Why Ray Charles Is Deserving of Country Hall of Fame Induction
“I think Ray Charles did as much as anybody when he did his country music album.”
—Willie Nelson
You don’t primarily consider Ray Charles as a country artist, and for obvious reasons. The lion’s share of his legacy was forged in pop, blues, and R&B. But you don’t consider Elvis Presley primarily a country star either, or the Everly Brothers. But they’re in the Country Music Hall of Fame for not just the influence, but the impact they had on the genre. This is the same reason the Country Music Hall of Fame has also chosen to induct Ray Charles as its 2021 Veterans Era inductee.
He was announced Monday morning (8-16) with a surprising four inductees this year, after musicians Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake tied for the distinction. The Judds were also announced as the new inductees the Modern Era category (READ MORE).
Some will larp about how the Hall of Fame has gone woke, or present other arguments about the obvious calculus behind the pick. For sure, it is advantageous to induct Ray Charles at a time when race is such a heavy topic in American culture, and country music specifically. But don’t allow that to discount the incredible impact Ray Charles had on the genre in ways that most certainly are Hall of Fame worthy, and frankly, a lot more worthy than some of the other plaques that adorn the rotunda.
With his 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, and Volume 2 released later, Ray Charles opened up the gift and the joy of country music to an entirely new audience that may have otherwise not have been exposed to it. It wasn’t just the contributions of Ray Charles to the country music canon, it was his ambassadorship for country to the rest of the musical world that made his contributions so magnanimous, and impactful.
And though you may not consider Ray Charles a Hall of Famer simply off of the commercial numbers he amassed like some inductees, it wasn’t as if his impact on country was all hypothetical. The Modern Sounds in Country Music volumes launched numerous hits, including #1’s with “I Can’t Stop Loving You” written by Don Gibson, Cindy Walker’s “You Don’t Know Me,” the old traditional “You Are My Sunshine.”
Ray Charles died in 2004. The President of the Ray Charles Foundation Valerie Ervin spoke on Ray’s behalf about the induction. “Needless to say, Ray Charles loved country music. As a matter of fact, he risked a lot in 1962 when he decided to record ‘Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music.’ As the President of the Ray Charles Foundation, I cannot express enough how happy and honored Ray Charles would be at this moment in time, as I am for him.”
And sometimes folks forget about all the success Ray Charles had in country music in the 80’s, charting six Top 20 hits, including a #1 with Willie Nelson on “Seven Spanish Angels,” and the #6 “We Didn’t See a Thing” with Chet Atkins and George Jones. His album Friendship released in 1984 went #1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.
Country music had a friend in Ray Charles, and one it owes and incredible debt of gratitude to for the service he did for country in the 60’s, in the 80’s, and throughout his entire career. And now that debt has been repaid by enshrining the legacy of Ray Charles forever in the Hall of Fame.
August 16, 2021 @ 8:30 am
He is deserving, someday, but now before Jerry Lee Lewis, Crystal Gayle, Stonewall Jackson, Lynn Anderson, Mickey Gilley, Tanya Tucker…. have I got everyone? … Oh, no wait, The Maddox Brothers & Rose, Bradley Kincaid, The Wilburn Brothers…. ok, I’ll stop…
You know artists that built a country music career over several decades and not based upon one album and one duet with Willie Nelson.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:21 am
Look. We all know why Ray Charles was chosen this year. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve it. Are there more deserving? Yes. Are there people like Jerry Lee Lewis and the Maddox Brothers & Rose (with Don Maddox still alive) that you would have liked to see go in before they potentially die in the next year? Of course. That really is the biggest criticism you could make of this pick.
