The Oak Ridge Boys, Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, and Grady Martin will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year during the annual Medallion Ceremony. The Oak Ridge Boys will be included in the Modern Era Artist category while Jim Ed Brown and The Browns will be inducted in the Veterans Era Artist category. Grady Martin was chosen to be part of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980 category.
“Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame is the highest honor achievable for a Country Music artist, songwriter, or industry leader and this year’s inductees are all highly deserving,” stated Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
“Today is an overwhelming day not just for me, but for the Brown family” said Jim Ed Brown. “Receiving this honor with my sisters, Maxine and Bonnie, is something I had dreamed about for years, but never knew if it would happen or not. Fame is fleeting, hit records change every week, award show winners and nominees change every year, but being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be forever!”
“The induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame is the highest honor I could ever imagine receiving,” added Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys. “It still gives me chills when I think about it really happening. I am humbled to the core. I know I speak for the other Boys when I say how grateful and honored we are to be chosen. I have seen tears in the eyes of Richard Sterban only two times. The first was when we were made members of the Grand Ole Opry. The second was when we were informed that we would be among the next inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Richard LOVES baseball, so, when we were about to depart, he turned around to me and said, ‘This is Cooperstown!’”
This year’s inductees will bring the total number of inductees to 127.
“We are in the business of celebrating legendary artists, and today we have the privilege of honoring a very special group of legendary artists, the class of 2015 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees,” said Kyle Young, Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “These remarkable entertainers – The Oak Ridge Boys; Jim Ed Brown and his sisters, Maxine and Bonnie; and the late, great guitarist Grady Martin – all represent quality and precision in their music. They exemplify harmony, whether in the blending of their magnificent voices, or in the tightly knit ensemble playing of an accomplished musician.”
-By Rebecca Murray
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