Country Music Hall of Fame Sets 2022 Inductee Announcement
The Country Music Association will be announcing the 2022 inductee class to the Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, May 17th at 10:00 a.m. Central from the Hall of Fame rotunda. Hall of Fame inductees Brooks & Dunn will be hosting the announcement, and it will be live streamed on the CMA’s YouTube Channel, and here on Saving Country Music (see below).
Commonly announced in the spring, there was some wonder whether the CMA would delay the announcement this year to the summer after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the regular rhythms of the process. The 2021 class of The Judds, Ray Charles, and musicians Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake wasn’t announced until August 16th, and they were just formally inducted on May 1st.
At least three new inductees will be announced in three distinct 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.
With two musicians being inducted in 2021 due to a tie, it would be a non-performer in 2022 in the rotating category. Though this could be someone culturally important to country music like the Saving Country Music recommendations of journalist Chet Flippo, or clothier Nudie Cohn, it’s likely to be a label executive, or someone similar from the country music inner circle.
Since the Country Music Hall of Fame process is secretive, we do not know who is being considered for induction. Saving Country Music’s prediction for the Modern Era inductee includes Trisha Yearwood, Keith Whitley, or Martina McBride. Veteran’s Era prediction includes Tanya Tucker, Jerry Lee Lewis, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, or Crystal Gayle.
To see a full run down of potential 2022 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees, CLICK HERE.
May 12, 2022 @ 12:57 pm
Let the fun and cryin’ begin. Whitley fans, get after it. You never disappoint.
May 16, 2022 @ 7:12 am
He’s on the Ballot. I confirmed this with an elector who told me in confidence. Like it or not he will get in. If not this year, very soon. I personally have no issues with it.
May 16, 2022 @ 8:38 am
David B,
Who’s on the ballot this year for the Hall of Fame in the Veterans and Modern categories and What are your predictions for the 2022 Hall of Fame inductees?.
May 16, 2022 @ 5:46 pm
I am not an elector so I officially do not know who is on the ballot.
However, if I had to guess who will be elected it would lay between the following-
Veteran – Lynn Anderson, The Gatlins, Crystal Gayle, Jerry Lee Lewis, or Tanya Tucker
Modern – Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, or Keith Whitley
Non-performer – Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase, Les Leverett, Bob Kingsley, Allen Reynolds, or Keith Stegall
May 12, 2022 @ 2:34 pm
Here come the comments that completely ignore “Whitleys” nearly fourteen years in bluegrass music. Several of those singing lead with two of the biggest groups of that era.
May 12, 2022 @ 3:23 pm
No doubt will be Whoopie Goldberg. Not getting my hopes up, we can’t watch the inductions anyway.
May 12, 2022 @ 4:44 pm
Broke Not Woke,
For the life of me I cannot understand why these are closed off. I would like to hear the speeches of the inductees. Maybe someone can shed some light on that.
May 12, 2022 @ 5:12 pm
You’re referring to the actual induction. They stream the nominations of inductees every year on YouTube. He may have forgotten to provide a link to that or didn’t clarify. I’ve watched it many times.
May 12, 2022 @ 5:15 pm
Yes, I even embedded an actual player in the body of this article where people can see it. But officially, it’s the Medallion Ceremony where artists are inducted. This is just the announcement, and much more informal.
May 12, 2022 @ 6:08 pm
You are correct Convict. I did mean the actual induction.
May 12, 2022 @ 5:34 pm
Am hoping but not expecting someone truly “veteran” will go in like Jerry Lee Lewis or Wanda Jackson. Tanya was so huge in the 90’s she could qualify for Modern Era as much as veteran.
The HOF really needs to at least put “pioneer” (as in pre-1960) and “deceased” in the rotating categories (the latter actually was such a category back in the 70’s and 80’s) because there’s so many deserving people who have been ignored for decades and as time goes on the odds go down big time that they will ever get in.
Lynn Anderson’s failure to get in is particularly outrageous given how huge she was in her era (as big as Loretta and Tammy for many years). Stonewall Jackson and Freddie Hart were also top stars and they lived into their nineties which gave the HOF many chances to elect them while among the living but hardcore country acts like those guys have rarely been elected in the last decade.