But I stand pat that it’s a solid pick, and a deserving one. It’s not Ray Charles’ fault that the Hall of Fame has such an incredible backlog that people on death’s door are stacked up trying to get in. When they initially announced this morning that four inductees were going in this year instead of three, I was praying it was due to a tie in the Veterans Era, not with the musicians. If they’d put in Jerry Lee or Maddox Brothers as well, we’d be considering this differently. The writing was on the wall for Ray Charles to get in this year. It’s the price old school conservative country fans should be happy to pay for finally getting Hank Williams Jr. in last year, which could have caused a huge controversy (but went mostly unnoticed).
This feels like a bit of an under-exciting year for inductees. Not much chatter online about it. The people who this pick was meant to please, many will barely even notice it, while they reload their guns to say how racist country music is. But again, that’s not the fault of Ray Charles. He bestowed the joy of country music to millions. And for that, he deserves to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:31 am
Yes Trigger, I think this year is a bit under-exciting. No disregard to the nominees, but the buzz won’t be much.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:09 am
The buzz is basically nothing. I agree, not to shade any of the nominees, but Dwight Yoakam, Keith Whitley, or Tanya Tucker would have caused considerably more buzz. And as far as musicians, Ralph Mooney or Don Rich would have been way more exciting than a couple of session guys. But it is what it is. The Hall of Fame continues to not really seem to know how to promote itself through this process.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:39 am
I’m not sure why Hank Jr. getting in might have caused controversy, aside from the in-Nashville crowd. Pretty much anyone outside of the Music City Establishment would probably just assume he was a lock.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:11 am
Well, when he made headlines for “calling Obama Hitler” and got kicked off Monday Night Football (even though that’s not exactly what went down), that made him persona no grata with many. I did see some grousing when he was announced last year, but there was so much other stuff going on and they announced the inductees so haphazardly, little came from it.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:41 am
Speaking of Bocephus, dont forget the song Two Oldl Cats Like Us, a duet with Ray Charles and Hank Jr. It was a big radio hit in 85 and it peaked at #14.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:05 am
That is a fun song. I’ll have to go back and listen to it.
August 17, 2021 @ 11:51 am
And also the Ray Charles duet with B.J. Thomas called “Rock And Roll Shoes” (also recorded by Johnny Cash) and the Ray Charles duet with Mickey Gilley called “It Ain’t Gonna Worry My Mind’ were both radio hits around 1984/85.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:23 pm
Hank Jr. should of been inducted 20 years ago
August 16, 2021 @ 3:06 pm
@David B–
“He’s deserving some day but not before….”
That’s nonsensical. Ray Charles made his biggest contributions in the 1960s. When is the “some day”??–in 2040?
BTW, the Country Music Hall of Fame is not doing any favors. The H-o-F will benefit from this induction at least as much as Charles (the Ray Charles estate) will. I don’t think Bradley Kincaid or Lynn Anderson would bring any visitors or other revenue to the H-o-F.
August 16, 2021 @ 3:15 pm
I’m still mad about Marty Stuart (his huge CM memorabilia collection ((know his prized piece? Connie )) & “what he’s done to advance the history of CM” don’t hold water in validation for me) & what an insult that was to Hank Jr , not to mention who SHOULD have gotten in modern Era instead, namely Keith, but Tritt comes to mind when thinking of Marty. Joke. Someday, sure. But long way from now (I can’t help but think how he essentially stole Don Rich’s Telecaster from his boys ((Buck’s to blame, but any kind of man would’ve given it back)).
However, this is worse. Put Ray Charles in, someday, fine. I thought putting 2 dead people in would be a long shot for my Modern (Keith) & Musician (Don) picks but never dreamed they’d screw both Jerry Lee & Don Maddox. But not just them, Johnny Horton, Copas, The Wilburns, Johnnie & Jack, Jim & Jessie, The Stanley Bros, etc etc. People who devoted their lives to Country. And while Ray may have had an impact on the outside world within Country he didn’t in comparison with these guys
August 16, 2021 @ 11:46 pm
He does not belong in the CMHOF and never will. Hes NOT a country artist or CM worker.
