Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Country
Music Association) - The Country
Music Association announced today that Roy Clark,
Barbara Mandrell, and Charlie McCoy will become the newest members of the coveted Country
Music Hall of Fame.
Clark will be inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975" category. Mandrell will be the fifth artist inducted in the "Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present" category, which was created in 2005. McCoy will be inducted in the "Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980" category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the "Non-Performer" and "Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II" categories.
"Barbara, Charlie and Roy are truly deserving of Country Music's biggest honor and the opportunity to join the legendary artists and musicians who have already been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Barbara and Roy are both among our format's greatest ambassadors due to their numerous hit singles, national television series, versatile musicianship, live concert appearances, acting opportunities, and mainstream recognition. And Charlie's musical talents have enriched every recording on which has performed, making him an irreplaceable part of America's music."
Clark, Mandrell, and McCoy will be officially inducted at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Medallion Ceremony, which takes place during an annual springtime reunion of the Hall of Fame membership. Since 2007, the Medallion Ceremony has served as the official rite of induction for new members.
"The music created by the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees collectively reflects the European and African musical forms and traditions that are the bedrock of Country Music" said Kyle Young, Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. "Roy, Charlie and Barbara - each in their own way - have nodded to tradition to create music relevant to the first generations of the space age and they have helped to extend the footprint of Country Music and American culture around the world. These are three of the 20th Century's most important artists. We offer our congratulations and we look forward to celebrating these meaningful lives and careers in a few weeks at their official induction."
The announcements were made this morning at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during a press conference hosted by Genovese. Clark was introduced by his friend, Country Music Hall of Fame member Carl Smith; Mandrell was introduced by her sister Louise Mandrell; and McCoy was introduced by his friend, Country Music Hall of Fame member Mel Tillis.
"It makes you proud to be considered in that league," said Clark. "I never thought about being in the Hall of Fame before because you're busy working in your career. Never thought I would be there. Then when you are selected it makes you stop and think. I'm now in a pretty exclusive club that includes Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Little Jimmy Dickens, among many others. The proudest part of my induction into the Hall of Fame is that I'm now associated with all of my friends and heroes."
"I am eternally grateful to be joining those honored in the Country Music Hall of Fame who I admire and hold in the highest esteem," said Mandrell. "I thank God for my blessings every day because I realize how very fortunate I am to have such loving family, friends, and fans who took my career to places that I could never have even imagined. Since age 11, I've been privileged to have lived my life as a Country Music entertainer."
"When I started playing sessions, all I ever wanted to do was perform on these legendary artists' records," said McCoy. "And now, to be included in the same place that they are is beyond my wildest dreams."
