Country Music Hall of Fame

Several weeks ago, when I was out of commission, my friend Kyle at Saving Country Music (a site that I highly recommend), did his annual post regarding the Country Music Hall of Fame. While I don't always agree with his predictions and thoughts, he offers some good insight into the voting. I know he posted this several weeks ago, but I thought I would share and see what opinions are out there.

It’s that time of year again to consider who might be in the running for the precious few spots as the newest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. A secret committee commissioned by the CMA is going over their final ballots and whittling down the names to the few who will make it into one of country music’s most hallowed institutions.

Unlike other Halls of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame tries to keep the institution distinguished by letting only a few names in each year. This way a bad name never slips through the process, hypothetically. This has also caused a glut of good names being left out in recent years, stirring controversy in itself. But it also keeps the Hall of Fame honor exclusive and distinguished.

The Rules

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductees are selected through a committee process appointed by the Country Music Association (CMA). Since 2010, the selection process has been split up into three categories. 1) Modern Era – Eligible for induction 20 years after they first achieve “national prominence.” 2) Veterans Era – Eligible for induction 40 years after they first achieve “national prominence.” 3) Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician active prior to 1980 – Rotates every 3 years. If there is a tie in voting in any category, two names can be selected, as we saw in 2021.

With non-performer Joe Galante selected in 2022, and songwriter Bob McDill selected in 2023, it would be a recording and/or touring musician selected in 2024. Though this could also be a performer, the point of this category is to highlight someone primarily known as a musician, and someone who may not get into the Hall of Fame otherwise.

Another important rule to note is that no candidate is eligible for the Hall of Fame a year after they pass away. This is to avoid sympathy votes in the aftermath of an artist dying, so check the 2023 In Memoriam List for those who would be ineligible. In recent years, this has accelerated artists being inducted before they die to avoid the one-year penalty, and to honor them while they’re still living.

Potential Modern Era Inductees

2023 is the year when we legitimately need to begin thinking about artists that many country fans may consider more “modern” than their tastes allow to be considered legitimate contenders for the Hall of Fame—Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, and more. Dwight Yoakam and Clint Black feel like old timers in the category. They’re also top contenders.

• Last Year’s Modern Era Inductee: Patty Loveless

• Saving Country Music Prediction: Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Alison Krauss

• Saving Country Music’s Picks: Dwight Yoakam, Clint Black.

Clint Black: If it wasn’t for his career’s disappearing act, his name would be a no brainier for the Hall of Fame. Instead, Clint Black’s impact is commonly overlooked, and unfairly so. Nobody was more successful in country music in the ’90s decade than Clint Black, save for Garth Brooks. A whopping thirteen #1 singles including his first four consecutively, and a total of 29 Top 10 hits puts Clint Black in an elite class in regard to numbers. Clint Black also kept it (mostly) country and was always seen as a good guy in the industry.

When Clint Black’s wife Lisa Hartman had their first child in May of 2001, he decided to take three years off to enjoy his young family. Aside from “Spend My Time” in 2003 that peaked at #16, the rest of Clint’s singles all stayed outside the Top 40 after the hiatus. “It ended up not being a smart career move, but it was a real smart dad move. … I wouldn’t go back and try to do anything for my career in exchange for that,” Black says. It shouldn’t cost him a Hall of Fame induction either.

Dwight Yoakam: You’d think with 25 million records sold; Dwight Yoakam should definitely be considered for Hall of Fame distinction. But being based in California as opposed to Nashville may put him a bit out of the purview of voters—an always important factor. Yoakam’s greatest contribution beyond the gaudy sales numbers comes in the influence he had in country music in his time, and that he still wields today over generations of performers. Dwight Yoakam made country music cool to millions, just like Hall of Famer Buck Owens and other Bakersfield legends did in their time.

Dwight’s also not showing any signs of slowing down and has earned additional stripes as a country music ambassador through his acting career. With his own SiriusXM station where he’s hanging out with Post Malone, it feels like Yoakam has finally graduated from a future hopeful for the Hall of Fame to a bona fide front runner.

