Artists Who Should Be Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Part 1: Have It Your Way

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/

Artists Who Should Be Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Billy Walker (Billy (1/14/1929 ~ 5/21/2006): Billy is best-known for "Charlie's Shoes" (No. 1, 1962). Walker had more than 30 charted songs during a nearly 60-year career and was a staple on the Grand Ole Opry.

Bobby Bare (b. Apr 7, 1935): Bare's big break in country music came when RCA Records' Chet Atkins signed him. The first song he released on the label was Shame on Me in 1962. His second release, Detroit City, was his first top-10 country single.

Cal Smith (b. 4/ 07/1932): Cal got his initial breakthrough as a rhythm guitarist with Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours. Smith is best known for his 1974 hit Country Bumpkin.

Charlie Walker (Nov. 2, 1926 ~ Sep. 12/2008): Charlie's career was highlighted with his best known single, Pick Me Up on Your Way Down. Walker was a member of the Grand Ole Opry from 1967 until his death.

Connie Smith (b. Aug 14, 1941): Connie began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest. Smith subsequently signed with RCA Records (1964) and charted her biggest No. 1 single that year, Once a Day.

Dave Dudley (May 3, 1928 ~ Dec. 22, 2003): Dave was a country music singer best-known for his truck-driving country anthems of the 1960s and. His signature song was Six Days on the Road.

Dottie West (Oct. 11/1932 ~ Sep. 4, 1991): Dottie was one of the most gifted and talented pioneers of modern country music. West was one of a few female country singers, performing in a genre which was then dominated by male artists. She is best remembered for "Country Sunshine."

Jim Ed Brown (b. Apr.1, 1934) is a country music singer who achieved fame in the 1950s with his two sisters as a member of The Browns. He later had a successful solo career from 1965 to 1974, followed by a string of major duet hits with Helen Cornelius through 1981.

Johnny Horton (Apr. 30, 1925 ~ Nov. 5, 1960): Of all the singers who broadened the country music landscape in the 1950s, Horton is probably the least known. Johnny, who made his name as a honky-tonk singer, rose to fame with The Battle of New Orleans in 1959.

Mel Street (Oct. 21, 1933 ~ Oct. 21, 1978): Mel came into prominence in 1972 with Borrowed Angel, which was Mel's debut single. By the time it had worked its way up to the No. 7 spot, it was a brilliant start to Mel's tragically short career.

Red Sovine (Jul. 17, 1918 ~ Apr. 4, 1980): Red was the last giant of country music's truck driving singers. He trekked through the country music world for decades as a modest singer, but it was the song that hit before his death, Teddy Bear, which he will always be remembered.

Stonewall Jackson (b. Nov. 6, 1932): Stonewall was one of the most popular stars of the early 1960s, scoring a string of top-ten hits and becoming a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry. Jackson is best known for his popular single Waterloo.

Vern Gosdin (Aug 5, 1934 ~ Apr. 28, 2009): As country music briefly returned to traditional styles in the 1980s, Vern rose to the top of the charts and notched several hits. He is best remembered as The Voice of country music.

Wynn Stewart (Jun 7, 1934 ~ Jul. 17, 1985): Wynn was among country music's most magnificent entertainers to come out of the West Coast circuit. His music influenced both Merle Haggard and Buck Owens. Wynn is best remembered for the single, It's Such a Pretty World Today.

Also: Al Dexter, Gene Watson, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Paycheck, Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, Spade Cooley, Tanya Tucker, Tommy Duncan, Wilburn Brothers.

Will being convicted of Murder keep Spade Cooley out?

RJB: Country Music Historian, July, 2011. References: Record Research: Country Music Singles 1944 -- 1993; Billboard Magazine; RJB: Original Country Music Chronicles

Category:

Music

Tags:

• DD

[glipzik]

@flashbell, Personally I like Wynn Stewart but if you induct everyone who ever made a dent in country music they would have to build a 50 story musem. I think there are much more deserving artists and the hall should be reserved for the truly great. Don't you think Ricky Skaggs falls into that catagory? Another I forgot to mention who exemplifies what country music is all about is Patty Loveless. I consider her among the greatest female country artistsof all time.

[flashbell]

@glipzik, , I added Skaggs to the list, but I don't agree with Lovelace. In order to be in the Country Music HOF, you have to be a country music singer. TY.

[glipzik]

The only one on that list I agree with is Jim Ed Brown. There are more notables that have never achieved their due respect. Here are a few

Al Dexter. The only reason I can figure out is he was overlooked so long they are ashamed to be exposed by inducting him now

Jimmy Wakely, So many great C&W classic recordings and a great cross over artist throughout the 40's and early 50's. HOF member Johnny Bonds early partner.

Ricky Skaggs, musical genious from the age of 7. A no brainer for induction

[flashbell]

@glipzik , You don't think Wynn Stewart belongs in the HOF? Where would Merle Haggard and Ralph Mooney careers gone without Wynn Stewart.

[Katietoo]

Thanks for this exposure of lack of recognition by Country Music Hall of Fame of some great stalwarts of the country music industry. Their popularity was initially founded on their talents, being 'poppy' and fitting the modern 'glam' looks were all bonuses. Perhaps the other 39 (so far) viewers of this upload, could come back and support their recognition by giving a thumbs up as a show of solidarity and agreement to the injustice and to your efforts ......

[flashbell]

@Katietoo , Thank you!

[44Snyder]

Jerry Reed. Guitarist extroidinaire, singer, song writer, actor. I can't believe he's not in the HOF.

[ATSF1927]

I agree, Dave Dudley, Red Sovine and so many others. Nashville has gotten hard headed and the public to forget the past.

[highnrising]

@flashbell Oh, please.

One gets into the H-o-F for what one accomplished oneself--not because one happened to be cited as an early influnece on someone else who is in the hall.

Wynn Stewart may have been a nice guy and may have been a great talent, for all I know, but his accomplishments in country music are way short of h-o-f level.

[glipzik]

@flashbell,

That insult was uncalled for. If you don't like Patty fine, but to imply that she is not a country music singer is just ignorance. ty

[wagnerduane36]

I would add Tommy Collins.A great singer and songwriter.

[biltom]

Today's country music is so sorry, it is pure....well I will be polite and only say it all lacks talent. I avoid all of todays so called country music.....

[biltom]

@glipzik ...no no , none there belong....Dave Dudley belongs for sure