Country Music Hall of Fame Sets 2025 Inductee Announcement
The Country Music Association will be announcing the 2025 inductee class to the Country Music Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 25th at 10:00 a.m. Central. The announcement will come via a press conference from the Hall of Fame rotunda in Nashville. Hall of Fame inductee Vince Gill will be hosting the announcement, and it will be live streamed on the CMA’s YouTube Channel.
To see Saving Country Music’s picks and predictions for the 2025 Hall of Fame class, CLICK HERE.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inductees are selected through a committee process appointed by the Country Music Association (CMA). The selection process is 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 45 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 a musician James Burton selected in 2024, and songwriter Bob McDill selected in 2023, it would be a non-performer selected in 2025, meaning a label executive, media personality, or someone else considered instrumental to country music.
Since the Country Music Hall of Fame process is secretive, we do not know who is being considered for induction in the three categories. 2024 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame were Toby Keith in the Modern Era category, John Anderson in the Veteran’s Era category, and musician James Burton.
Check back on on Tuesday, March 25th as Saving Country Music covers the announcement and new inductees in real time.
March 20, 2025 @ 8:57 am
Since the discussion is inevitably going to turn to how to clear the massive log jam of seemingly worthy entertainers performers, writers, musicians, composers, and so many other people who aren’t yet inducted, I want to get out in front of the curve and lead the discussion in a thoughtful manner
First off, I do not believe in opening a new category, for any reason, and I will use a pioneers category as a hypothetical
If a pioneers category were added to the induction process to induct people from the earliest days of country music, it would be easier to begin a category than to shutter it
What exactly does anybody think would happen when they ran out of worthy pioneers to induct? I don’t believe they would shutter the category after five years, or six years, I think they would proceed to induct less and less worthy candidates just because the category is there, and they feel compelled to induct someone. Meaning that they have diluted the waters and started inducting less worthy people, setting a precedent to induct less worthy people in the other categories.
Once that floodgate is opened, no force of arms, no philosophy, no miracle exists in all the cosmos to reverse it.
I believe that the logjam is both essential and desirable, because one crack in the proverbial dam and in ten years we’ll see Dave and Sugar, Dallas Davidson, Lisa Todd and Linda Caroll-Moore inducted.
Does anyone want that? Is inducting Freddy Fender really worth playing with fire?
The exclusivity isn’t something to nonchalantly gamble with. It’s something to cherish and protect.
Besides Freddy fender will probably be in the rock n roll hall of fame in a couple years alongside Diana krall and David hasselhoff.
If we gamble with the hof’s exclusively (the country music hall of fame not David’s nickname) we risk seeing it eroded
Because once they open a new category they’ll induct people in that category every year. Forever.
Another rotating category could work: pioneer, entertainer (opening the door for junior samples, archie Campbell, stringbean, Jerry clower, other non musical country personalities) and the third category would be preservationist: somebody who preserved parts of country music culture either songs or artifacts or footage)
Again, it’s a hypothetical but most people want change and I think that change should be implemented with caution and respect for the exclusivity
March 20, 2025 @ 9:02 am
“Besides Freddy fender will probably be in the rock n roll hall of fame in a couple years alongside Diana krall and David hasselhoff.”
Ha! Sad but true.
March 20, 2025 @ 9:24 am
One theoretical category I could see them adding is a “Deceased Legend” (or something to that effect).
This could, in some manner, be another way to each year, slightly clear the logjam. They wouldn’t even have to violate the long-standing rule of someone being nominated/entered the year after their death as there are plenty of deceased performers who deserve to be in.
March 20, 2025 @ 3:45 pm
Seems to me, the proposed category title “Pioneer” works fine. Calling it “Deceased Legend,” instead, has that TMI vibe of calling a mother a “birthing person.” Literal, to the point of creepiness.
March 20, 2025 @ 11:40 am
I respectfully disagree. The Pioneer category will be ever expanding if it has a definition based on how many years vs. a calendar year cutoff. This doesn’t have to be just singers; it can be entertainers, writers, execs, etc.
With the backlog I am not worried about running out of candidates anytime soon.
I know many don’t like mass inductions but I feel we are going to need another one soon and quickly if nothing is done to address the backlog.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:08 pm
If they ever introduce the Pioneer category, old Moses should be the first to be inducted.
