Country Music Hall of Fame to Finally Announce 2021 Inductees
It’s been a very long time coming. But the Country Music Hall of Fame has finally announced when they will reveal the newest inductees. They will be revealed on Monday, August 16th at 10 a.m. Central. Hosted by Hall of Famer Reba McEntire, the unveiling will stream via the embedded video player below.
Though country fans got used to Hall of Fame inductees being announced in the spring most every year in recent memory, due to COVID-19, they were pushed back to August 12th in 2020. That’s right, the last class was revealed a year ago today, so this year’s announcement isn’t too far off the new COVID-era timeline.
There will be three new inductees announced in three distinct categories: Modern Era, Veterans Era, and the “Non-Performer, Songwriter, and Recording and/or Touring Musician” category, which this year will focus on a recording or touring musician.
If you would like to see predictions and prognostications on who might be picked, as well as a full run down of the rules for Hall of Fame induction, check out Saving Country Music’s Complete Preview of potential 2021 Hall of Fame inductees.
Last year’s inductees of Marty Stuart in the Modern Era, Hank Williams Jr. in the Veterans Era, and Dean Dillon in the songwriting category have yet to be officially enshrined at the Hall of Fame in the Medallion Ceremony, which similar to the announcements, has been delayed due to COVID. However, the Medallion Ceremony is finally scheduled to happen on Sunday, November 21 for the 2020 inductees, along with whomever the new inductees are for 2021 in a double ceremony.
Again, you can watch the press conference below, and Saving Country Music will be offering full coverage Monday morning on the new Country Music Hall of Fame inductees.
August 12, 2021 @ 1:21 pm
Great update Trig! Nice work.
August 12, 2021 @ 3:00 pm
Tim McGraw is eligible I’m pretty sure…
Damn I feel old
August 13, 2021 @ 12:34 am
He has been eligible for about 7 years now.
August 12, 2021 @ 3:48 pm
In the past year there seems to have been much activity surrounding Tanya Tucker, Jerry Lee Lewis and the late Lynn Anderson. I cannot help but believe that Crystal Gayle and Mickey Gilley are not on the radar either. All could be possible veterans.
Depending on how far back you want to go, The Gatlins could still fit into the modern era, but also Steve Wariner, The Judds or Clint Black. Exhibits however in recent years have gone to Keith Whitley and Martina McBride, both eligible.
For this particular rotating category until Bashful Brother Oswald, Tommy Duncan and Don Rich are inducted, justice will never be served. Somehow though I feel Buck Trent and Jimmy Capps are on the radar this year.
August 12, 2021 @ 4:32 pm
Jimmy Capps isn’t eligible this year because he died last year unless there’s new Covid-era rules I’m unaware of that would make him eligible.
August 13, 2021 @ 1:41 pm
Charlie Pride should see a nod before Ray Charles if race reconciliation is a factor
August 13, 2021 @ 1:53 pm
Charley Pride was inducted in 2000
August 14, 2021 @ 8:30 am
I prefer inducting based on talent not woke points.
It is called having standards.
August 15, 2021 @ 1:41 am
Well, if “having talent” is the standard, then Ray Charles would’ve gotten in decades ago.
With Ray, the sticking point seems to revolve around how the Association defines “country music.”
August 12, 2021 @ 3:59 pm
Until David Allan Coe gets in I am not interested.
August 12, 2021 @ 4:40 pm
Keith Whitley is my favorite country artist of the past 40 years, but he should not be inducted ahead of the man who gave him his first job and it’s a shame that Ricky Skaggs (another favorite) already was. So hopefully the Stanley Brothers are in in the veteran’s category, Whitley in modern, and Don Rich in musician.
August 12, 2021 @ 5:13 pm
Better be Trisha Yearwood.
August 15, 2021 @ 1:42 am
Sorry, it ain’t gonna be Trisha Yearwood.
August 12, 2021 @ 5:17 pm
Well, here comes the “Keith Whitley” posts. Let’s count them when this thread is over. And yes, I think he is awesome. But I have posted my humble opinion on his inclusion before so no need to restate here.
August 12, 2021 @ 6:58 pm
Haha Wayne. Spot on. Love Whitley. I do think he gets in as an influencer, because hey…everybody would love to sing like him. But currently the line of legends is long who are waiting. A bunch of them get in first, i think. I will say though, that Whitley fans are super vocal and passionate, so nothing would surprise me. Im on the island with Trig and that island is named Jerry The Killer Lee Lewis. Get that southern boy in there already people.
August 13, 2021 @ 2:00 pm
I believe in quality over quantity. Sam Cooke, Duane Allman, Buddy Holly, Robert Johnson, Jimi Hendrix, Tupac Shakur ,Janis Joplin, Hank Sr., Eddie Cochran, Kurt Cobian, etc. all had very short careers. The reason Whitley fans are vocal and passionate 32 years after his passing is because of the emotion and heart he put in his music. I hope he gets in soon.
August 15, 2021 @ 1:47 am
Well, the only other country name you mentioned there is Hank Williams. I like Keith Whitley, but you’re not helping your case by putting him up against Hank Williams.
