Where are the females in the Country Music Hall of Fame?

Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda - Photo by Jessica Bray

Yesterday the Country Music Hall of Fame announced their 2016 inductee class.  The newest members include Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis, and Fred Foster.  While all three are deserving of the honor, there are some that many feel are left out.  Most importantly, there has been a serious lack of females inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

If you counted each and every member, including those in a group/duo, there are 158 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Out of that 158, only 21 are females, as in only 13.29% of the membership are females.

Here are the Country Music Hall of Fame Female Members and when they were inducted:

Connie Smith 2012

Reba McEntire 2011

Jean Shephard 2011

Barbara Mandrell 2009

Emmylou Harris 2008

Dolly Parton 1999

Tammy Wynette 1998

Brenda Lee 1997

Cindy Walker 1997

Patsy Montana 1996

Jo Walker-Meador 1995

Frances Preston 1992

Felice Bryant 1991 (with husband Boudleaux)

Loretta Lynn 1988

Kitty Wells 1976

Minnie Pearl 1975

Patsy Cline 1973

Carter Family 1970 (Sara and Mother Maybelle)

It has been 4 years since a female was inducted and that was Connie Smith.  There have been very long stretches in between female inductees.  Kitty Wells was inducted in 1976 and then in 1988, Loretta Lynn was included 12 years later.  Another long stretch was 1999 when Dolly Parton was inducted until 2008 when Emmylou Harris was included.  The first members were inducted in 1961, but the first female didn't appear until 1970 with Sara and Mother Maybelle as part of the Carter Family.

Why are women suppressed when it comes to Country Music Hall of Fame inductions?  Why are the following not members yet? 

Alison Krauss

Crystal Gayle

Dottie Rambo

Dottie West

Faith Hill

Janie Fricke

Jeanie C. Riley

Jean Ritchie

Kathy Mattea

Lynn Anderson

Martina McBride

Molly O'Day

Patsi Bale Cox

Patty Loveless

Sammi Smith 

Shania Twain 

Skeeter Davis

Tanya Tucker

The Coon Creek Girls

The Judds 

Trisha Yearwood

Wanda Jackson

Many have blazed a trail doing things their own way, not minding what others may think or say.  Many have done a lot of charity work off the stage within their own communities.  They have stood strong, singing songs that they have written, and made a name for themselves, as well as gaining recognition around the world.  Look at the instance of Shania Twain as compared to Garth Brooks, who is a member.  Both have sold millions of records, performed sold out concerts, and went across genres, as well as across the pond internationally with their music.  Yet, Garth was inducted many years prior to other deserving males who are still not inducted - Keith Whitley, Vern Gosdin, Dwight Yoakam, Marty Stuart, Hank Williams, Jr. and more.

When will we see another female inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame?  It is long overdue for many of these women.  Who do you feel should be in the Hall of Fame?

Kentucky native to receive Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award

Crystal Gayle - photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Today, the Academy of Country Music 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, Tenn.

Crystal Gayle traversed new territory as the first female country artist to achieve platinum album sales with her 1977 project We Must Believe in Magic, containing her crossover smash "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” The Kentucky native and younger sister of Loretta Lynn has been connecting with fans of country-pop for five decades, starting with the release of her debut single in 1970. Often working with hit-making producer Allen Reynolds, Gayle scored 20 No. 1 country hits during the 1970s and ‘80s, including "You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye),” “I'll Get Over You,” and "Talking in Your Sleep.” She toured worldwide and starred in several prime-time television specials. In total, Gayle’s career yielded six Gold albums and four prestigious ACM Awards.

Since the release of her debut single, “Delta Dawn,” at age 13, Tanya Tucker has been influencing generations of female artists. The 1972 hit, under the guidance of legendary producer Billy Sherrill, was the first in Tucker’s string of 56 Top 40 singles, including 10 No. 1s. Boosting her success was her willingness to address difficult topics, such as adultery and revenge in the song “Blood Red and Goin’ Down.” During the ‘70s and ‘80s, Tucker scored with “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone),” “Texas (When I Die),” “Can I See You Tonight,” and “One Love at a Time.” The 1990s marked a professional high-point for Tucker, thanks to memorable songs “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane,” "Down to My Last Teardrop,” and “It’s a Little Too Late.” Tucker is the recipient of two ACM Awards. Today, more than fifty years since her first record deal, she is still actively touring and making music.

