 | BILL MONROE Sept. 13, 1911 – Sept. 9, 1996
(elected 1970) The Father of Bluegrass. Recognized for his mandolin playing and high-pitched vocals. Hits include "Raw Hide," "Uncle Pen," "Jerusalem Ridge" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky." |
 | ORIGINAL CARTER FAMILY A.P. Carter, Dec. 15, 1891 – Nov. 7, 1960
Maybelle Carter, May 10, 1909 – Oct. 23, 1978
Sara Carter, July 21, 1898 – Jan. 8, 1979
(elected 1970) Known as the First Family of Country Music and played in first commercial recording sessions at Bristol. Their songs, "Anchored in Love," "Keep on the Sunny Side," "Wildwood Flower" and "Wabash Cannonball," are Country standards. |
 | ARTHUR EDWARD SATHERLEY Oct. 19, 1889 – Feb. 10, 1986
(elected 1971) Uncle Art was steeped into the traditions of Anglo-Celtic folk art. As a talent scout, he produced such greats as Roy Acuff, Gene Autry and Bob Wills. |
 | JIMMIE H. DAVIS Sept. 11, 1899 – Nov. 5, 2000
(elected 1972) Songwriter and performer who had hits with "Nobody's Darling but Mine," "Suppertime" and "You are My Sunshine." Appeared in five feature films in the 1940s. Was elected governor of Louisiana in 1944. |
 | CHET ATKINS June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001
(elected 1973) Instrumentalist, producer and recording executive. Helped in creating The Nashville Sound, a more polished Country style. Won a record nine CMA Instrumentalist (now Musician) of the Year Awards. Headed RCA Records Nashville division from the 1950s through the '70s. |
 | PATSY CLINE Sept. 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963
(elected 1973) The most recognizable female voice in Country Music, and one of its most influential singers. Hits include "Crazy," "I Fall to Pieces" and "Walking After Midnight." |
 | OWEN BRADLEY Oct. 21, 1915 – Jan. 7, 1998
(elected 1974) Producer and recording studio owner. One of the producers who developed The Nashville Sound, infusing pop sounds into Country. Contributed to the careers of Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and more. |
 | FRANK "PEE WEE" KING Feb. 18, 1914 – March 7, 2000
(elected 1974) Wrote or co-wrote more than 400 songs, including "Tennessee Waltz" and "Slow Poke," and appeared in several Hollywood films. One of the first Country artists to cross over to pop. Also successful as a music publisher, promoter and manager. |
 | MINNIE PEARL Oct. 25, 1912 – March 4, 1996
(elected 1975) A comedienne and member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years. Signature style included her hat with price tag attached and the salutation, "How-DEE!" |
 | PAUL COHEN Nov. 10, 1908 – April 1, 1970
(elected 1976) An executive with Decca Records, helped establish the careers of Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Webb Pierce and Kitty Wells among others. One of the first to recognize potential of Nashville as a recording center. |
 | KITTY WELLS Aug. 30, 1919
(elected 1976) Pioneer artist who brought the women's point of view to Country Music. Performed with duo Johnny & Jack in the 1940s. Recorded biggest hit, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" as an answer to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life." |
 | MERLE TRAVIS Nov. 29, 1917 – Oct. 20, 1983
(elected 1977) Guitarist, songwriter, guitar designer, author, singer, actor and cartoonist. Had No. 1 hits with "Divorce Me C.O.D.," "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed" and "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)." |
 | GRANDPA JONES Oct. 20, 1913 – Feb. 19, 1998
(elected 1978) A Grand Ole Opry favorite and accomplished banjo player. Gained national notoriety on TV show "Hee Haw." Got his nickname in radio at 22 because of his gruff and grouchy on-air voice. |
 | HUBERT LONG Dec. 3, 1923 – Sept. 7, 1972
(elected 1979) Influential manager, publicist and talent booker. Worked with stars including Eddy Arnold, Webb Pierce and Faron Young. Set up one of Nashville's first independent booking agencies. |
 | HANK SNOW May 9, 1914 – Dec. 20, 1999
(elected 1979) Had 85 singles on the charts from 1949 to 1980. Has one of the biggest discographies in Country Music with 840 recordings. Hits include "I'm Movin' On," "Blue Velvet Band," "Galveston Rose" and "My Blue River Rose." |