August 12, 2021 @ 5:26 pm
Dwight yoakam belongs in the hall
He did more for country music in the late 80’s then anyone. This man writes 75 % of his music
August 12, 2021 @ 5:41 pm
My vote is Dwight Yoakam, Ray Charles, and Ralph Mooney. Yoakam was the most influential. Ray Charles because it will make the HOF feel good about itself, and who doesn’t like Ray. Ralph Mooney because he set the curve.
I could be wrong, probably will be wrong, but I don’t care.
August 12, 2021 @ 5:56 pm
It is unforgiveable that Ralph Mooney isn’t in. Agree with you on Ray Charles (for the hilarious reason you stated – well put). And also Dwight Yoakam hand’s down.
August 12, 2021 @ 7:18 pm
If I had to choose only one each right this moment: Maddox Bros and Rose, Tanya Tucker, Don Rich
August 12, 2021 @ 7:27 pm
Which young, mainstream, early career act on the radio has HOF potential someday?
Maybe Luke Combs?
August 13, 2021 @ 2:39 am
Miranda Lambert is gonna the best first new millenium act to be inducted in my opinion. As for the 2010s, Luke Combs has a good shot if he keeps the momentum up.
August 13, 2021 @ 7:12 am
Yes I think Miranda, Carrie, Aldean, and Luke Bryan are locks someday, whether you like it or not. But there aren’t many fresh faces on the scene that seem to have all-time potential.
August 12, 2021 @ 7:28 pm
Please let it be Keith Whitley!!
August 12, 2021 @ 8:27 pm
Maddox Brothers and Rose are way overdue! They are so deserving!
August 12, 2021 @ 9:22 pm
Why have the wilburn brothers not been recognized..I have no problem with dangerous don rich lol and I to think david alan Coe needs to be recognized hes a little rough around the edges but hes a great performer.song writer and player lol.
August 13, 2021 @ 2:10 pm
Yes Teddy & Doyle are way overdue!! They need to catch up all the legends of the 50’s & 60’s.
August 12, 2021 @ 10:42 pm
Rosanne cash
August 13, 2021 @ 12:21 am
Honestly Steve Warner needs to be put into the Hall of Fame along with Vern Gosdin and honestly Patty Loveless belongs there also
August 15, 2021 @ 2:16 am
You got that right Steve Warner has never been give the credit he deserves neither has Gene Watson man it’s a shame
August 13, 2021 @ 2:41 am
If they’re gonna pick a woman, that’s got to be Tanya Tucker, even though it’s a shame that a true pioneer like Skeeter Davis is out and nobody seems to remember her.
August 13, 2021 @ 5:41 am
Love Skeeter Davis. The sound of the Sixties: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UMGPBiaTvw
August 13, 2021 @ 5:23 am
The Stanley Brothers
August 13, 2021 @ 5:41 am
Stonewall Jackson, Wynn Stewart, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Horton, Don Rich, Bashful Brother Oswald, and Tanya Tucker should all be in before any modern performers.
August 15, 2021 @ 1:52 am
@robrush –That’s not the way the Hall works–nor should it be!
August 15, 2021 @ 8:43 am
Sure, but having a category where a newer artist automatically goes in before eligible older artists can just because the veterans group is limited to one and just because there is a modern category doesn’t quite seem right either. People have short memories, and with these categories it is just a popularity contest over who might really deserve it. Kenny Chesney will probably get in before possibly all of the names I mentioned, and that hurts my heart.
August 15, 2021 @ 2:44 pm
I think if there were a second slot added annually to the Hall of Fame selections, or a year where the put numerous artists in one category in at once, it should impact the Veteran’s Era category, not Modern. The Veteran’s era is where the backlog is.
But I also don’t have a problem with them putting in more modern artists when it’s obvious they should be in, like Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, etc., when they become eligible.
They’re not putting in a Modern era artist in lieu of a Veteran. I know how it might feel that way. But that’s just not how the system works. But of course, the system really isn’t working at all at the moment with the backlog.
August 13, 2021 @ 6:05 am
I hope Lynn Anderson finally gets her due.
August 13, 2021 @ 6:11 am
There is something to be said for being selective…but the country music HoF backlog is ridiculous. It might be time to move to a system of 3 “modern” artists. You do want most people being inducted to be alive.
August 13, 2021 @ 2:14 pm
You might as well be saying that if you’ve passed on, even though you were a significant part of Country Music you don’t count. I wish they would focus on the older ones first then put all the recent stars in later.
August 13, 2021 @ 6:34 am
I’m probably the only one with the opinion that the main problem with the hall of fame is that 1920s-1940s stars are embarrassingly underrepresented. I’d rather see more 1920s stars get in than any of the modern people everyone else is pulling for. Even the artists most often credited with making the first country records aren’t in.
August 13, 2021 @ 8:46 am
No I wholeheartedly agree with you. We must remember that from 1961 to about 1995 usually only one artist a year was inducted. Bradley Kincaid, Cowboy Copas, Lulu Belle & Scotty are some artists that were on the ballot at times that never got elected, but should have. To me Kincaid is the most glaring omission of the whole thing.