The Statler Brothers was a pioneering quartet comprised of Harold Reid, Don Reid, Phil Balsley, original member Lew DeWitt--and later member Jimmy Fortune. Fortune is the only remaining member who continues to tour, and he recently released his first solo album which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. The Virginia natives intertwined gospel-inspired harmonies with country songs, getting their professional break in 1964 as Johnny Cash's backing vocalists and opening act. This launched a career that would yield numerous hits in the 1960s through 1980s, including "Flowers on the Wall,” "Bed of Rose’s,” "Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?,” “Elizabeth,” "My Only Love" and "Too Much on My Heart.” Many of their signature songs were helmed by producer Jerry Kennedy. The Statlers often used humor in their music and performances, leading to frequent appearances on Cash’s popular television show and their own successful program on The Nashville Network (TNN) in the early to mid-1990s. The Statlers garnered two ACM Awards and 2008 induction to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

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.

Where to find famous graves in Nashville

George Jones Gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

When you think of Nashville, you think of the sights and sounds of tourist attractions.  However, what lies beneath the city are those country music legends that are no longer with us today.  There are several cemeteries throughout Nashville that welcome fans and even have information available to help locate famous graves.

Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton contains a funeral home, mausoleum, and cemetery off Thompson Lane.  One of the neat features is a replica of the Christ Tomb within the great Cross Mausoleum.  Visitors are encouraged to view the special memorial between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm every day.  Tours can be conducted on an individual or group basis.

Something interesting to note is that Tammy Wynette's grave in the mausoleum originally had her stage name, Tammy Wynette, on it.  Then it was changed by her husband to Virginia Richardson.  In 2015, Georgette Jones, the daughter of George Jones & Tammy Wynette, was able to restore it back to Tammy Wynette.

Virginia W. Richardson, better known as Tammy Wynette Gravesite in 2014 - photo by Jessica Bray

Tammy Wynette Grave in 2016 with name restored back to her stage name - photo by Jessica Bray

Buried in Woodlawn Cemetery are the following:

Garden of the Grand Tour: George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, Rob Bironas, Billy Sherrill, Jerry Chesnut

Sunset Garden A: Dan Seals

Sermon on the Mount: Roy Orbison, Claudette Orbison, Anthony Orbison

Garden of the Good Shepherd: Red Stovine, Brock Speer

Chapel Garden F: William Owen Bradley

Chapel Garden H: Eddy and Sally Arnold

Companion Garden A: Thomas Lee Jackson

Garden of Gethsemane: Marty Robbins, Webb Pierce, Larrie Londin, Willard Mack Vickery

Garden of Time: Mel Street

Garden of Prayer: Hattie L. Bess aka "Tootsie"

Garden of Everlasting Life: Porter Waggoner, Dale Cooper (Stoney Cooper), Doobie Gray

Graceland Garden: Clyde Foley aka "Red Foley"

Lakeside Garden: Groover Lavender aka "Shorty Lavender"

Cross Mausoleum

1st Floor: Replica of Christ Tomb

2nd Floor - Right Hall: Jack Strap

3rd Floor - Left Hall: Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, Jerry "Reed" Hubbard, Dottie Rambo, Van Stephenson, Tammy Wynette, Little Jimmy Dickens, Jim Ed Brown, Lynn Anderson, Liz Anderson

3rd Floor - Right Hall: JD Sumner, Gordon Stroker, Otis Blackwell, Ernie Ashworth

4th Floor - Left Hall: Paul Glaser

Lynn Anderson Grave - photo by Jessica Bray

Little Jimmy Dickens' Grave - photo by Jessica Bray

Since 1785, Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been a Nashville landmark. Located at 5110 Gallatin Road at Briley Parkway, the cemetery is home to many notable grave sites. Among those buried include Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, George Morgan, Keith Whitley, Gilbert “Speck” Rhodes, Floyd Cramer, Jimmy Martin, John Hartford, Dean Manuel, Clifton Beverly Briley, Bunny Biggs, Billy Walker, Pete Drake, Louise Scruggs, Johnny Wright, and more.

Jimmy Martin gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Keith Whitley's gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Roy Acuff - photo by Jessica Bray

On up the road in Hendersonville, you can visit the resting place of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Kilgore, Johnny Russell, Luther Perkins, and more at the Hendersonville Memorial Gardens.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash Graves - photo by Jessica Bray

In Gallatin, you can visit Conway Twitty in the Sumner Memorial Gardens. Be sure to look for Harold Jenkins in the outside mausoleum.

Conway Twitty gravesiite - photo by Jessica Bray

Originally known as “The Voice,” Vern Gosdin is located at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.

