When the Country Music Hall-Of-Fame opened in 1961, they had a policy of allowing one new candidate into this prestigious alumni every year (except for 1963 when the elected no one) until they finally found their marbles and began electing multiple inductees per year in 1996. The CMHOF began selecting three acts per year except for 2001 when they “caught up” and inducted long overdue legends Webb Pierce, the Louvin Brothers and others. And while we are certainly at a high point of country music popularity across the US and beyond, there are a number of acts from the past that should be considered for election immediately.And while I have absolutely no say, I would like to list this week’s top ten list- The All-Time Best Music Acts Deserving To Be In The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame. (How’s that for a mouthful?)
10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits Take Me Home, Rocky Mountain High and Thank God I’m A Country Boy are sing-along standards.
9. Don Williams- Singer of seven #1’s and great songs like Tulsa Time and I Belive In You that will span generations, he deserves to be in.
8. Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen filmsAs a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.
7. Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. The Devil Went Down To Georgia is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.
6. Ronnie Milsap- One of the top recording artists of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ronnie Milsap is credited with forty number-one songs on the country charts, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty. 40. Amazing career.
5. Hank Williams Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.
4. Oak Ridge Boys- While their history dates back much further, they had a run of twelve years from 1977 to 1989 where they were THE band until they gave way to Alabama. Can anyone NOT sing all the words to their biggest hit Elvira?
3. Reba McEntire- Her box set that came out this week proves it beyond a shadow of the date- 50 hit singles that are some of this generation’s top songs.
2. Kenny Rogers- I’ve already made my case here. They’ve waited too long already for The Gambler.
1. Garth Brooks- He’s the youngest of the bunch but has done more single-handedly to raise the popularity of country music more than any other artist since Johnny Cash. And that’s pretty good company. With more albums sold than any other artist EVER, he’s a no-brainer.
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