Kenny Chesney: Though it may feel like Kenny Chesney is more of a current artist than a Hall of Fame candidate, he was officially eligible for the Hall of Fame starting in 2015. Chesney released his first major label album with BNA in 1995, and had two Top 10 singles, “Fall In Love” and “All I Need to Know.” With 4 out of 5 CMA Entertainer of the Year Awards between 2004 and 2008, 32 #1 hits, and over 30 million albums sold, Chesney’s resume for the Hall of Fame is undeniable.

Consider this: Kenny Chesney has been country music’s only active and consistent stadium draw for going on 20 years. From the mid to late aughts before Taylor Swift came onto the scene, Chesney was far and away the biggest artist in country music. Possibly the only thing keeping Kenny Chesney back is that he feels like a current artist as opposed to an aged-out performer that deserves to be venerated, even if his last couple of singles stalled outside the Top 10. But there’s no denying Kenny is getting in, and if not this year, then in the next year or two.

Alison Krauss: There may be no other single performer who did more for spreading the love and appreciation for bluegrass throughout the ’90s and 2000s than Alison Krauss. The solo albums, the work with Union Station, the collaborations with Robert Plant and others have made her one of the most critically acclaimed artists of our generation, with enough commercial success to also make her a household name.

Krauss has won 27 Grammy Awards, putting her only behind Beyoncé, Quincy Jones and classical conductor Georg Solti as the most-awarded artist in Grammy history. She has also received 42 nominations. This includes a Grammy win for the all-genre Album of the Year Rising Sand with Robert Plant. Krauss was also critical to the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, as well as the soundtrack to Cold Mountain. She’s also a National Medal of Arts winner. Krauss most certainly has the resumé to be a Hall of Famer.

Tim McGraw: McGraw never had that consecutive string of years when he was the biggest thing in country music like other Hall of Fame inductees, but he has shown a longevity in his career that few others have matched. McGraw’s had 27 #1 hits in a span covering over 20 years. This includes some universally recognized hits within there like “Don’t Take The Girl,” “Live Like You Were Dying,” and “Humble and Kind” written by Lori McKenna. McGraw also won the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year in 2001.

Similar to Kenny Chesney, the question is if Tim McGraw is still considered a current artist. His singles continue to perform well here three decades into his career. Some Modern Era nominees may not want the distinction yet, almost like it symbolizes the end of their popular career while McGraw is still cutting hit radio singles. McGraw is getting in, but voters may wait a couple more years before making it official.

Shania Twain – Make no mistake about it, Shania Twain will be in the Country Music Hall of Fame someday. During her era, nobody was a bigger commercial success except for Garth Brooks. With over 100 million records sold, she is the best-selling woman in country music of all time, and one of the bestselling music artists in all of music, period. She is the undisputed queen of country pop, and though traditionalists love to shake their little angry fists at her for ushering in the pop era of country, her influence is undeniable.

Something to always consider when talking about the Hall of Fame is proximity to voters. As a Canadian living in Switzerland, Shania may not be in the best position to lobby for her spot in the rotunda. But surrounding her new album and new tour, Shania has been trying to secure these kinds of accolades. In 2022 she was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame is sure to be next on her list, even if voters continue to discount her due to her moves toward pop.

Trisha Yearwood: It’s the timeless songs, and how Yearwood was one of the most important women throughout the ’90s that makes her an eligible candidate for the Hall of Fame. Her debut single “She’s In Love with the Boy,” is a bonafide country music standard, and one of five #1’s she enjoyed. Her 1991 self-titled album became the first debut female country album to sell one million copies, and has since gone double platinum. Yearwood followed that up with “Walkaway Joe,” and a Platinum sophomore album. Trisha’s also had five #2 songs, including the country version of “How Do I Live,” and a total of 18 Top 10 hits in the 90s.

Trisha Yearwood definitely has the Hall of Fame numbers. It probably also doesn’t hurt that she’s married to a big voice in the Hall of Fame voting room and an inductee himself in Garth Brooks.

Martina McBride: With five #1 singles, and twenty Top 20 singles, Martina McBride has comparable numbers to other recent Modern Era inductees and current candidates, even if they were earned while being more of a country pop crossover star as opposed to more loyal to the country genre.