I would hail those three acts mentioned, but also add The Maddox Brothers and Rose, Stringbean, Gid Tanner & His Skillet Lickers, Fiddlin’ John Carson, Johnny & Jack, Archie Campbell and others.
An early influence category needs added desperately.
August 13, 2021 @ 9:21 am
I hate that there’s a Modern Artist category. It favors the recently popular artists over older, historically important artists.
August 13, 2021 @ 7:15 am
I don’t follow the awards very closely, so maybe I’ve missed something, and not to take anything away from names already mentioned, but I guess I’ll be the guy to say “Gram Parsons.”
August 13, 2021 @ 7:16 am
Here are my picks..Vern Gosdin, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless
????????????????
August 13, 2021 @ 7:38 am
Moon Mullican and Jerry Lee Lewis are 2 of the greatest and both should be in this long ago. Moon and Jerry Lee are both eligible for the veterans era and Jerry Lee also for the current era. It is a shame Jerry Lee and Moon have waited this long.
August 13, 2021 @ 7:51 am
Don Rich influenced us modern musicians more than anybody
August 13, 2021 @ 7:54 am
Here is another to think about…Mark Chestnutt
????????????????
August 13, 2021 @ 8:26 am
GENE WATSON !!!!
August 16, 2021 @ 11:42 am
Yes by all means
August 13, 2021 @ 10:26 am
My personal picks are Wanda Jackson, Crystal Gayle and Jerry Douglas but my prediction is that Dwight Yoakam is definitely in this year and that either Tanya Tucker or Linda Ronstadt will be joining him. I’m not really up on older musicians but most commenters here seem to be putting forward Don Rich so I’ll back him as well.
I think the HoF should do something similar to the Rock and Roll HoF and release the “shortlist” so that fans can discuss and debate without having to wildly predict and end up disappointed. I’m not necessarily saying they should let fans vote like they do for the Rock HoF but a little more transparency wouldn’t hurt.
There will be 6 HoF members inducted this year so I’m hoping the opening to the CMAs this year is each of them performing a selection of their songs akin to the “women of country” performance from 2019.
August 13, 2021 @ 12:01 pm
Dwight Yoakam should definitely be considered a shoo-in, if not this year than in the VERY near future. A name I’m surprised no one has mentioned is John Anderson. Sure, he didn’t have the same kind of career as others, but he definitely deserves consideration. The fact that he had about six or seven monster years out of his now 40 year career is I think the one thing that is working against him.
August 13, 2021 @ 12:06 pm
Jerry Lee Lewis PLEASE
August 13, 2021 @ 4:59 pm
The Buckaroos and Paycheck, dammit!
August 14, 2021 @ 8:51 am
Im all in on Paycheck. But realistically he terrifies the suits. His image was ROUGH. Really ROUGH. Even his band would tell you he was nuts. And a hellion. He and Coe both belong there i firmly believe, but im certain the HOF folks tremble, just imagining the potential blow-back. But his contributiions in songwriting and singing are impressive. To me, in his prime, the only guy to give serious competition to Jones in the vocal dept was Paycheck. No surprise they toured and played together.
August 13, 2021 @ 6:18 pm
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, Maddox Brothers and Rose and the Wilburn Brothers are all way past due for induction into the HOF. Hopefully, one of these acts will finally get in this year.
August 14, 2021 @ 6:41 am
Mother Maybelle is in the HOF along with AP and Sara as The Carter Family. I know why you are saying this though, you are really wishing to make a case for Helen, Anita and June. Personally I have no issue with those ladies being inducted and its a shame June Carter, of all people isnt. She recorded and toured with Johnny all those years and unquestionably made her mark in the industry. And many of those Johnny Cash tours back in the day featured Maybelle and her daughters. I agree on Maddox Bros and Rose. Its sad we are at a point where the public would have zero recognition of their name, and putting them in at this time would write that wrong, but few would even know who they were. I cannot think of a single reason why Wilburn Bros haven’t been put in there. They had a lot of early hits, were Opry Stars and had a TV Show.
August 14, 2021 @ 7:50 am
I think they should immediately induct every single person who has ever been affiliated in any way with a Country song.
August 14, 2021 @ 8:43 am
Im not in favor of everyone getting in. As i pont out, its a Hall of FAME, not a Hall of obscure people who participated once or twice. IMO you need to have made a significant contribution to the music. And you have to be FAMOUS.
August 14, 2021 @ 8:43 am
Isn’t that what they are doing now?
August 14, 2021 @ 3:01 pm
Jerry Lee Lewis should be in the CM hall of fame years ago… It’s mind boggling that a star like him wasn’t inducted yet…
Makes one wonder what criteria is required in the choice making.
Just check out his history in country music.
It should speak volumes on why ,he ,belongs among the hall of famers
August 15, 2021 @ 10:53 pm
I’m so glad for Hank Jr . He was ignored for many many years. He has had such a great career, despite his experience with country music.He still sells out concerts where ever he plays. Young fans of country music love going to a show to see him bring the party. He never disappoints. I’m just an old Hank fan from the 80s.
August 16, 2021 @ 3:15 pm
And Jerry Lee gets snubbed again
I am so angry