Hall Worthy

Last year, I posted the top twelve worthy inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sadly, the CMA only took one of my three suggestions: Glen Campbell, with the other two slots going to Alabama and DeFord Bailey. I seemed to have forgotten those new categories that allowed for more recent artists to become inductees. Oh well. Here’s the revised list for 2006:

Top Twelve Worthy Inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame
2006 Edition

1. Jimmy Bowen


As a record label president, he had the golden touch. He turned around the fortunes of Warner Bros., MCA and Capitol Nashville during his tenure at each respective label. When he sat in the producer’s chair, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr. and Reba McEntire became superstars, and artists ranging from Merle Haggard to Dean Martin mounted comebacks. His skills and successes were both impressive, but what makes him worthy of the Hall of Fame was his vision: he was the first major label president to switch to paying musicians double and triple scale; he was the first to cease production of vinyl records; and, most importantly, he was the torch-bearer for switching to all-digital recording. He also was a powerful voice for artists having a say in their own music; Strait & McEntire are still superstars today because of the lessons they learned from Jimmy Bowen. He’s never been popular in Nashville, but his impact is undeniable.

2. Rodney Crowell


There will come a time when historians will argue that Rodney Crowell was the greatest country songwriter that ever lived, but for now, I’ll make the less controversial claim that he’s the greatest one to come along in the last thirty years. He’s a pretty damn good artist, too, along with a top-notch producer, but he is definitely writing himself into the Hall of Fame. Beginning with his early and continuous association with Emmylou Harris, who can rightly claim she discovered him, his list of classics have continued to grow: “Til I Gain Control Again”, “Please Remember Me”, “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me”, “Leavin’ Louisiana In The Broad Daylight”, “Ashes By Now”, right up to the recent Keith Urban #1 “Making Memories Of Us.” The dirty secret is that artists with good taste have learned to just wait until Crowell has released a new album, and find their future hits on it. His songwriting prowess is still somehow growing; his latest series of albums, particularly The Outsider, show he is still a force to be reckoned with, perhaps now more than ever.

3. Chet Flippo


As a senior editor of Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970’s, Flippo’s work was pivotal in elevating the national profile of the country outlaw movement. By covering Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings on the same level as The Rolling Stones and Crosby, Stills & Nash, the renegades of that generation of country music were given access to a fan base that would embrace them, even though they’d cringe at the rest of the music dominating NashVegas. Flippo has continued to have an impact on country music, through his work at Billboard magazine to his current recurring column, Nashville Skyline at CMT.com, in addition to preserving the history of the genre with excellent biographies, particularly You’re Cheatin’ Heart, the story of Hank Williams. But the most important impact remains his creation of a group of consumers who “hate country music” but like Waylon, Johnny & Willie. This segment still exists today, as people who will claim the same thing buy Alison Krauss, Lucinda Williams and Lyle Lovett records.

4. Tom T. Hall


The classic country story-teller, Tom T. Hall was responsible for some of the best story songs in the history of the genre. His observational style of writing managed to capture large truths in the telling of small details. A story about a widowed mother in a mini-skirt being shamed by the Harper Valley P.T.A. made a much larger statement about the hypocrisy of the “do as I say, not as I do” authority figures of the late sixties; his own hit “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” became a universal expression of affection for the “Clayton Delaney” in any person’s childhood. His songs are still being revived today; as recently as 1996, Alan Jackson scored a huge hit with Tom’s “Little Bitty”. He belongs beside Roger Miller and Harlan Howard in the Hall of Fame.

5. Emmylou Harris


The gold standard of musical integrity, Emmylou Harris is the most significant female artist not currently in the Hall of Fame. Beginning her career as the harmony singer for Gram Parsons, her solo work has been distinguished by impeccable song selection, flawless musicianship and vocals beyond reproach. From her 1975 debut Pieces of the Sky to her most recent album, 2003’s Stumble Into Grace, Harris has forged an independent musical path that has crossed ways with traditional country, bluegrass, rock, blues and southern gospel. She has the most consistent album catalog of any country music artist in history, and has raised the bar for every artist to come along since.

6. Wanda Jackson


The rockabilly queen is long overdue for acknowledgement of her key role in creating that genre. While touring with (and dating) Elvis Presley, she was inspired by him to begin cutting rockin’ country records like “Let’s Have A Party”, “Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad!” and the mind-boggling “Fujiyama Mama.” She was a firebrand on stage, growling into the microphone while she shook her assets in a barely-there dress. She knocked down doors for the way women in country music could express themselves on record and on stage. Without her precedent, you don’t have the ferocious vocals of Brenda Lee, Tanya Tucker and Wynonna Judd, or the confidently sexual attitudes of Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

7. Ronnie Milsap


A legend in his own time, blind pianist Ronnie Milsap racked up an incredible 35 #1 hits during his superstar run in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He infused his country with more than a little bit of soul and sixties pop, producing melodic songs that embedded in the memory. His commercial success is the primary reason he belongs in the Hall, but his talent shouldn’t be underestimated; his virtuoso piano playing was leagues above ordinary.

8. Jerry Reed


A brilliant instrumentalist first, he’s probably the greatest artist-musician not already in the Hall of Fame. Check out “The Claw” if you’re doubting his guitar prowess. Reed is also second only to Hall-of-Famer Roger Miller in the history of country music’s musical comedians. His hilarious records like “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot”, “Lord Mr. Ford” and “She Got the Goldmine (I Got The Shaft)” slipped in clever social commentary; he may be singing in the voice of a fool, but there’s wisdom in those characters he created.