September 6, 2021 @ 8:38 pm
David B,
Who do you see being the next 10 acts inducted into the Hall of Fame from the Veterans category in the following order?.
August 16, 2021 @ 8:39 am
“Some will larp about how the Hall of Fame has gone woke”. Of course this is the case. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see this. Nonetheless, can’t say I am extremely disappointed.
Judds are in. OK.
Pete Drake is in. FANTASTIC!!
August 16, 2021 @ 8:40 am
He made some wonderful country music, but the fact is that he devoted a couple of albums to the genre while others devoted their entire lives. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be inducted. He should be, but not until they start inducting more than one Veteran’s Era performer per year.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:04 am
Ray Charles NEVER made country music. He made r&b/pop covers of country songs. Important distinction.
August 16, 2021 @ 8:46 am
I think we are all in agreement on this one. I know no bigger fan of Ray Charles than myself, and his Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music is my favorite album of all-time, but he did not have a consistently country career over decades, like so many of the aforementioned names. So, Hall of Fame? Someday, but not yet.
August 16, 2021 @ 8:57 am
Ray’s induction makes me hopeful that Gram Parsons’s time is coming. I’d like to see the Maddox Brothers and Rose get in while Don is still with us, but it’s past time that Gram Parsons gets his due as well.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:00 am
As for the Elvis comparison, Elvis had songs on the country charts his entire career, came up on the same Louisiana Hayride that made a star of Hank Williams and so many others, and frequently recorded in Nashville with the same musicians every other Hall of Famer of that era was using.
A more apt comparison would be Gram Parsons and/or The Byrds. And judging by that standard, they’re clearly more influential and deserving. They, after all, launched the entire country-rock subgenre, giving us, among others, the Eagles, one of the top-selling bands in all of music. Hall of Famer Vince Gill is a current member of the Eagles and a former member of another country rock band, Pure Prairie League. And it all came from Gram Parsons. Where is the country/R&B infusion that had a similar level of commercial success and longevity as the country rock subgenre?
August 16, 2021 @ 9:04 am
Charles’ induction may very well open the door to Parsons now. Not that I am in favor of that.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:23 am
Yes, the same justification for putting in Ray Charles is the same justification for Gram Parsons. But I don’t see Gram getting in anytime soon. Each year the backlog in the Veterans Era category grows deeper and deeper.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:43 am
Ray Charles is much more influential artist than GP (not to diminish Gram; he definitely changed things in his short life), his Modern Sounds record had a massive impact for one, but for another his R&B sound can be heard in the work of many country artists and writers. Mickey Newbury, Don Gibson and Dallas Frazier are just three. Truthfully I don’t see why it didn’t happen earlier. Also just being picky but I believe “You are my sunshine” is a Jimmy Davis song not a traditional, could be wrong though.
August 17, 2021 @ 12:40 pm
Without Gram, there is unlikely to be an Emmylou….
August 16, 2021 @ 9:05 am
I had thought he already was a member. It’s a good call to get him there, better late than never.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:25 am
….”But you don’t consider Elvis Presley primarily a country star either, or the Everly Brothers. But they’re in the Country Music Hall of Fame for not just the influence, but the impact they had on the genre.”…….
What impact exactly? Forging music that ultimately led to C(c)ountry music’s demise? I suppose you’re right; the death of something is an impact.
….”This is the same reason the Country Music Hall of Fame has also chosen to induct Ray Charles as its 2021 Veterans Era inductee.”….
No, that’s not the reason. You know that’s not the reason. I know that’s not the reason. And you know that I know that you know that’s not the reason. But here you are, lying about the reason.
August 16, 2021 @ 9:34 am
Ray Charles was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame due to the incredible impact he had as an ambassador for the genre and the influence he had on the music, as well as a way to attempt to satisfy the critics of both the Hall of Fame and country music for not being inclusive enough, which already isn’t working, because his induction is being used as an attack vector because it apparently took them “too long” to induct him.
