Country Music Hall of Fame Announces 2015 Inductees

country-music-hall-of-fameOn Wednesday morning (3-25) the Country Music Hall of Fame announced their 2015 inductees in a press conference held in the Country Music Hall of Fame rotunda in Nashville. Country Hall of Famer Brenda Lee hosted the event.

The Modern Era inductees were The Oak Ridge Boys, the Veterans Era inductees were The Browns, and the Musician inductee was Grady Martin. Grady’s son Joshua accepted the award for his deceased father.

“I’m as nervous as a mosquito in a nudist colony,” said Jim Ed Brown as he took the podium to address the assembled media and dignitaries. All three members of the Browns were in attendance to accept the induction. The formal induction ceremony will be held later this year.

Joe Bonsall was the first to speak for the Oak Ridge Boys, calling it “the most incredible honor that has ever been bestowed upon the Oak Ridge Boys…This is Cooperstown man, this is Canton, this is Cleveland, this is Nashville.”

The entire announcement ceremony can be seen below.

The Country Music Hall of Fame inductees are selected through a committee process appointed by the Country Music Association, or CMA. Since 2010, the selection process has been 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). In 2015, a musician was up for the distinction.

2015 Country Music Hall of Fame Picks & Prognostications

The Oak Ridge Boys – Modern Era

oak_ridge_boysAn American country and gospel quartet made up of Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard, Sterban, The Oak Ridge Boys are known for their lasting influence through their four-part harmonies. Beginning as a gospel band in the late 40’s, they became popular in the gospel realm in the 50’s, and remained in the discipline all the way up to the mid 70’s when they made the switch to country music. First known as the Oak Ridge Quartet, the Oak Ridge Boys hold a special place in the hearts of many country music listeners for their invaluable contributions like “Elvira,” and “(I’m Settin’) Fancy Free.” Their unique baritone, bass, tenor, and lead lineup contributed invaluably to the sound of country, and their influence in country and gospel music still lingers today.

The Oak Ridge Boys continue to tour and release music. They are also continue to be active members of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Browns – Veterans Era

the-brownsA family band consisting of brother Jim Ed Brown, and sisters Maxine and and Bonnie Brown, The Browns were a country and folk trio that rose to prominence in the mid and late 50’s, principally with their Grammy-nominated song “The Three Bells” which became a #1 hit on Billboard’s country and pop charts, and eventually sold over 1 million copies.

Formed in Pine Bluff, Arkansas after Jim Ed and Maxine signed a record deal as a singing duo, The Browns got their big break on Ernest Tubb’s radio show after singing their original song “Looking Back to See.” After the 18-year-old Bonnie graduated high school, she joined the act and they began performing regularly on the Louisiana Hayride and the Ozark Jubilee. As the family band continued to perform and release music, their prominence only grew, eventually making appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand. Some of the trios other hits included “Scarlet Ribbons,” “The Old Lamplighter,” and a version of “Blue Christmas.”

In 1965, Jim Ed Brown signed a solo contract with RCA and began to record and release music outside of The Browns band, including numerous successful hits. This slowly caused the band to dissolve, eventually disbanding officially in 1967. However over the years, The Browns have reunited on many occasions and continue to perform together today. Jim Ed Brown has become a mainstay of the Grand Ole Opry over the last few years, and also DJ’s a radio show. In 2015, he released a new album called In Style Again—his first record in 40 years.

Grady Martin – Musician

grady-martinNashville “A-Team” member, and monster country and rockabilly session guitarist, Thomas Grady Martin was a tower of musicianship in Nashville for nearly 50 years. Born in Chapel Hill, TN in 1929, he got his start performing regularly on WLAC in Nashville at the age if 15. He later joined Paul Howard’s Western swing group the Arkansas Cotton Pickers who played on the Grand Ole Opry, where Opry mainstay “Little” Jimmy Dickens saw Grady, and hired him for his band. Soon Grady Marin was a mainstay of country music.

Grady Martin played on “Coal Miner’s Daughter” and “El Paso.” He played with Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, and so many others. In the late 70’s, he was the touring lead guitarist in Willie Nelson’s band, appearing in the movie Honeysuckle Rose. Grady Martin was forced to retire in 1994 due to failing health, and he passed away on December 3rd, 2001 in Lewisburg, TN.

Saving Country Music’s Knee Jerk Reaction to the Inductees

Watch the Announcement:

Jim Ed Brown speaking at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys

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