Comments on: Discussion: Kennedy Center Honors

By: Patty

Patty — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:10:26 +0000

Definitely Merle Haggard…and at some point, Kris Kristofferson – one of the all time greatest songwriters…

By: juanitamagic

juanitamagic — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 04:53:17 +0000

I would like to see Charley Pride get some of the recognition he so rightly deserves. He was one of the first Country Music Pioneers that helped to transcend genres and races. Also, why hasn’t anyone mentioned Tanya Tucker. Her voice is so unique and wonderful. Even though she is not recognized for it, she was also a cross-over entertainer. She is totally outspoken and she was singing way beyond her years when she was just a teenager. Taylor Swift couldn’t hold a candle to her. Those are my picks.

By: Diamond

Diamond — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:00:35 +0000

Reba because of her success in music, theater and TV. She’s the whole package.

By: angela johns

angela johns — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:33:05 +0000

It’s not just an honor for Americans. Roger Daltry and Pete Townsend are honorees this year. Sean Connery, Paul McCartney and Elton John are past honorees.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:57:51 +0000

do they honor groups? What about The Statler Brothers or Alabama?

Charley Pride is of course deserving too

By: Paul W Dennis

Paul W Dennis — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 10:12:56 +0000

It was absolutely criminal that the Kennedy Center never got around to honoring Eddy Arnold during his lefetime (and he lived to be 89 years 51 weeks old

Kitty Wells
Merle Haggard
Barbara Mandrell
Emmylou Harris
George Strait
Charlie Louvin

would all be worthy honorees

By: Steve from Boston

Steve from Boston — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:49:16 +0000

You know I gotta go with Loretta’s cousin Patty!

Ms. Loveless honored her cousin a while back at the Kennedy Center by singing a wonderful version of Coal Miner’s Daughter for her, and this CMD from Pikeville deserves to be honored as well.

I think it’s only a matter of time, Patty’s already one of the great active veterans of Country music, a national treasure, IMO. And her voice just keeps getting even better with the years. (Patty’s voice has been described as a “mountain bred wonder” by one critic).

She is a stalwart of Tradition, and has already contributed a legend’s share to enrich the genre. By my reckoning, Patty Loveless is the best thing to happen to Country music in her generation…But I’m just echoing music critic Thom Jurek in this, who once stated that “Loveless is the best of her generation”.

I think Patty is already beginning to be recognized as one of our living legends, just check out all the extremely favorable reviews for Sleepless Nights, the critics are using pretty much every superlative to describe Patty and her work.

And her legend unfolds even as she follows her heart and continues to make the music she loves.

I believe history will vindicate her vision even further, reward her for her artistic integrity, and seal her place among the timeless ones of Country Music.

I don’t know if Patty should receive the Kennedy Center Honors next, but very soon, she should be “standing there to be the next in line”

She is almost there.

By: Erik North

Erik North — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:42:29 +0000

Linda Ronstadt–her musical diversity spans the entire spectrum of American popular music, including, may I add, traditional and modern country music (IMHO).

By: Lauren

Lauren — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:53:42 +0000

Reba!!! She deserves it. After all of these years she is by my definition the most powerful women in country music and last year was Billboard’s women of the year. Need I say more. Even they picked her, the Queen of Country.

By: Dan Milliken

Dan Milliken — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 23:31:38 +0000

Absolutely Haggard. I hate to be blunt about it, but he won’t be around forever. After him it’s a bit of a tough call. I can’t think of anyone else alive who quite rises to the iconic tier of those who have already been honored. If you stepped down a bit, Glen Campbell, Charley Pride, Kitty Wells, Reba and Strait would all be solid choices. It’s a shame Eddy Arnold passed, because he would have been a great pick, too.