. On making it into the Hall of Fame, Sherrill said, "I figured if it ever happened, it'd be when I'm in some lonely north Alabama graveyard. But I do think it's kind of neat."
Jimmy Dean ultimately became known as the king of morning sausage. But before that, especially in the early to mid-1960s, he had a string of high charting country hits, most notably "Big Bad John," which he wrote on the back of an airplane air sickness bag while traveling. "This has been a long time coming," Dean said. "I didn't think it would probably ever get here."
The usually quiet Don Williams declined comment.
But what about those still on the outside looking in? First and foremost, and not just because I work with him on a couple of nationally syndicated radio shows, what about Jim Ed Brown or his family group The Browns? On what planet did Jimmy Dean ever contribute more to country music than Jim Ed? And Jean Shepard? The Wilburn Brothers? Bobby Bare?
The list of slights is long, and until the ultra-secret society that determines just who is and isn't Hall-worthy makes a little more sense, it's going to remain hard taking them seriously.
Hank Williams, Jr? Hello? Ronnie Milsap? Reba McEntire? Tanya Tucker? The Oak Ridge Boys? The list is long of deserving artists who are still waiting their turn.
I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
Photo © MCA
Comments
As long as well known artist are still active, I’d hesitate to induct them into the hall. There are others that have paid many dues and should be considered first. Jean Shepard should be in but it has been hard for females to be considered. This should be corrected in the future. All of those you listed dererve to be in and probably will be in the near future!
There are many great country performers, both past and present. I feel that Nashville should make every attempt to recognize the artist/s when alive and so they can appreciate their contribution.
I personally enjoy live performances from these artists. Thanks to the internet – youtube and google, these performances can be downloaded for free. There is nothing better than spending an afternoon or evening, watching these live videos on my flat screen! As of the present I have downloaded 200 gigs of live performances.
i do think him and many more should be in they have worked had to get there
The fact that Jim Ed is still performing at a very high level is all the more reason that he should be inducted now. Check him out on youtube singing You Comb Her Hair. Smooth as sippin’ whiskey!
No doubt that all four mentioned as inductees deserve their place in the Hall of Fame. There are many more equally deserving. In defense of Jimmy Dean, his contribution is unquestionable. Jimmy had syndicated television shows in Washington, DC and in New York. He helped promote country music long before some of the others you mentioned. Besides that, Jimmy is a great guy and deserves the honor.
Charlie Frederick
All four mentioned are very deserving of the honor. In defense of Jimmy Dean, I will remind you that his syndicated television shows from Washington, DC and New York helped to promot country at a time when it was needed. Besides that, Jimmy is a great guy and there is nothing phony about this man. I met Jimmy one time when he was vacationing in Berkeley Springs, WV. I can still see him gazing across Cacapon State Park lake one early morning while he was sitting on the high dive board. Jimmy was very friendly and still is….
Charlie Frederick
Although each one of these inductees is worthy, I am absolutely thrilled to see Don Williams in reciept of this honor. In my opinion, Williams’ has never received the accolades his exceptional talent deserves. Perhaps Williams himself, quietly resisted exalted status within the genre, and appears to continue in that manner, evidenced by his choice to decline comment on this honor. I, for one, want to hear what the man has to say, yet, I respect an artist/performer, who doesn’t feed in to the trappings of fame.
Don Williams is an enigma, but his contributions to country music, are priceless. Hall of fame – good job – right choice!
What about David Allan Coe and all the great songs he wrote? Such as You Never Even Call Me and If That Aint Country?
BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO…Many need the …I contributed.., thank yous, fan support.
I enjoyed your article. Don Williams has always been my hero!! Country music has been dead for many years now when the radios quit playing entertainers like Don Williams. I think the Country Music Hall of Fame is made up of judges who believe people like Taylor Swift are country!!
How times have changed. I guess that’s why artists like Ricky Skaggs don’t know where they belong anymore — it’s hard to tell what country music is!!
Finally !!! That didn’t complete the list, but those four sure help…..Don’t forget (along with Ferlin) Ms Jean Shepard was the othe half of “Dear John.”
Please read my new book “Little Known Facts About Country Music” 35 years in the making…209-656-9555
I am sure we can all think of a few names that we feel should be added but little that the hierarchy of country music does surprises me.Some of the acts on the awards show are not country by a long way.
By the way Phyllis, I don’t think DAC wrote “You never even called me by my name”.A great, although controversial, artist just the same
Being a Brit we don’t have a great Country Music scene over here so I have to get my “Fix” in June by a visit to the CMA Fanfest and I always include a visit to the Hall of Fame. There just seems to be so many names missing from that wall, and I can’t think of too many of today’s
“Country Stars” that will ever deserve a place, All the best from over the pond
I agree with the comments…………..to an extent. I agree that all of your choices for nominees are arguably worthy of induction in their own right,but there are also many more who have paid their “just dues” and haven’t been inducted. As with Ferlin Husky,I personably believe that he/she should display their worthiness of recognition and induction by at least a few years of longevity and not just a flash in the pan over night wonders like is being displayed today.