Without his ten commandments, no country songs.
March 20, 2025 @ 1:07 pm
Vern Gosdin, Gary Stewart and Gene Watson (before his gone).
March 20, 2025 @ 11:16 pm
Can I ask you your opinions on a thought I had: instead of a new category, have them double the number of inductees every 4 years.
For instance, if my idea were to start this year then 2025 would be 2 Veterans, 2 Modern and 2 executives. 2026 would be 1 V, 1 M, and 1 Songwriter. 2027 would be 1 V, 1 M and 1 Musician. 2028 would be 1 V, 1 M and 1 Executive. Then 2029 would be 2 V, 2 M and 2 Songwriters. So on, and so forth.
This would increase the number of inductees and help break the backlog, but only by an additional 3 people every 4 years. Plus it would be evenly spread between all three of the rotating categories.
March 20, 2025 @ 9:19 am
My predictions/hopes:
Modern era: Tim McGraw or Dwight Yoakam
Veteran era: Jimmy Buffett or Gram Parsons
Non-Performer: Mike Curb (lol, I’m just kidding with that one). More seriously, I would like to see either Tony Brown (legendary for his work with George Strait, in particular) or Bob Kingsley
March 20, 2025 @ 10:47 am
You forgot to select a country singer in the Veteran Era Category.
I will lend a hand. Johnny Horton is the pick.
March 20, 2025 @ 10:52 am
Seconded.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:12 pm
I wouldn’t argue against Johnny Horton. Would pair especially well if Dwight Yoakam were be selected for Modern Era
March 20, 2025 @ 3:39 pm
That combo works for me.
March 20, 2025 @ 4:16 pm
We were bound to agree on something sooner or later.
March 20, 2025 @ 11:26 am
My guess is Rosanne Cash will be inducted through one category or another
March 20, 2025 @ 11:27 am
David B,
What are your predictions for the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees?.
March 20, 2025 @ 11:47 am
Names I’m hearing as finalists, Lynn Anderson, June Carter Cash, Crystal Gayle, Vern Gosdin, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Johnny Paycheck. For the modern category, Dwight Yoakam, Roseanne Cash, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Clint Black, Steve Wariner and Alison Krauss.
All are worthy.
Anyone pre-1970 is not going to have much of a chance at all.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:00 pm
David B,
Which ones do you see being inducted out of Lynn Anderson, June Carter Cash, Crystal Gayle, Vern Gosdin, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Johnny Paycheck in the Veterans category and Clint Black, Rosanne Cash, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, Shania Twain, Steve Wariner and Dwight Yoakam in the Modern category?.
March 20, 2025 @ 6:09 pm
Hi David,
The only one in the Veteran finalists I would quibble with is June Carter. Would she be considered if her married name wasn’t Cash? I’m not convinced. However I can make a strong argument that Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters should be strongly considered. Anita was the most talented Carter sister in my opinion and I don’t think it’s right June be in and Anita not. Yes, I’m aware this would make Maybelle the second two time inductee.
On the modern side I have same thoughts on Roseanne. Would she be a strong candidate if she was Rosanne Smith? She had a great career but so have many other female vocalists. I would put Janie Fricke ahead of Roseanne. Shania Twain was hot for a minute or two and sold millions of albums that were marketed when country got red hot in the early 90s. Her body of work is relatively small (just 6 studio albums).
Just my thoughts and I respect all other opinions. By the way I really respect the work you do with keeping Conway’s legacy alive. With his early passing and the passage of time he doesn’t get the level of recognition he deserves.
March 20, 2025 @ 7:28 pm
@steve–As far as the Carter women, I think Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters should go in as a single unit, rather than splitting it up, because–as you point out–Anita and June probably fall short individually. But voters are free to consider their individual accomplishments even when voting for the group.
I’d like to see Rosanne Cash get in, but it strikes me that it would seem unfair for Rosanne to get in while Rodney Crowell is left out. Rodney produced all of Rosanne’s hit albums (up until their split), had a #1 duet with her, and then made his mark on his own as an artist and major songwriter. But they’ll have to go in in different years because they’d both be in the veterans’ category and only one gets in per year.
