Ray Charles, The Judds, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Country Music Association announced Monday.
Charles joins as the annual Veteran Era artist, while The Judds receive the Modern Era Artist medallion. Bayers and Drake both earn induction in the triennial Recording/Touring musician category as the result of a tie vote – a rarity that last occurred in 2010.
MusicRow.com reports the 2021 class brings the total Country Music Hall of Fame inductees to 146. Inductees are chosen by CMA’s Hall of Fame Panels of Electors, an anonymous body chosen by the CMA Board of Directors.
Five-time Grammy, nine-time CMA and seven-time ACM Award-winning iconic duo, The Judds were announced as the inductees in the Modern Era Artist category.
“This moment takes me back to 1983 when Mom and I first started,” says Wynonna Judd. “We would get in the car and visit multiple radio stations a day. It kind of feels like I’ve hit the lottery. It is so surreal. John Lennon always said that he just wanted to be remembered, and now we’re truly part of history, or I should say HERstory. What an honor.”
R&B, pop, and country icon Ray Charles was inducted in the Veterans Era Artist category.
“I’d like to thank everyone who voted to induct Ray Charles into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” says Valerie Ervin, Ray Charles Foundation President. “Needless to say, Ray Charles loved Country Music. As a matter of fact, he risked a lot in 1962 when he decided to record Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music. I cannot express enough how happy and honored Ray Charles would be at this moment in time, as I am for him. Congratulations to all the fellow inductees and as Ray Charles would say, ‘That is so nice.’”
Eddie Bayers was selected for the honor in the Recording or Touring Musician category. Bayers is the first drummer inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“My heartfelt thanks to those who voted for me,” says Bayers. “I’ve been blessed to be a recording musician for 58 years, and it continues. I’ve been in the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Band for 18 years, and it continues. I’ve been in the Opry Band for 18 years, and it continues. Now I’m blessed to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, which will be everlasting.”
There was a tie in the Recording or Touring Musician category, and the late steel guitar player Pete Drake was also selected. Drake is the first pedal steel player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, as well.
“I am so happy for Pete to receive this well-deserved honor,” says Drake’s widow, Rose Drake, on behalf of the family. “We are deeply touched and honored for the great recognition of this unique and talented icon that enriched so many illustrious recordings with his special steel guitar tone and sound that distinguished itself, in hundreds of successful recordings.”
A formal induction ceremony for Bayers, Charles, Drake and The Judds will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater at a to-be-determined date.
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