Both things can be true. And in this case, they are.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:12 am
Before reading this comment, I was going to say exactly the same thing…both can be true. One of the negative effects of quotas, forced diversity, and over-wokeness is that it diminishes the accomplishments of people. I’ve seen quite a few black commentators, intellectuals and even just friends mention this. They want to be recognized for their achievements, not have to wonder if they are just a checked box.
Personally, I think Ray Charles deserves it based on merit, and it’s sad that his accomplishment has to be second guessed because, a lot of focus in our culture and institutions is being placed on rewarding people, for reasons other than that.
Congratulations to Ray.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:31 am
Jake,
Saying that two things can be true at once, doesn’t make both things true. This induction is another example of Country Music trying to distance itself from rural America.
If you think Ray should be in the Hall on merit, then please explain the merit. This is the most wrong I’ve ever seen you be, respectfully.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:36 am
“This induction is another example of Country Music trying to distance itself from rural America.”
Look up Greenville, Florida on a map. Pop. 800.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:42 am
Trigger,
I swear to you, I almost included in parentheses the following in my reply to Jake.
(Yes I know Ray was born and raised a country boy, but that’s obviously not what I’m talking about, because he clearly was not a Country star)
August 16, 2021 @ 10:53 am
Trigger,
Furthermore, mainstream, pop America doesn’t know or consider Ray’s background. To them, he represents “Blackness”, which Country Music knows has been positioned as the mortal enemy of rural America, and is therefore trying to latch onto.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:57 am
Not sure how both things being true doesn’t make either one less true, but we need to go down a philosophical rabbit hole on that.
I’ll admit that I’m far from a country music historian, surely less knowledgeable than both Trigger and yourself. Personally I give bonus points to the fact that, as Trigger stated, he was in a sense an ambassador that had a lot of impact. Plus, I respect the risk he took.
However, I’ll admit, thanks to your question…. I’m not an expert, I don’t even know enough about other people that were passed up, and I don’t even really know the criteria. So I’ll change my statement from “he deserves it” to “I’m personally happy” to see it. And…I’ll further disqualify myself because I’m not big on awards or the HOF in the first place…I just always liked Ray.
I was going to say you should make your case, but I see you have below. Perhaps we aren’t all on agreement of what makes one “deserving” in the first place.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:09 am
Jake,
In regards to the philosophy thing, folks like to toss around the phrase, “Both things can be true at once.”, as an argument that both of the things being discussed are actually true, and then drop the mic as though that phrase in and of itself is a logical takedown.
What I’m saying is this: just because two things can be true at once, doesn’t mean they are necessarily both true. And I know you know that; I guess I just like to over-communicate for clarity.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:53 am
I agree, but didn’t think it was used as a takedown here.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:15 am
No they’re not. Stop yourself. What incredible impact? Quantify it. You can’t.
As related to Country Music:
Album sales? Nope.
Hits? Nope.
People trying to emulate his vocal style? Nope.
Songwriting? Nope.
He’s a great R&B star who who indulged himself by recording some C(c)ountry songs. That’s all.
The very idea that “inclusivity” is an actual virtue, as opposed to merely being an amoral consequence, is racist; and I don’t mean Raciiiist!. I just mean it’s racist.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:32 am
Ray Charles had more hits in country music than Marty Stuart who was inducted last year, or Kris Kristofferson, or other formal inductees in the main categories, as well as more sales. Sales and hits shouldn’t be the only resume points someone is judged on. But as I illustrated in the article proper, Ray Charles actually scores decently in this regard, especially when you consider he only released three country records.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:48 am
Kris Kristofferson should’ve been inducted as a songwriter.
Marty Stuart should’ve been inducted as a historian/preservationist, which is what I argued on here at the time, and got attacked for. I still stand by that.