I don’t know about Fricke, but as far a commercial stardom, Anne Murray and Crystal Gayle are both well ahead of Rosanne.
March 20, 2025 @ 8:58 pm
She wouldn’t be.
June’s candidacy runs on being Johnny’s adulterous squeeze.
March 20, 2025 @ 10:32 pm
CountryKnight,
Why do you insist on running down the name of a dead country legend? If you don’t think June Carter is qualified for the Hall of Fame, you could make that point without being so crass and dismissive. It’s comments like this that give the entire website a bad reputation that I have to answer for.
March 21, 2025 @ 7:33 am
Pointing out the truth isn’t running down a legend (I quibble with that designation for her). If anything, it is needed to balance out the Mary-like role she holds in country music history. Heck, you called her sainted once – a description June would laugh at.
Let’s look at her resume. She only had one solo single (#27, “A Good Man”) that charted. None of her singles with Johnny hit #1 – “Jackson”
and “Carpenter” came the closest at #2.
She is solely considered because of her relationship with Johnny. That is the truth. This isn’t a Tammy or Loretta situation where both songstresses had massive careers without Jones and Conway.
Stronger female candidates aren’t making the shortlist because they didn’t shack up with Johnny Cash.
But I guess “Tennessee Mambo, Left Over Mambo” is that great of a song.
March 21, 2025 @ 7:44 am
CountryKnight,
I tend to agree with you that June Carter does not need a solo designation in the Hall of Fame. I think June and her sisters should be recognized for the decades they sang in The Carter Family, who is already inducted.
But what you need to understand is when you breeze in here and leave a comment of “Jun Carter’s a WHORE!,” you’re likely responding to an older, conservative June Carter fan who is going to receive a reply notification in their inbox from Saving Country Music of someone screaming at them about one of their favorite artists, and it’s not going to reflect negatively upon you, it’s going to reflect negatively upon all of us.
You’ve made it abundantly clear how much you hate Johnny Cash and everything about him over the years because you disagree with his politics. This was for someone who was close friends with Billy Graham by the way. You don’t need to be hyperbolic, and seethe towards other readers over the matter.
March 21, 2025 @ 9:26 am
In light of additional comments I want to add to my original comments:
My questioning of solo induction for June Carter and Roseanne based on their name are not meant to be disrespectful; just an observation based on the merits of their careers vs others. I support induction of “Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters” as an act as they deserve it and are separate from the original Carter family.
Roseanne had an exemplary career. But so did many many others. I mentioned Janie Fricke because she is highly respected and was a successful “duet” partner on hits by Vern Gosdin, Johnny Duncan and Charlie Rich in addition to having many mega solo hits. Yet she is never mentioned. Kathy Mattea, Charley McClain, Lacy J Dalton and other females had strong careers also and each had their own style that made their songs instantly recognizable.
I have nothing but admiration and respect for Johnny and the Cash family. It was not my intent to impugn on their character in any way.
March 23, 2025 @ 5:46 am
I would not count out June Carter on Tuesday. In fact, she might be the front-runner. That Grammy-nominated movie made a very strong case for her importance to the genre and, although “insiders” might scoff and hurl insults (completely unnecessary), her rightful place in our music’s history is recognized more and more as time goes by
The Hall of Fame is far more than rewarding chart action. The roles she chose for her career and life is totally understandable, given its tumult and the mighty shadows of her husbands. Are we here in the business of judging people on such a basis? Is this 1950 (by which time June Carter was already a star)? Do we only comment on women’s lives in this way? Whore?! Really?
It is fun, and even instructive, to debate the Hall of Fame topic. But this is a celebration, or should be. Whoever is chosen should be lauded. If it is June Carter Cash, there will be huge appreciation throughout the music world that country music has embraced that there are many paths to greatness, and they rewarded that. If it is someone else, we should be thrilled for them, leaving their closet doors closed.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:00 pm
I know there is a log jam. I was hoping there would be an invitation given at last night’s Opry100 show. There is no way all of these deserving artists if there is not a change in how many get in annually. It would be great to see several of the artists that have been previously mentioned. It blows my mind that Shania Twain is not (although not a huge fan). I would like to see Tim McGraw and Linda Ronstadt be voted in this year.
Did Lynn Anderson and Johnny Paycheck have that much success to leap frog more commercially successful artist?
