The Country Music Association announced three newly elected inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Charlie Daniels will be inducted in the Veteran’s Era category. Fred Foster will be inducted in the Non-Performer category. Randy Travis will be the 2016 inductee in the Modern Era category.
Daniels said he was shocked to learn the news this morning during the press conference which was held in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s rotunda.
There’s no way to work towards this goal,” he admits of his induction. “I can’t think of a bigger honor to be given to anybody who loves country music. this is the cherry on top of the icing. I’m very humbled to think about the shoulders I stand on and the artists who blazed a trail on millions of miles of two-lane blacktop.”
Foster who is known for helping to aid in the successful careers of Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison, was also surprised to be named the Recording/Touring Musician of 2016.
To say that I thought this day would never come would be an understatement,” Foster stated. “You don’t dream about things like this if you’re involved in country music every day and you get into the Country Music Hall of Fame. You can’t get any higher than that. You’re at the top of the mountain and the view can’t get any better up here.”
He added… “I’ve always been a big dreamer but this is too big. You wouldn’t dream this unless you were crazy. I’m honored beyond belief.”
Travis took the stage to a standing ovation during his induction of the Modern Era catergory. He was able to get his “thank you” out, but his wife was there as well to be Travis’ voice at the ceremony.
He lived and he loved the songs that he wrote and the songs that he sang,” she explained as Travis stood beside her. “He’s a man of great courage. He’s kind, he’s gentle and he has God given talents. He’s honored beyond words to join the Hall of Fame.”
These artists will be inducted during a special Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater later this year.
During the Medallion Ceremony, friends and colleagues pay tribute to each inductee through words and song. Bronze plaques honoring each inductee are unveiled, to be displayed later in the museum’s rotunda.
The Academy of Country Music also announced Crystal Gayle,Tanya Tucker, and The Statler Brothers will be honored with the “Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award” during the 10th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards. The event will take place in the fall at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Past recipients of the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award include Alabama, Bob Beckham, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, George Jones, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jerry Reed, Tex Ritter, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Billy Sherrill, Ricky Skaggs, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Conway Twitty, Porter Wagoner, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Wills and Dwight Yoakam, among others.