August 16, 2021 @ 11:29 am
Trigger linked this in a past story. It references “criteria,” but provides none.
https://web.archive.org/web/20130707132833/http://country.cmaworld.com:80/info/hall-of-fame/procedure
You can’t really state a case when there isn’t any clear, or even vague criteria to measure. Even if there was, the anonymous voters are still flawed, politically motivated, have varying degrees of knowledge, and have their own personal preferences. One of the reasons I don’t take these things too seriously.
August 16, 2021 @ 2:35 pm
By what measure did Ray Charles have more country hits than Marty Stuart? My math may be off, but a quick glance at Wikipedia shows Marty with 18 top 40 country singles, and 15 charting LPs, vs. 8 top 40s/5 LPs for Ray Charles. As for Kristofferson, he wrote at least 19 charting songs. But, Ray Charles definitely had more than Rod Brasfield and Grandpa Jones.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:01 am
David Allan Coe is never, ever getting in. Neither is Johnny Paycheck. Hurts to finally acknowledge that.
August 16, 2021 @ 1:11 pm
I guess I can stop caring about who is in if those two will never get in. Two of my five favorites. I honestly didn’t know until this year that Ray a Charles was considered country by anyone, Hall of Famer? Probably not, but Joe Sewell(don’t waste your time looking him up) is in the baseball hall of fame so I guess anything can happen.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:19 am
Not sure how The Everly Brothers or Elvis forged music that led to Country Musics demise. When you talk about Don and Phil , usually people talk about the incredible harmony vocals the two had. Harnony vocals are huge in Country Music, from Louvin Brothers, Delmore Brothers, Stanley Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, Gatlin Brothers to Brooks and Dunn. If anything those boys inspired other acts to showcase vocal power.
Elvis was a HUGE country fan. His catalog includes a lot of Country and Gospel. The day he died he sang two songs in his rec building in Graceland, Unchained Melody and Blue Eyes Cryimg In the Rain. Check out the album From Elvis in Nashville, its a VERY Country record. And, honestly of all the Country artists i can think of, ive never heard of one that doesnt like Elvis.
What about Rockabilly music? Do you think its legit? Personally i view it as a cousin to Country music in the same way i see Bluegrass or Western Swing as another branch on the tree. Am i wrong?
August 16, 2021 @ 12:42 pm
Until they start inducting more than 1 candidate per year to balance out the backlog, they are never going to get it right
August 16, 2021 @ 12:48 pm
Exactly. Every inductee is going to be second guessed, and balanced against who didn’t get in.
August 16, 2021 @ 1:52 pm
Country music as a (commercial) format was born 98 years ago.
Fiddlin’ John Carson recorded the first song featuring vocals with “Little Log Cabin In The Lane”.
Instrumental tracks were recorded before (1922). “Hillbilly” music became a term in 1924.
1924 saw the release of the first country million seller “Wreck Of The Old 97” (Vernon Dalhart) & it was the year female artists released country tunes for the first time.
The HoF should be ashamed not having a category for the people who started country music.
The pioneers should be in the limelight. It’s the same with many early stars (in front & behind the camera) of silent cinema. Gone & forgotten…depressing & damn wrong.
Well..we are 2-3 decades away before the HoF will announce Lil Nas X as the newest member.
August 16, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
Wreck of Old 97 in the original form is better than 90% of the stuff 90% of the Hall of Famers have made. Lil Nas X gets in before David Allan Coe, don’t laugh, but just saying that almost makes me sick.
August 16, 2021 @ 4:37 pm
Call me crazy (well…) i listen to the ol’ stuff while watching early silent movies (Biograph, Kalem, Thanhouser, Balboa, Famous Players(-Lasky) & german, australian, scandinavian & russian studios).
When an artist like Ray Charles (who is not a country artist but a singer who sang country) can get in…David Allan Coe should be in too (& before pop/rock/soul/jazz/dance acts).
Coe, Paycheck, underdogs like Gary Stewart or forgotten artists like Johnny Lee.
He had #5 hits with “Looking For Love” becoming the hit of an era. The Urban Cowboy era was short…but it’s also part of the history of country music.