Nonetheless, country was loyal to Martina McBride, bestowing her with four CMA Female Vocalist of the Year awards, and nominating her for 14 Grammys to go with her 14 million records sold. Similar to Trisha Yearwood, McBride helped define ’90s country, but didn’t push it completely into the pop realm like Shania Twain. It wasn’t just the numbers when it comes to Martina. It was the voice, and the emotion it carried that makes Martina McBride a viable Hall of Fame candidate.

Travis Tritt: Since two of his brethren from the “Class of ’89” are in (Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson), as well as his “No Hat” buddy in Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt will start to be much more heavily considered in the next few years. There’re probably still a few names ahead of him, and since his commercial career cooled off somewhat quickly, his induction ceremony may still be some years away. It also probably doesn’t help that Travis Tritt has been one to speak about the ills of the country music industry, which may draw the ire of some voters. Tritt is also divisive politically.

And why not consider Tritt, with two Grammy Awards, four CMAs, five #1 singles, and 19 Top 10’s? Travis Tritt helped put the drive into country, both sonically and commercially.

Other Potential Modern Era Inductees:

Steve Wariner – With a surprising nine #1 singles throughout the 80’s, Wariner is not one of those flashy characters that immediately jumps out at you as a Hall of Fame contender, but he quietly put together a Hall of Fame-caliber career. He’s also a guy who hangs around the right places in Nashville to make sure selection committee members don’t forget about him, so don’t be surprised if his name pops up as an inductee.

Toby Keith – Officially eligible because his first success was in 1993, Keith is probably on the outside-looking-in for the next few years since he didn’t start to peak until the 2000’s, and he remains a fairly controversial character.

Lorrie Morgan – With 6 million records sold worldwide and 40 charting singles, she’s a contender for the future for sure. Morgan helped get her former husband Keith Whitley in, so she clearly has the ear of voters.

John Michael Montgomery – Few assembled as memorable of a list of hits in the ’90s as John Michael Montgomery. “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident),” “I Swear,” “I Can Love You Like That,” and “Be My Baby Tonight” all hit #1, and deservedly so from one of the era’s most passionate singers.

Faith Hill, Tracy Lawrence, Brad Paisley, Keith Urban, and The (Dixie) Chicks are some other names that are officially eligible.

Potential Veterans Era Inductees

The last couple of years, both the Veteran’s Era inductees felt like Shoo In’s with Hank Williams Jr. and Tanya Tucker. Both felt like they had waited well past their time to be inducted. Now with both of them out of the way, the field feels much more open, though the list of deserving inductees perhaps has never been so long.

• Last Year’s Inductee: Tanya Tucker

• Saving Country Music Prediction:  John Anderson, Johnny Horton

• Saving Country Music’s Picks: Johnny Horton, Maddox Brothers & Rose, The Stanley Brothers

John Anderson: One of the most beloved living characters in country music, John Anderson was never a hit machine, but he had a solid mainstream career for some 20 years, staring in the late 70s, and still found success into the late 90s. The John Anderson story is just too good for the Hall of Fame to pass up. He started as a construction worker building the roof on the new Grand Ole Opry House in the ’70s, peering down at the stage, hoping someday he could play there.

“Straight Tequila Night,” “Swingin’” and “Wild and Blue” are bonafide country standards, and they may have never been without John Anderson’s voice. One of the most unique singers in country history, his voice was once described as being run through a volume pedal. Knowing how to put the emphasis on the right notes is what has made Anderson so legendary. It also helps that he’s enjoyed a resurgence in his career as of late, with a tribute album released by Dan Auerbach’s Easy Eye Sound in 2022.

The Maddox Brothers & Rose: The Maddox Brothers & Rose set the very foundations for country and rock music in America, along with The Bakersfield Sound and California Country at large. Their flamboyant stage dress inspired by the cowboys of the silver screen directly sparked the Nudie Suit craze in country music that is still en vogue today, and directly inspired Elvis Presley’s stage costumes. Rose Maddox was also one of the very first successful women in country music and opened up the role of women as country entertainers for generations to come.