March 21, 2025 @ 3:18 am
“Rose Garden” was a No. #1 song around the world, bringing a huge amount of publicity for Country Music when it returned back to square one. Not to mention Anderson’s numerous top-ten hits. As for Paycheck, almost every 40+ adult in this country knows how to complete this phrase: “Take this job and…..”. I’d say he’s pretty important.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:03 pm
Last year they found some sheets of an previously unknown suite by Johann Sebastian Bach, dated 1705, when Bach was a young’un at 20 years old.
He called it “Baroque ‘n Roll” (BWV 1072).
Obviously a contender for the Pioneèr Award at the next Rock Hall of Fame event.
March 20, 2025 @ 12:28 pm
Off-topic. I just caught up with the Flylords podcast with Colby Acuff. In addition to talking about his time before fame when he had to choose between working as a trader at Merrill Lynch or a fly fishing guide, he also talks a lot about the current state of the music business and country music. Definitely worth a listen.
March 20, 2025 @ 2:35 pm
A lot of these performers are aging out, from what I’m seeing of the next generation of country artists there aren’t that many with the talent level of the Senior artists that are left.
Like George Jones asked “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?”
March 20, 2025 @ 3:34 pm
The fact that Gene Watson is not in is a crime. Saw him a couple months ago and his show at 81 is still better than lots of these younger wannabes.
March 20, 2025 @ 3:55 pm
So call the cops. They might be interested, ‘cept they never heard of him.
March 20, 2025 @ 5:32 pm
Got it. You fancy yourself as a smart ass.
March 20, 2025 @ 5:16 pm
Far as it standing a chance to be diluted, i as always disagree. Plenty of worthy candidates based on people already in. The issue of dilution will exist if they start putting acts that arent country in. Thats why the rock n roll hall is the way it is. Far as the country hall, i feel its weaker not stronger based on its exclusivity.
March 20, 2025 @ 6:45 pm
Earl Thomas Conley (ETC) Should be in tbd COuntry Music Hall of Fame
March 20, 2025 @ 8:01 pm
Pam Tillis absolutely needs to be in contention. It is not talked about enough how much she paved the way- especially for female artists. She was the first woman on a major label to produce her own record. She co-headlined the first all female country tour. She’s been an actress, performed on Broadway, won the CMA founding president’s award for her representation of country music through the world. She has written songs for major artists as well as many of her own hits. She is country music royalty and does a stellar job bridging country music’s past into the present. Pam might not have had as many #1 songs as some of her contemporaries, but she ruled the airwaves in the 90’s and has an impressive chart history and album sales. Pam has influenced so many. Her songs are constantly done on singing competitions. She’s still doing two all female tours along with her all female trio solo shows. Stop overlooking Pam, she’s one of the most talented there is!
March 21, 2025 @ 9:21 am
Nathan, thats a decent argument for Tillis, in fact the best I’ve heard. My gut tells me it won’t happen though. I think she just Flys under the radar at this point. Her body of work is great, but people forget, or never fully realized, just like a lot of names not in the HOF.
March 21, 2025 @ 12:21 pm
Thank you…Sadly, I agree. There are a lot of others as well, as you said. I think that the CMHOF needs to induct more than 3 a year, as the format has grown tremendously.
March 20, 2025 @ 9:20 pm
Linda Ronstadt is long overdue.
March 21, 2025 @ 7:31 pm
Wynn Stewart, cornerstone of the Bakersfield song and attitude.
March 22, 2025 @ 4:46 pm
If Vince being involved has implications re the inductees, then I’m going with Rosanne Cash and…Pam Tillis? Tillis is a wild guess but seems right and deserved.
March 23, 2025 @ 3:56 pm
I’m not sure Vince being involved in the announcement carries a lot of weight as to who is going in given he’s president of the CMF Board of Trustees. Being the eternal optimist, the Veterans category is the only one I’m really interested in and, as always, my heart is with Ralph and Carter Stanley. If I had to guess in the other two, I think the Contemporary category could go to either Rodney Crowell or Dwight Yoakam with the non-performing category accolades going to Tony Brown.
March 25, 2025 @ 8:05 am
anyone watching? the inductees are from North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee. any guesses?