A Grammy nomination, a gold album, 30 singles on the charts, married to Lucy Ewing (it ended not in a good way), became a club owner…
…tried a comeback at the same time the bloodbath of the late eighties/early nineties killed the (commercial/charts) careers of many stars of the ’70s & ’80s (Ronnie Milsap, ETC, Janie Frick(i)e, Dan Seals…).
Why is Janie Frick(i)e not a member?
Unique voice, two time CMA winner, 10 #1 singles, a #1 album…she was country when country wasn’t cool too.
My personal choices are Tanya Tucker, Earl Thomas Conley & as songwriter Matraca Berg.
August 16, 2021 @ 4:43 pm
He had #5 hits…aarrgghh.
He had five #1 hits…
August 16, 2021 @ 8:59 pm
Don’t forget that Vernon dalhart (Wreck Of The Old 97) was also an opera singer…
August 17, 2021 @ 4:28 am
As a songwriter he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters HoF too.
VD was one of the first writers to get in (1970). Together with Jimmie Rodgers, Cindy Walker, A.P. Carter, Hank Sr., Merle Travis, Bob Wills & Fred Rose.
He recorded hundreds of songs before the release of “Wreck…” & used pseudonyms to release even more singles after the success of “Wreck…” on many different labels.
One of his tracks became a special kind of standard in the U.K. …it was used as the theme music for the BBC children radio program for 30 years.
August 17, 2021 @ 6:02 am
Also take a look at Carson Robison, also in the Nashville Songwriter Hall Of Fame: “probably the most recorded singer-songwriter in country music history. ”
Carson Robison was on early records by Vernon Dalhart and many others and also made thirty years of records as a lead artist. Carson Robison also made short films in London in the 1930s.
Ranger Doug Green of Riders In The Sky is writing a book about him.
August 16, 2021 @ 3:12 pm
Fiddlin’ John Carson was likely also the first to sing country music live on the radio (Atlanta, 1922).
August 16, 2021 @ 2:51 pm
Ray Charles was incredibly talented. His country albums are great. And he did more for country music than most current Nashville singers will ever do.
But let’s be real here: this decision was determined by a desire to look “woke” to the people that hate country music and who will never accept country music until it becomes something it isn’t. This wasn’t a merit decision.
If they were going to play the woke card, they should have inducted O. B. McClinton. He, at least, dedicated his musical career to country music. But I doubt most of the voters or any of the woke journalists whining about country music know his name.
People will think that this decision was fair. It wasn’t fair because it wasn’t based on merit but it was made in determination based on the color of skin. We have forgotten in our haste to appear PC this line: “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
It sullies the induction. Charles was a talented man. His induction should be based on merit and not woke points. His legacy deserves better.
August 16, 2021 @ 2:56 pm
And another thing with this induction, it is going to be hard for the HOF to argue against shortened careers moving forward. Keith Whitley’s supporters just got a good ace card to use.
August 16, 2021 @ 10:31 pm
I know you’re referring to his work as a solo artist, but Keith Whitley made a living in the music business for longer than Hall of Famers Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves or DeFord Bailey. Of course, the people who vote in the inductees things seem to have little enthusiasm for Ralph Stanley’s music and have probably never even heard of J.D. Crowe, so it’s doubtful that Whitley’s early work would help sell them on the idea.
August 18, 2021 @ 6:09 am
I know he did but I wonder how much of that matters for solo artists’ resumes? It reminds me of the Pro Football HOF. Head coaches resumes are solely judged by their head coaching results not their tenures as assistant coaches.
August 2, 2022 @ 11:25 am
Called it!
I know my stuff.
August 16, 2021 @ 3:32 pm
@CK
The H-o-F does not argue. Its voters (whoever they are) select people based on whatver criteria they want to use.
I personally don’t think the election of Ray Charles affects Keith Whitley’s candidacy a whit, but if you think you can persuade any voters that it should, then go for it.