If groups like The Jordanaires and The Sons of the Pioneers are in The Hall, certainly The Maddox Brothers & Rose should be. Their worthiness for the Hall of Fame was underscored in the 2019 Ken Burns country music documentary where the group was featured prominently. Unfortunately, this band getting in still feels more like a wish than a potential reality. 

Johnny Horton – One of the most recognizable country artists from the ’50s and early ’60s, since he died in 1960 in an automobile accident, he never had the opportunity to fulfill the promise of his career. But many believe that what Johnny Horton contributed before he passed was Hall of Fame worthy, similar to Keith Whitley and Patsy Cline.

Horton’s greatest contributions were his historical songs that have gone on to become mainstays of the American music songbook. “The Battle of New Orleans” won the 1960 Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording, won the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2001, and was named one of the RIAA’s “Songs of the Century.” Other songs like “Sink the Bismark” and “North to Alaska” hold great historical significance. Horton is already a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Hall of Fame.

Ralph Stanley / The Stanley Brothers: Ralph Stanley and The Stanley Brothers continue to be a glaring omission in the ranks of Hall of Fame members. Ralph Stanley was a seminal figure in the emergence of bluegrass in both the original era, and during its second wind after the success of O Brother Where Art Thou. Universally beloved inside Nashville and beyond, a former Grand Ole Opry member, and a powerful name to represent the bluegrass side of country, Ralph Stanley would be a strong pick few would quibble with and is well past due.

Ralph Stanley started his musical career with his brother Carter Stanley who passed away in 1966. The two brothers spent two decades together as performers. The Stanley Brothers as a pair would also be a strong Hall of Fame pick, and the family of The Stanley Brothers have been advocating they go in together.

Johnny Paycheck: For many years it’s felt like a fairytale that Johnny Paycheck would ever get into the Country Music Hall of Fame. But as other guys with checkered pasts have seen their musical legacies supersede these concerns and finally see induction, it has moved Paycheck further up in contention to the point now where he’s been rumored to have made it as one of the finalists for consideration. If Jerry Lee Lewis can get in, so can Paycheck. 

Johnny Paycheck (real name Donald Eugene Lytle) was never a hit machine. He only had one #1, but it was a massive one in “Take This Job and Shove It”—which might be one of the most recognized country songs of all time. “She’s All I Got” was also a big hit. But similar to inductees like Keith Whitley and Marty Stuart, it is the intangibles, and the work with others that make Paycheck Hall of Fame worthy. While playing bass and steel guitar for George Jones, it’s said that Paycheck helped influence George’s singing (some dispute this). Either way, Johnny Paycheck is synonymous with country music, and seems like a glaring omission in the Hall of Fame. 

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers: With 33 Top 40 singles, 15 Top 5’s and three #1’s, Larry Gatlin likely accrued the numbers throughout the 70’s and the 80’s to be a Hall of Fame contender, not to speak of the influence he wielded in country music through that period, both as a solo artist, and with brothers Steve and Rudy. But also bolstering Larry Gatlin’s case is he’s one of these “men about town” types that seems to be at every function and gala in the country music realm, is active in the community, and is willing to help keep the legacy of country music alive, which the Hall of Fame selection committee often rewards. Larry Gatlin is a name that is hard to forget, and rumors have had his name on the final ballot over the last few years.

Linda Ronstadt: It could be easy to cast off Linda Ronstadt as a legitimate candidate for being a country artist who eventually crossed over into pop and rock. But few paid their dues as much as Linda did early in her career, including her years in the Stone Poneys, her debut solo album in 1969, Hand Sown…Home Grown, 1970’s Silk Purse that included cover songs of “Lovesick Blues” and “Mental Revenge,” and her 1972 self-titled album where she recorded “Crazy Arms” and “I Fall To Pieces.” Even when she achieved her breakout pop rock success, Linda Ronstadt was always honest about the genre and approach of her music, and then returned to country in the groundbreaking “Trio” project with Hall of Famers Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.

Other Veterans Era-eligible artists may deserve an induction more than Ronstadt at the moment due to the crowded backlog. But with the wild way the Veterans Era is picked, don’t be surprised if she ends up as an inductee in the coming years. She has been rumored to have made it onto the final ballot recently.

