| TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD Feb. 13, 1919 – Oct. 17, 1991
(elected 1990) Recognized for his smooth baritone voice. His most popular hit "Sixteen Tons" sold more than 4 million copies. Hosted prime time variety TV program "The Ford Show" from 1956 to 1961. |
 | BOUDLEAUX & FELICE BRYANT Boudleaux Bryant, Feb. 13, 1920 – June 25, 1987
Felice Bryant, Aug. 7, 1925 – April 22, 2003
(elected 1991) Songwriters with more than 1,500 songs recorded by more than 400 artists, the husband-and-wife team is unparalleled in the world of Country and pop. "Bye, Bye Love,""Rocky Top" and"Wake Up Little Susie" are among their hits. |
 | GEORGE JONES Sept. 12, 1931
(elected 1992) Nicknamed the Possum and heralded as one of the finest Country vocalists. Hits include "White Lightning," "She Thinks I Still Care," "The Grand Tour" and
"He Stopped Loving Her Today." Recorded successful duets with
Tammy Wynette. Won seven CMA Awards. |
 | FRANCES WILLIAMS PRESTON Aug. 24, 1934
(elected 1992) President and CEO of BMI from 1986 until her retirement in 2003. Nationally prominent in business and political circles. Assisted countless songwriters and music publishers in Country and other music genres. Lifetime member of the CMA Board. |
| WILLIE NELSON April 30, 1933
(elected 1993) Singer-songwriter who had 20 No. 1 hits and 114 chart singles between 1962 and 1993. Wrote "Crazy," "Funny How Time Slips Away," "Hello Walls" and "On the Road Again." Won nine CMA Awards including 1979 Entertainer of the Year. |
 | MERLE HAGGARD April 6, 1937
(elected 1994) Released 38 No. 1 hits, including "Mama Tried," "Today I Started Loving You Again," "Okie From Muskogee" and "Workin' Man Blues." A product of the more gritty Country sound of Bakersfield. Won six CMA Awards including 1970 Entertainer of the Year. |
 | ROGER MILLER Jan. 2, 1936 – Oct. 25, 1992
(elected 1995) Successful songwriter in the 1950s and then an artist in the '60s
with hits "Dang Me," "Me and Bobby McGee" and "King of the Road." Wrote score for "Big River" musical on Broadway. |
 | JO WALKER-MEADOR Feb. 16, 1924
(elected 1995) The former Executive Director of CMA. Credited with so many accomplishments including building the first Country Music Hall of Fame, securing national TV exposure for the CMA Awards and starting the CMA Music Festival (formerly Fan Fair). |
 | PATSY MONTANA Oct. 30, 1908 – May 3, 1996
(elected 1996) Known for her energetic voice and yodeling. Became the first female Country singer to have a huge hit with 1935's "I Wanna Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart." |
 | BUCK OWENS Aug. 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006
(elected 1996) A purveyor of the Bakersfield sound. Had hits with "Act Naturally," "My Heart Skips a Beat," "Think of Me" and "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail." Was a popular fixture on the TV show "Hee Haw." |
 | RAY PRICE Jan. 12, 1926
(elected 1996) Credited with developing a rhythmic brand of honky tonk music and later made the transition to The Nashville Sound. "Crazy Arms" spent 20 weeks at No. 1.
Other hits include "For the Good Times" and "I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)." |
 | HARLAN HOWARD Sept. 8, 1927 – March 3, 2002
(elected 1997) A successful songwriter from the 1950s through the 1990s. Had a string of hits, including "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail," "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down," "Heartaches by the Number" and "I Fall to Pieces." |
 | BRENDA LEE Dec. 11, 1944
(elected 1997) A professional singer from age 6, nicknamed Little Miss Dynamite. First No. 1 song was 1959 pop hit "Sweet Nothin's." Other hits include "I'm Sorry" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." |
 | CINDY WALKER July 20, 1918 – March 23, 2006
(elected 1997) Songwriter whose hits include "You Don't Know Me," "Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me" and "The Gold Rush Is Over." Appeared in short films and in two Gene Autry westerns. Recorded for Decca Records in 1944-45 and briefly toured. |
 | GEORGE MORGAN June 28, 1924 – July 27, 1975
(elected 1998) One of the smoothest voices in Country Music. The first song he recorded for Columbia Records, "Candy Kisses," became a No. 1 hit. Other hits followed,
including "Room Full of Roses" and "Rainbow in My Heart." |
 | ELVIS PRESLEY Jan. 8, 1935 – Aug. 16, 1977
(elected 1998) The King of Rock 'n' Roll had deep roots in Country Music. Much of his early success was on the Country charts with "That's All Right Mama," "Blue Moon of Kentucky" and "I Forgot to Remember to Forget." |
 | E.W. (BUD) WENDELL Aug. 17, 1927
(elected 1998) Served as President and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, which owned the Grand Ole Opry, Opryland Theme Park and the Opryland Hotel. Under his leadership Gaylord launched TNN and the Wildhorse Saloon, established Opryland Music Group Publishing and renovated the Ryman Auditorium. |
 | TAMMY WYNETTE May 5, 1942 – April 16, 1998
(elected 1998) Considered a pioneer for women in Country Music. Famous for hits "I Don't Wanna Play House," "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and "Stand by Your Man." Recorded duets with then husband George Jones in the early 1970s. Won three CMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. |
 | JOHNNY BOND June 1, 1915 – June 12, 1978
(elected 1999) Songwriter and musician. After getting his start on Gene Autry's
CBS "Melody Ranch" radio show in 1940, Bond had a long career that spanned 30 years. Hits include "Ten Little Bottles,"
"I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" and "Cimarron." |
 | DOLLY PARTON Jan. 19, 1946
(elected 1999) A trailblazer for women in Country Music. Former duet singer with Porter Wagoner, she went on to write and score many hits including "Jolene," "I Will Always Love You" and "Islands in the Stream." Star of film and TV. Founded Dollywood Amusement Park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., as well as Imagination Library that promotes early childhood literacy by donating free books to children from birth until age 5. Won nine CMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year in 1978. |
 | CONWAY TWITTY Sept. 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993
(elected 1999) Prolific hitmaker for four decades. Hits include "Hello Darlin',"
"It's Only Make Believe," "You've Never Been This Far Before,""Mona Lisa" and "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" with Loretta Lynn. They won four CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards. |