Thursday, March 28, 2013

Hall of Fame Announcement April 10

I know there has been lots of speculation, but it has been confirmed that the Country Music Hall of Fame's 2013 inductees will be announced on April 10. There is a lot of interest in the announcement as there are so many deserving and eligible candidates. Those include Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Oak Ridge Boys, Dottie West, The Browns, Ricky Skaggs and Hank Williams, Jr. The fans of Dottie West and The Browns have been very active in promoting those candidates. All those named above, along with the other finalists mentioned, are all deserving and I am sure if not this year, at some point all will make the Hall.

In looking at some of the comments on the blog regarding the Hall of Fame and the possiblility of a "mass induction", I can tell you that is not going to happen. While the last, and only mass induction took place over a decade ago and did get a lot of the backlog of candidates into the Hall, most of those associated with it were not happy at all. I don't think you will see a repeat.

As far as the leading candidates, it is not a stretch to say that those I named above are the favorites, although I would be surprised if Hank, Jr. or Ricky got elected. I think the "money" is on Alan Jackson in the modern category, while there are many who feel that Dottie West or The Browns get in as a veteran act. The interesting thing is how Kenny Rogers, Oak Ridge Boys and Ronnie Milsap are actually classified. They could be in either category.

I am sure between now and April 10 there will be lots of comments, but let's keep it real and to the point. We don't need to go on about who might be elected in 5 or 10 years. Let's focus on this year, either those mentioned or perhaps others that might be considered.

22 comments:

  1. So excited - the announcement is not yet posted on the Hall of Fame's website as I just came from there to here. I am hoping that the announcement will be streamed live on their website as it has been these last few years.

    I am good with any of the artists you have mentioned above, Byron. And if it is anyone else not mentioned, I'm good with them too. I am always thrilled for whoever it turns out to be going in, no matter who it is. It's the ultimate goal & prize. No begrudging - these people dedicate themselves to their craft & have pounded the highways & biways & internationally for years for their fans & when they become eligible that is what the voters should be voting on & nothing else. I read with disappointment how some people feel that Connie Smith "slipped into" the Hall of Fame. Huh & here I thought she was elected into the Hall of Fame because of her gorgeous voice. I know that the artists or close friends - husbands included - solicit votes - no different for the CMA's either. And most likely the ACM's. Hopefully she is now soliciting on her husband's behalf. Marty Stuart has been around for 40 years now - I'm thinking he is just as worthy of getting into the Hall of Fame as anyone else & as much as I really like Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, I would rather see Marty get in first. But again, whoever gets in, I will be VERY happy for.

    (Jeanene)

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  2. Kenny Rogers & Dottie West would make the perfect induction this year.

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  3. I don't see how anyone can object to any of the names Byron has mentioned. Yes, I would prefer some to others. But that's what the debate is always about, isn't it?

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  4. Byron:
    Thanks for this update. Alan Jackson before Milsap, Rogers & The Oaks..and Ricky for that matter. That is just not right. All I'm going to say.

    Dottie West, The Browns and Bobby Bare are the most overdue for the Veteran category.

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  5. I can hardly wait till April 10th.

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  6. Bill Anderson wrote today in his newsletter that he has been asked to participate in the Hall of Fame announcement on April 10. I think this gives me more of an idea who the veterans inductee will be.

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  7. Based on some of the comments that are starting to come out, I believe that Dottie West is not one of the inductees this year. I know there was a facebook site pushing her election and getting her accomplishments out there, but in reading it today, it almost sounds like they realize that it is not happening this year.

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  8. Regarding Bill Anderson's participation in the announcement, my thoughts went immediately to Buddy Killen. The two were closely associated. However I could be totally wrong and this could be a signal that the Browns will be inducted.

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  9. Buddy Killen would be logical, but there have been some involved in the ceremony who aren't necessarily that connected to a particular inductee. Ya never know.

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  10. Too bad if Dottie is not inducted this year. I attended the panel discussion on her career at the Hall of Fame last Saturday. I think anyone who heard the panelists speak would be convinced that her induction is overdue. The participants were Steve Wariner, Shelly West, Jeannie Seely and songwriter Red Lane.

    The event also reminded me of what a treasure Jeannie Seely is and how she is also worthy of induction.

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  11. If Dottie were to be inducted, Shelly would have known about it by now since she would be logical next of kin. If Shelly has not been contacted she probably has made that known to the facebook page and others which is likely how word has gotten out that she is not going in this year.

