Reba McEntire announced this morning that Brooks and Dunn, Ray Stevens and Jerry Bradley would be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this October. Every year, the Country Music Hall of Fame inducts one artist from the Modern Era, one artist from the Veteran’s Era, and one non-performing individual who has made significant contributions to the music industry.
Brooks and Dunn: Brooks and Dunn is being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame as this year’s artist from the Modern Era. In order to be eligible, the artist has to have been well-known in music for at least 20 years. Both Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn had released music as solo artists in the 1980s. However, they didn’t rise to superstar status until they were signed as the duo Brooks and Dunn to Arista Nashville in 1991. As Brooks and Dunn, they have recorded 11 studio albums. They have had 20 number one hits and 19 top 10 hits. In addition, Brooks and Dunn have won 26 Country Music Association awards and 17 Academy of Country Music awards. They have also won two Grammy awards.
Ray Stevens: Ray Stevens is being inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame as this year’s artist from the Veteran’s Era. In order to be eligible, the artist chosen has to have been well-known in music for at least 45 years. Stevens began recording for Warner Brothers in 1970 and released his song “Everything Is Beautiful” during 1970 as well. Stevens won a Grammy award for “Everything Is Beautiful” and his song “Misty” also won a Grammy award in 1976. He is also well-known for other songs including “Love Lifted Me,” “Gitarzan,” and “The Streak.”
Jerry Bradley: Jerry Bradley is the non-performing person being inducted in the Class of 2019 of the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. Bradley was hand-picked by Chet Atkins in 1970 to take over as the A&R Director at RCA Records. During his time at RCA, he signed many artists including Alabama. While he was at RCA Records, “Wanted! The Outlaws,” which featured Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Coulter and Tompall Glaser, became the first country album to go platinum.
Rick Amburgey is an experienced journalist and a country music fan. He can be contacted at Twitter at @ViewsCountry.