May 12, 2022 @ 9:41 pm
Not that I disagree with any of those three getting in, but Lynn’s and Freddie’s hit years were limited to a fairly short span. They had long careers, but about 6 solid years in the early to mid/late 70s is a pretty short run. What has kept Stonewall out is probably all politics. Remember that he sued the Grand Ole Opry. The Powers That Be in Nashville probably decided he wouldn’t get in while he was alive. Webb Pierce rubbed some people the wrong way too, and he didn’t get in until well after he died. I don’t know who Johnny Horton pissed off though. He’s been dead for over 60 years and still can’t get in the HoF.
May 13, 2022 @ 4:28 am
rob bush,
Man I hear ya on Johnny Horton. That guy is one of my all-time favs. He gets unfairly typecast as The Battle of New Orleans guy, and in that regard perhaps considered more of a war song novelty act.( Sink the Bismarck, Johnny reb) But a deep dive into his catalog reveals some brilliant early Honky-Tonkin Rockabilly. For me, Honky-Tonk Hardwood Floor, Wild One, I’m Comin’ Home, Ole Slewfoot, Golden Rocket, One Woman Man are essentials. He died young unfortunately, and maybe that’s a reason why he is overlooked.
May 14, 2022 @ 10:56 pm
Johnny Horton was a Louisiana Hayride performer. The Opry and Nashville did not care for any Hayride performers, they considered those performers as competition. Most of the big Hayride performers later moved and recorded in Nashville and became members of the Opry, but, Johnny being killed in 1960 while the Hayride was still going and the first inducties to the hall of fame in 62-63, Johnny’s Hall of Fame chances were slim and still are. Check out Merle Kilgores autobiography, Merle and Johnny were good friends and there’s some good Johnny Horton stories in the book.
May 13, 2022 @ 1:40 pm
Lynn Anderson’s run was longer than 6 years. Try 1966-1980 with charted hits
May 13, 2022 @ 6:42 pm
She only had 2 top 10s after 1974. That’s what I meant by solid. But yes, her hits did start in ’66.
May 15, 2022 @ 11:55 am
Anderson’s run was similar to Kathy Mattea’s — breakthrough hit in 1986, solid top 10 hitmaker through 1992, then only sporadic success until being dropped by her label. I don’t see her name mentioned in connection with the Hall much, despite her having worked as a tour guide there when she first came to Nashville.
May 18, 2022 @ 6:04 pm
Lynn Anderson was from approximately 1968-1974 among the top three women on the charts with Loretta and Tammy. Whitburn’s Billboard country singles book lists her as the 13th biggest act of the 1970’s, not far behind Loretta, Tammy, and Dolly all of whom had a slew of duet hits that were counted in their totals. Her last top ten for years may have been in 1974 but she was in the top 20 with almost every record for the rest of the 1970’s. She was also by far the most popular country star with the major television networks judging by her scores of tv appearances throughout the decade and that should also count for something.
Lynn Anderson’s last number one was in 1974, Tammy’s was in 1976. Lynn’s last solo top ten was in 1979, Tammy’s was in 1981. Lynn’s final top ten in a duet was in 1984, Tammy’s was in 1985. Tammy had more number ones as a soloist yes but Lynn actually had more charting solo singles in Billboard than Tammy. I certainly don’t think anyone would argue against Tammy being in the Hall of Fame and yet Lynn is indisputably with Loretta and Dolly, Tammy’s biggest contemporary.
Incidentally, Lynn’s three number one albums spent more time at number one in Billboard than Tammy’s three or even Loretta’s ten. The facts are in the Billboard charts for anyone to confirm.
May 18, 2022 @ 8:46 pm
You have made a solid case, Tom.
May 13, 2022 @ 10:17 pm
I mentioned my thoughts about an extra category on a previous article:
I’ve been thinking recently about this “Legacy/Pioneer” category idea that was mentioned. If it were to be added as a 4th rotating category, that might be the best of both worlds. Then they could have 2 rotating categories each year: Songwriter/Musician one year, Legacy/Other the next year. You would give what the fans and industry want (more people being inducted) while also giving what the Hall wants (keeping the honour exclusive).
Just my two cents.