Eddie Rabbitt: Aside from maybe Gary Stewart, the case could be made that Eddie Rabbitt is the most wrongfully overlooked star in country music history. Gary only had one #1 song in his career though. Eddie Rabbitt had 20 of them, and 34 total Top 10 hits, most of which he wrote himself. And all 34 of Rabbitt’s Top 10 hits came in a row, one after another, between 1976’s “Drinkin’ My Baby (Off My Mind)” and 1990 “Runnin’ With The Wind.” Eddie Rabbitt’s career wasn’t just accomplished, it was downright Hall of Fame worthy. But you never hear Eddie Rabbitt’s name brought up in the context of the Hall of Fame. Actually, you barely ever hear his name at all, in part because he passed away at the relatively young age of 56. But Eddie Rabbitt definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame discussion.

Gram Parsons: Gram’s inclusion in Hall of Fame consideration is always a topic of great discussion. In 2013 there was a greater push than ever to induct him, with influential country music writer Chet Flippo personally making the case for Parsons. But it wasn’t meant to be, and it may be many years before it is, especially with the current backlog in the Veterans Era. But his name is always in the field for this accolade and looking at the influence Gram had turning on millions of rock and roll fans to the importance and coolness of country music, it always should be.

Other Potential Veterans Era Inductees:

Vern Gosdin (Petition) – “The Voice” has to be considered a strong candidate in the long term, but the log jam in front of him may have to break before he’s given serious consideration.

Earl Thomas Conley (Petition) – It’s easy to forget just how big Conley was in the ’80s. He had 18 #1 hit songs, and a string where 19 consecutive songs either went #1 or #2. Songs Conley wrote were also recorded by Conway Twitty, Mel Street, and others. 

Lynn Anderson: Lynn Anderson and Dottie West were the two ladies that lead the field for female veteran inductees for many years. Now that Dottie is in, it moves Lynn one step closer. It’s only the strong backlog in front of Lynn that makes it seem difficult for her to get the nod in 2024. But with the continued movement to be inclusive to women, Lynn and other women will benefit from elevated consideration.

Rosanne Cash- Folks sometimes forget just how big Rosanne Cash got in the ’80s with ten #1 hits, and a huge influence on the genre at the time. She’s not just Johnny Cash’s daughter, or an Americana icon. Rosanne Cash could be a legitimate Hall of Famer in her own right.

Mickey Gilley – With 42 Top 40 singles and the role he played during the Urban Cowboy era, Mickey should be considered a contender.

Gene Watson – With five #1’s across country and Gospel and 76 total charted singles, Gene Watson was an understated superstar, and the fact that he continues to remain active in trying to keep both is own legacy and the legacy of country music alive makes him a name worth considering.

Crystal Gayle – Loretta Lynn’s sister and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” singer has fans and allies in the industry and expect her name to be bandied about for the Hall of Fame in the coming years.

Jimmy Martin – You might have to put Ralph Stanley and the Stanley Brothers in before Jimmy Martin gets considered. His personal antics might also hold him back as well. But the “King of Bluegrass” should be put in eventually.

Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers: Perhaps a long shot, or at least until the Veteran’s Era backlog is cleared, brothers-in-Outlaw-country-arms Bobby Bare and “Cowboy” Jack Clement were inducted over the last decade, so many the proprietor of Hillbilly Central will get his due in the coming years.

John Hartford

The Bellamy Brothers

Johnny Rodriguez

June Carter Cash

John Denver

David Allan Coe

Gary Stewart

Jack Greene

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Skeeter Davis

Donna Fargo

Slim Whitman

Wanda Jackson

Wynn Stewart – (Petition)

Jimmy C. Newman

Sammi Smith

Jeannie Seely

George Hamilton IV

The Wilburn Brothers

Leroy Van Dyke

Stonewall Jackson

Asleep at the Wheel

Boxcar Willie

Potential Recording / Touring Musician Inductees

Last inductee(s) – 2021 – Eddie Bayers (drummer) and Pete Drake (steel guitar) (Note: two inductees were chosen due to a tie in voting)

Saving Country Music’s Picks – Don Rich, Ralph Mooney, Buddy Emmons

The rotating category is always the hardest to predict where voters will go. But what we’ve known about the “recording/touring” musician’s category over the years is it dramatically favors the recording musicians over the touring musicians, where side players hat some consider superstars all on their own often get overlooked for the studio musician who has close ties to Nashville’s social circles. Let’s hope this year that touring musicians are at least given equal consideration.