August 2, 2022 @ 11:26 am
One year later.
🙂
August 16, 2021 @ 11:18 pm
The Judds ahead of Tanya Tucker, what a joke. Ray Charles inducted ahead of Jerry Lee Lewis, what a joke. Hank Jr. should of been inducted 20 years ago. The country music HOF is a joke. Waylon was right when he told the HOF to stick it. And why isn’t David Allen Coe and Billy Joe Shaver not in the HOF?
August 17, 2021 @ 7:40 am
Just gotta bring this up because nobody else is: One of the reasons The Judds might be going in right now is Naomi has been in very poor health for years. If you follow the logic of inducting these artists before they die, The Judds is a solid pick in the Modern Era category. The only other contenders in Modern Era were Tanya Tucker, Dwight Yoakam, and Larry Gatlin, all of whom are in fine health, and Keith Whitley who’s already dead. Don’t have a problem with The Judds. Tanya Tucker is very, very likely to be a nominees next year, either in the Modern or Veterans Era, likely the Veterans Era.
August 17, 2021 @ 11:38 am
Jerry Lee is not in the greatest of health either, Ray Charles has passed on. I’m a big Willie Nelson fan but don’t always agree with his views. Jerry Lee did more for country music than Ray Charles ever did. It’s also a joke that Billy Joe Shaver passed away last October and was never even considered for induction and yet they inducted an R&B singer. The HOF has no credibility with me.
August 17, 2021 @ 4:43 am
So – this is the second year in a row that the Inductees announcement made me question just how fair the election process is. The idea that these are votes from 300 individuals without agenda seems unlikely to me. Last year, it was Hank Jr just after his daughter tragically died in the car accident, and on a COVID year when news of his (long overdue) election would cause the fewest waves. And this year, when the Country music establishment, even more so than usual, benefits from a publicl display of diversity and inclusion, it’s Ray Charles. These elections seem to be far more coordinated than the HOF admits and are subject to criteria (or forces like the media and politics) they don’t publish. I can’t even imagine Ray Charles making the final ballot without significant pressure from power brokers in the industry. Not necessarily because he doesn’t deserve it (and that can be debated,) but because there are so many deserving actual Country artists that come to mind first and have supporters in the industry.
That said, I’m a Bocephus fan and really get a kick out of his duet with Ray, Two Old Cats Like Us.
August 17, 2021 @ 4:56 am
Vern Gosdin is one of the forgotten artists too.
Or Donna Fargo.
She wrote “The Happiest Girl In The Whole U.S.A.”. It was a monster hit.
It brought her a Grammy, a CMA award & a gold album.
Dottie West, Marty Robbins or Wanda Jackson recorded songs written by DF.
She had many follow-up hits like “Funny Face” (#1) or “That Was Yesterday” (#1).
In the ’80s her hits became (much) smaller & her last charted single was “Soldier Boy” in ’91.
My favourite Donna Fargo single is her duet with Billy Joe Royal (“Members Only” – a small hit in 1987).
Or Lacy J. Dalton…
August 17, 2021 @ 11:49 am
Billy Joe Shaver was one of the greatest songwriters of my generation and that alone should of been enough to get him in the Country music HOF but no they would rather induct an R&B cover singer in Ray Charles instead. It’s also an insult to Great singer/songwriter David Allen Coe.
August 18, 2021 @ 5:28 am
Willie Nelson has said that “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” is one of the most important country albums in history. And he also said that Ray did as much for country music as anyone, with that album breaking down walls between genres. If its good enough for Willie, its more than good enough for me.
August 18, 2021 @ 5:20 pm
You should really set higher standards for yourself.
August 2, 2022 @ 11:28 am
Appeal to authority is the tactic of small-minded people.
August 2, 2022 @ 11:55 am
You’re so smart. Thank god we have you arguing in these comment sections an entire year later because how else would we learn?