Answering the Call From the Hall

Category:  News


The Country Music Hall of Fame class of 2011 was announced today via live webcast hosted by Kix Brooks.  The three new inductees will be:


Reba McEntire (modern):  One of the most popular female artists in country music history, Reba was discovered singing at a rodeo by Red Steagall.  She hasn't looked back since.


Jean Shepard (classic):  How fitting, just days before the 48th anniversary of the death of her husband Hawkshaw Hawkins, the grandest "grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry" is told she will be inducted this year.  Proudly, unashamedly country, her career spans nearly 60 years, going all the way back to a duet with last year's inductee Ferlin Husky, "A Dear John Letter."


Bobby Braddock (songwriter):  He began as Marty Robbins' piano player.  He ended up on the short list of people termed "songwriters' songwriter," thanks to songs ranging from the funny "Bleep You" by Cal Smith or "I Wanna Talk About Me" by Toby Keith to the heartbreaking "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones or "Time Marches On" by Tracy Lawrence to the sobering, frightening "Revelation" by Waylon Jennings.


Congratulations to the Hall of Fame class of 2011!