I have always been disappointed that Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins are not in the Country Music Hall Of Fame! Don't get me wrong Patsy definitely belongs there because she kicked down every door keeping woman singers out of country music and proved a woman could be more than a girl singer in a man's band but Cowboy Copas was the biggest star that died on March 5th 1963 and because so many people were killed in separate accidents in 1963 there were no inductions to the Country Music Hall Of Fame so there would be no sympathy inductions! Remember Not only were Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Randy Hughes killed but so were Jack Anglin in an automobile accident going to Patsy's funeral and Texas Ruby in a mobile home fire!
I think we need about 5 years in a row that to play catch up and induct these artists! Archie Campbell Boxcar Willie Carl Butler and Pearl Cousin Jody Cowboy Copas Crook Brothers David Houston Del Reeves Freddie Hart Gary Stewart Gene Watson George Hamilton IV Goldie Hill Gram Parsons Hawkshaw Hawkins Homer and Jethro Humphrey Bates Jack Greene Jan Howard Jerry Clower Jimmy Wakley Johnnie & Jack Johnny Horton Johnny Paycheck Justin Tubb Lew Childre Little Joe Carson Liz Anderson Lonzo and Oscar Lynn Anderson Maddox Brothers & Rose Margie Singleton Martha Carson Melba Montgomery Moon Mullican Norma Jean Rose Maddox Roy Drusky Sam & Kirk Magee Skeeter Davis Stonewall Jackson Texas Ruby The Wilburn Brothers, Uncle Jimmy Thompson Wanda Jackson Warner Mack Wilma Lee Cooper Wynn Stewart
Thank you Duke for the most impressive list you have shared with us here on the Forum. A bit of time for sure to get all these names. Your point is spot on for your list of artists that for one reason or another (that I will NEVER figure out) have not been inducted.
Case in point for me is your mention of Johnny Horton. I will never understand this deliberate snub from someone so deserving. I did read a few years ago, when I was trying to make sense of exactly what qualifications an artist needs to be considered. It was mentioned that if you were not a member of the "Grand Ole Opry" you would not be eligible. Johnny Horton was inducted only into the "Louisiana Hay Ride' . Ok, well that kind of made sense (but did not agree) until I read that in 2001, Homer and Jethro were inducted into the CMHF, despite not being members of the Opry and only having two top ten Country hits.
The question then becomes ..Are only pure Country artists considered.. which would make perfect sense to me.. after all it IS the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Well, I guess not according to an article I just read on-line. Quote .. "Even artists who may not primarily be identified as Country Music singers such as Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee and the Everly Brothers have been inducted".
The more I try to make sense in the selection process, the more disjointed this becomes.
I guess the 'icing on the cake' has to be Dolly Parton being recently inducted into the "Rock And Roll Hall of Fame" over her objections. Yeah, she was Country all the way.
Larry, could add to any of this that it would make sense. Thank you and confused ....
I heard it took a while to get Webb Pierce in the Country Music Hall Of Fame, He was most deserving but because he had turned his back on the country music establishment when he left the Grand Ole Opry it took awhile for him to get in the Country Music Hall Of Fame! I honestly think the Country Music Hall Of Fame gears membership towards younger members and if they do not know who the older deceased member who deserves membership they wont get in!
Brenda Lee was most country after the late 1960's and recourded some fine country music in the 1960's "Too Many Rivers" is a great example! And the Everly Brothers were country in my opinion!
I think we need another hall of fame for the older artist who will never see the inside of the one we have now! Cowboy Copas shoulds have been long ago because he was the biggest star who was killed on March 5th 1963!