9. Kenny Rogers


Country music’s first genuine, bona fide superstar. He was the first country artist to experience stratospheric sales, regularly selling multi-platinum at his peak. Many country artists have songs cross over, but Kenny Rogers was a legitimate pop star, having massive success with “Lady” and “The Gambler”, and dueting with everyone from Kim Carnes to Sheena Easton. Before Garth, there was nobody bigger than Kenny. He’s long overdue for the Hall of Fame.

10. The Statler Brothers


This vocal quartet was the traditional bedrock of country music, their four-part harmonies embracing songs of nostalgia for the old days and gospel tunes of yore. They won CMA Vocal Group of the Year an astonishing nine times, and were ambassadors for the format on TNN in the early 90’s. Ever since their debut smash “Flowers On The Wall” in 1966, they have been an integral part of country music history. As the most successful vocal group (in the purest sense), with an endless list of hits, they belong in the Hall.

11. Mel Tillis


Mel Tillis
is one of the most successful pre-1975 acts that isn’t in the Hall of Fame yet. This former Entertainer of the Year scored hit after hit for 20 years, but contemporary fans are more likely to know him as Pam Tillis’ dad. In truth, a lot of his recorded work isn’t very memorable – daughter certainly outshined daddy in that regard – but his songwriting catalog is legendary, including such standards as “Heart Over Mind”, “Honey, Open That Door”, “I Ain’t Never”, “Detroit City” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town.” He also wrote the very progressive “Mental Revenge” and “Unmitigated Gall”, which also turned into hits. It’s for his pen more than his voice that he deserves the plaque. Pick up Pam’s tribute album to Dad’s songs (It’s All Relative) and you’re sure to agree.

12. Hank Williams, Jr.


After having fifty chart hits, and falling off a mountain, Williams seized control of his music and created a music and persona that is still iconic today. His hard-drinking, party animal sound created a persona completely different from his legendary father; it’s safe to assume that non-country fans are more familiar with Hank Jr. than his daddy. He’s the only major outlaw to not receive this honor; for his impressive body of work, from “Family Tradition” to “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”, he’s due.

8 Comments

  1. I mostly agree with your list, although I have reservations about Jimmy Bowen. On the theory that you should honor the living before they die the CMHOF needs to get off it’s butt and get Connie Smith, Sonny James and Jean Shepard inducted first. I would put all three in before considering any of the people on your list

    Wanda Jackson is an odd case – her influence as a country artist is minmal – she belongs in the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame and is in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame already. Her omission here wouldn’t bother me

    Flippo and Robert K. Oermann (not named on your list) both are worthy

    My list in order of precedence:

    1) Connie Smith – the best female singer ever
    2) Jean Shepard
    3) Sonny James
    4) Mel Tillis
    5) Tom T. Hall
    6) The Statler Brothers
    7) Emmylou Harris
    8) Ronnie Milsap
    9) The Oak Ridge Boys
    10) Dallas Frazier – probably the greatest songwriter not named Merle Haggard of Harlon Howard
    11) Hank Williams Jr
    12) Chet Flippo

    future consideation
    Robert K, Oermann
    Wanda Jackson
    Rodney Crowell
    Jerry Reed
    Ray Stevens
    Jerry Clower
    Wynn Stewart (if Wynn were still alive, he’d be in my top five)

  2. Tucker is amazing, though I don’t think she ever reached the dizzying heights of those early, almost southern gothic singles again over the rest of her storied career.

  3. I forgot about Reba Mc & Barbara Mandrell because their later output was so contrived that I quit listening to them, but I really expect both to be inducted in the next 3-5 years. Barbara Mandrell may have been the most talented female country musician ever

  4. Those on the list deserve to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Three on your list will be inducted in 2008 Tom T. Hall, Emmylou Harris, and the Statler Brothers. Mel Tillis was inducted in 2007. Many more will be inducted since the inductees have been split from three eras or categories each year.

  5. Well Emmylou, Mel, And Tom T. have all been since inducted. Which is great but some of you are forgetting some people who deserve the hall of fame honor.
    1. Connie Smith
    2. Crystal Gayle
    3. Ronnie Milsap
    4. Dottie West
    5. Jean Shepard
    all of these have made long and great contributions and its time they where honored.

  6. I forgot to mention one other important lady who deserves the hall of fame honor. Anne Murray! so lets go over the people who need to be in the hall of fame
    1. Connie Smith
    2. Crystal Gayle
    3. Anne Murray
    4. Ronnie Milsap
    5. Dottie West
    6. Jean Shepard

  7. I am going to update my list again to who i think needs to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    I Think Connie Smith, Ronnie Milsap and Crystal Gayle would be a great 2011 inductee list.

    but here are the people who need to be in there.

    1. Connie Smith
    2. Crystal Gayle
    3. Ronnie Milsap
    4. Jean Shepard
    5. Dottie West
    6. Dallas Frazier
    7. Jack Greene
    and Anne Murray

    in a couple of years i think
    Reba McEntire, Wanda Jackson Jim Ed Brown others maybe Randy Travis or Ricky Sckaggs Lee Greenwood some of those.

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