    Each honoree (or their heir) can select who announces their induction with the stipulation that the announcer already be a Hall member. That's why I believe Bill Anderson's participation points to a Buddy Killen election.

    Who would be a logical choice for the Browns? Perhaps Bill again since he is likely close to Jim Ed with both being Opry members. Maybe Little Jimmy Dickens if he is up to it.

    If Kenny Rogers is getting in, would Dolly do the honors?

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  12. My Final Predictions
    Buddy Killen The Browns And Alan Jackson(I Love Kenny Rogers With All My Heart But I Think He Will Go In From The Veteran Category Rather Than The Modern Category Once He Becomes Eligble From That Veteran Category Next Year

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  13. Some interesting thoughts there. Usually the inductees are notified about 2 weeks out so that everyone who needs to be there for the announcement can be there. Sometimes that is why the date of the announcement varies.

    And let's not kid ourselves. The inductees already know who they are and I would say, almost 100% that Bill knows what part he is going to play in the announcement. As in past years, I am always surprised that the secret is kept until the announcement, as so many people do find out prior to who is going to be named.

    For what it is worth, if Kenny is going in this year, it will be as the modern era inductee. As with Ronnie Milsap and the Oak Ridge Boys, you could make a case that all 3 could have been on the ballot this year in either category. It is always a fuzzy line between when their career actually started and when they achieved prominence (as the CMA likes to call it). I think one reason they do keep some of these people in the modern category longer is to give a better chance for those from the 50's and 60's to get in.

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  14. When Jean Shepard went in, the weekend before, she walked into Whisper's dressing room, looked at him, and said, "Thank you." He said something like, "For what?" Both had twinkles in their eyes.

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  15. My two cents (after taxes worth about a millionth of a yen...tops) is that Buddy Killen's induction is a no-brainer. I would be absolutely truly shocked if that doesn't happen. I can't think of anyone more highly regarded by most everyone in the music industry but in Nashville's business community at large. The Music Row roundabout is named in his honor and his untimely passing in 2006 is still mourned.

    The other categories are a bit more complicated. I'm not a fan of the obtuse and subjective "veteran" and "modern" labels. I honest feel like some of the "modern" inductees, while deserving, are still more of a marketing ploy to get more younger country music fans to buy museum tickets. I still feel like there are a number of pre-1950 performers and pioneers who should be honored but probably never will be because of the general public's short attention span (Bradley Kincaid, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Al Dexter, Elton Britt, Lulu Belle and Scotty, Charlie Poole and more).

    The Wilburn Brothers remain high on my list for their wide range of successes in the industry...and the fact that they might not be universally loved doesn't matter. The Hall of Fame should be about the career and its impact on the music industry and not a popularity contest.

    My picks in the "modern" category are between Ronnie Milsap and the Oak Ridge Boys. Going with simple numbers, Ronnie Milsap gets my nod: 8 CMA awards, 4 ACM awards (including their Pioneer Award), 6 Grammy awards and 40 #1 records between 1974 and 1989. THAT'S a Hall of Fame career in itself.

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  16. Barry, to explain the choices, I'd use a line a wonderful sportscaster, Lindsey Nelson, had when asked about debating whether Mel Allen or Red Barber was the greater announcer. He said, whoever you choose, you get a "sir." Well, no wrong choices here, near as I can tell.

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  17. Barry, I agree with your entire statement about the Wilburn Brothers. They made a lot of things happen from the late 50's to the mid 70's with booking, publishing, TV, songwriting and singing and they helped several people besides Loretta advance in the business. It is a shame that personalities and politics might play a role in who is and is not elected to the Hall of Fame.

    Jim
    Knightsville, IN

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  18. Hey Guys Out Of The 4 Modern Favorites For This Year Alan Jackson Ronnie Milsap Kenny Rogers And The Oaks Which One Of The 4 Is The Most Likely To Go In From That Modern Category This Year

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  19. What's wrong with you voters.Not electing pre-1950 stars when you know damn well ther just as important as the modern day stars.Or have you forgotten? DUHHH If it wasn't for them,we would not have the modern day stars of today.Get you butt in gear people,ELECT PRE 1950 COUNTRY STARS.Bradley Kincaid for one.

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  20. Have a mass induction of pre- 1950 country stars,say 7-10 people in 2013?

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  21. Well I'm still holding out a little hope for Dottie West, although it should have happened long ago this year would be perfect considering all the efforts that have been made to remember her this year with the exhibit, the panel discussion etc. But at least some effort has been made to get her name out there again. But I'll be very happy if The Browns are inducted this year it would be lovely since the three of them are still with us.

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