May 12, 2022 @ 7:15 pm
I would not be the least bit upset if Tanya Tucker got her due.
May 12, 2022 @ 9:56 pm
Love the harmonies from The Wilder Blue “Wave Dancer” from the ticker tape, above
May 13, 2022 @ 6:41 am
Nominate Charlie Crockett twice. (sarcasm)
May 13, 2022 @ 7:35 am
Hoping for Maddox Brothers and Rose to get in – Jerry Lee would be a good thing as well. Nudie Cohn would be great. Keith or Dwight would be my top two for modern.
May 13, 2022 @ 8:57 am
Maddox Brothers and Rose aren’t eligible this year because Don just died in September.
I’d go with Dwight over Keith based on longevity (maybe not fair) and amount of output (also maybe not fair), but still…
May 13, 2022 @ 4:38 pm
I was afraid of that. Maybe Jerry Lee will be in while he’s still here with MB&R next year.. Dwight belongs in the Hall.
May 16, 2022 @ 5:31 am
Jerry Lee has been waiting for years and his many many fans would love to see him get his dues before we all pass away! All joking aside, Jerry’s country hits are many and the best true country music ever! She even woke me up to say goodbye, What made Milwaukee famous made a fool out of me, just two of dozens of the real country music. I don’t know how country music got where it is today? There are other older true country singers who deserve this but truly non as long as Jerry lee!
May 13, 2022 @ 1:38 pm
I sincerely hope that this will be Lynn Anderson’s year.
May 13, 2022 @ 2:08 pm
They should just have Marty and Connie take turns picking the nominees. Marty is (literally, if you go by the Ken Burns documentary) the voice of country music history and Connie is undoubtably the greatest living country singer.
Maddox Brothers and Rose would get in, then Paycheck (if a good Christian woman like Connie would vote for Paycheck then, well, the hypocrites probably wouldn’t). Tucker. Whitley. Dwight. Patty.
May 18, 2022 @ 8:52 pm
Connie is undoubtedly the greatest living country singer? Loretta, Dolly, Willie, and George Strait are all still alive too.
May 14, 2022 @ 12:20 am
You know, they couldn’t manage to induct Faron Young until after his death. Is the super-secret committee waiting for Jerry Lee’s passing before giving him this richly deserved honor? Seems rather ghoulish.
May 14, 2022 @ 1:39 pm
Gram Parsons should be in as should Gary Stewart, Jerry Jeff Walker, DAC and Paycheck and the fact that Vern Gosdin and Keith Whitley are not in us criminal. We shall see what the future holds.
May 14, 2022 @ 3:18 pm
How about Earl Thomas Conley & Dwight Yoakam
May 15, 2022 @ 1:54 am
I think that the Wilburn Brothers should be in. They were the best duro in Country Music and more than earned the right to be in the Hall of Fame.
May 15, 2022 @ 10:14 am
TANYA TUCKER DESERVES TO BE HONORED BY THE CMHOF IN 2022 AFTER 50 YEARS OF CONSTANT HIT COUNTRY SONGS !!
May 15, 2022 @ 9:54 pm
Hope Jerry Lee Lewis gets inducted this 2022 while he’s still with us.
As far as the rotation inductee,how about Photographer Les Leverett ? Or Hee Haw producer Sam Louvello ?
Opry Backup leader and sign signal chord inventor Carol Lee Cooper ?
WSM announcer Hairl Hensley and Eddie Stubb’s.
Comedian Archie Campbell.
May 16, 2022 @ 7:44 pm
Tanya Tucker!!! Way overdue
May 17, 2022 @ 6:40 am
Keith Whitley!! Best country singer ever
May 17, 2022 @ 8:24 am
BOOM! Keith Whitley is in!!! What an exciting day!!
December 7, 2022 @ 2:05 pm
For 2023, I predict Tanya Tucker in the Veterans’ Era category and either Clint Black or Dwight Yoakam in the Modern Era category. 2023 means we rotate back to the Songwriter category, and I have no idea who the Hall of Fame will induct there.
To clarify — in the Veterans category, Tanya isn’t who I think deserves it (that would be the Stanley Bros.) but rather who I predict the Hall will actually pick.