This year's inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame are The Judds, Ray Charles, and musicians Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake, it was announced yesterday (Monday, August 16th) by Reba McEntire during a press conference held virtually from the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Bayers and Drake tied and will both be inducted in the “Recording and/or Touring Musician” category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the “Non-Performer” and “Songwriter” categories. Charles will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category and The Judds will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category.
According to Wynonna Judd, this moment seemed long overdue for her and her mother, Naomi Judd. She told reporters: “As a daughter, 20 years is about damn time. That's what everyone has said including relatives (Naomi) Oh, man! (Wynonna) As an artist, it's wonderful to be included in the family of Country, and as a believer I thank God for my gift, and as an American, it's just wonderful to celebrate anything. (Naomi) Yeah. (Wynonna) You know, to show up and say thank you. (Naomi) That's a good point right now. We need that, don't we? (Wynonna) Mmm hmm.”
A formal induction ceremony for the inductees will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater at a to-be-determined date.