Don Rich – There was arguably never a side player more important to a superstar than Don Rich was to Buck Owens. As a guitar player who could pull off those steel guitar bends while standing up, all while turning in spectacularly tight harmony lines that were so critical to the Buck Owens and Bakersfield Sound, a strong case could be made that Don Rich should be in the Country Music Hall of Fame on his own right as a performer. At the least he should be inducted as a musician.

Ralph Mooney – Arguably one of the most important musicians to ever play steel guitar, he enjoyed a long and prolific career, first in Bakersfield playing for Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and Merle Haggard, and then becoming the long-time steel player for Waylon Jennings. Marty Stuart and others consider him the most important steel guitar player in country music of all time.

Buddy Emmons – Emmons’ work with “Little” Jimmy Dickens is where he first began to be recognized at large for his steel guitar prowess. Later Buddy Emmons played with two of the most legendary backing bands in country music: Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours, and Ray Prices’ Cherokee Cowboys. Afterwards Buddy joined his old Cherokee Cowboy buddy Roger Miller. Buddy Emmons not only contributed to the sound to the steel guitar, but the design and manufacture of the instrument. In 1956, Emmons joined with Shot Jackson to develop the now legendary “Sho-Bud” pedal steel guitar.

Paul Franklin – Paul Franklin is well-recognized as the one of the most important steel guitar players and musicians of the current era. Having credits on over 500 recordings, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 2000, and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019. He has been nominated for the CMA’s Musician of the Year and incredible 31 times, though he’s never won it.

Mac McAnally – Ever year between 2008 and 2018, guitar player Mac McAnally won the CMA Musician of the Year except for 2016. McAnally’s case is also helped by his solo career as a performer, his significant credits as a songwriter and producer, and his well-liked nature. He would be a pick that would go in as a musician but be recognized for so much more.

Mark O’Connor – World-class, world-renown fiddle player and violinist who won the CMA’s Musician of the Year every year from 1991 to 1996. Revered in the world of bluegrass, though reviled by some for his opinionated nature, he is considered by many as the greatest fiddle player of our time.

Lloyd Green – Seminal steel guitar player during the Countrypolitan era who played on so many of the classic hits.

Mickey Raphael – May be a little young for this distinction yet, but his harmonica is one of the most immediately-identifiable sounds in country music, and he is incredibly prolific, regularly performing on the records of some of country music’s newest independent artists.

Sam Bush – One of the fathers of Newgrass, but also an extremely accomplished and prolific session musician in Nashville for decades mostly on mandolin and fiddle.

Jerry Douglas – Dobro player extraordinaire that has a massive list of album credits on major country music releases to go along with his storied career in bluegrass.

Redd Volkaert – A living legend who is still making faces smile, he was seminal to the sound of Merle Haggard and many others, and still regularly engages in session work and live performance.

Jimmy Capps – Known as “The Man in Back,” Capps was one of the most renown sidemen in country history. Along with playing in the Opry house band, he played on iconic recordings such as “Stand By Your Man” by Tammy Wynette, “He Stopped Loving Her Today” by George Jones, George Strait’s “Amarillo By Morning,” and “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers.

Byron Berline – From a genuine Bill Monroe Bluegrass Boy, to being flown out to California to record with The Rolling Stones, to having folks like Vince Gill and the Turnpike Troubadours show up to pay tribute to him in a time of need, Byron Berline did it all. He was an Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer, National Fiddler Hall of Famer, three-time National Fiddle Champion, and three-time Grammy nominee as well.

Drummers Paul English (Willie Nelson), W.S. “Fluke” Holland (Johnny Cash), and Richie Albright (Waylon Jennings) were three of the most important to ever hold the position in country music.

Jesse McReynolds, Tony Rice, and J.D. Crowe are all names to also consider but may be considered more as performers than the pure studio/touring musicians this category was created for.

There you have his thoughts. Some interesting analysis