Vern Gosdin gravesite - photo by Jessica Bray

Even in death, many country music celebrities still make an impact in others’ lives as they pay their respects to these legends

A trip home for Chris Stapleton

Yesterday and today, the town of Paintsville, Kentucky, was full of buzz thanks to a bearded man and his wife.  Chris Stapleton and Ram Trucks teamed up with ACM Lifting Lives when Stapleton visited his hometown, Paintsville, KY hometown for two concerts in the Johnson Central High School gym. 

During his visit, Ram Nation volunteers (a grassroots team of Ram truck owners) and students from the school's carpentry program dedicated an outdoor performance space, The Golden Eagle Stage Powered By RAM Trucks, for the school’s use.  

Chris Stapleton also donated $57,000 worth of instruments for the band.  A little history bit - back in the day, he graduated Valedictorian in his class and performed "Memories," a song he wrote.  This week, Stapleton got word that he was awarded Best New Male Artist from the Academy of Country Music.  That award will sit nicely on the shelf next to his CMA and Grammy awards.  Nevertheless, fame has not changed for Chris Stapleton as he is proud of where his roots originated in Johnson County, Kentucky.

Here are a few scenes from today:

Chris Stapleton Cupcake from Nonnie's Cake Corner 

Chris Stapleton with US 23 Country Music Highway Museum Staff - via Paintsville Adventures Tourism Facebook

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Courtesy of Johnson Central High School

Chris Stapleton Homecoming

Shot and edited by Kevin Horn today as Chris Stapleton filmed his new commercial for Dodge Ram.

Posted by aroundpaintsville.com on Thursday, March 24, 2016

Remembering a Kentucky country music pioneer

Velma Williams Smith

Often times in country music, we only think of legendary singers and not much on the musicians, especially with females.  One of those legendary performers was Velma Williams Smith.  She was born in 1927 and raised at Epley Station in Logan County, Kentucky.

Bill Monroe discovered Velma and her sister, Mildred, in 1941 when they appeared on WHOP out of Hopkinsville.  They were invited to play on the Grand Ole Opry and soon Velma began playing in the bands with Ernest Tubb, Carl Smith, Porter Waggoner, and Roy Acuff.  She was the first female to play a solo on the portion of the Grand Ole Opry broadcast nationally on NBC radio network.

During 1950s through the 1970s, Velma Williams Smith was the only female member of the RCA Studio B "A-Team" of studio musicians.  She would play the guitar licks on albums for fellow Kentuckian, Skeeter Davis ("The End of the World"), as well as Eddy Arnold ("Make the World Go Away"), Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Dottie West, and more.  She played on Hank Locklin's hit, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling," that landed number one on the Billboard country singles chart for 14 weeks.  According to the Musicians Hall of Fame, she was the first female rhythm guitar player to play on records cut in Nashville.

The late Patsy Cline recorded one of Smith's songs, "Shoes," that was co-written with Hank Cochran.

In 2014, Velma was inducted into the Musician's Hall of Fame in Nashville alongside Barbara Mandrell, Jimmy Capps, Peter Frampton, Randy Bachman, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Buddy Guy, Will Lee, Mike Curb and Roy Orbison. Now that is some pretty good company to be inducted with.

Velma Williams Smith passed away in 2014 at the age of 87 in Madison, Tennessee.

I was there when...

Remember in the movie “O, Brother Where Art Thou?” when the guys saw the women at the river?  One of them exclaimed “I seen them first!”  These days, there are so many music acts that we each have had that moment of seeing them before their career took off.  Here are a few of my personal favorite memories over the years.

Where to see Music in Kentucky

Two boys (one in costume with suspenders) and a girl (costumed as a pioneer with a long dress and bonnet) play homemade musical instruments, including a banjo, gourd banjo, and sticks possibly used as percussion instruments, next to a sign reading "Music" alongside railroad tracks. Music is a town in Carter County, Kentucky. Photographer - Jean Thomas. From the University of Louisville Digital Library.

Sturgill Simpson releases new song and album title

This afternoon, Sturgill Simpson did a radio interview with Zane Lowe on his "Beats I" radio show.  He discussed the new song, "Brace for Impact," as well as the new album, "A Sailor's Guide to Earth."

Listen to the song and interview below.

Country music legend Don Williams announces retirement from music

Don Williams - Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Today it was announced that country music legend Don Williams is retiring after six decades of making music and entertaining crowds. Don Williams is a Country Music Hall of Fame member, as well as CMA and ACM award winner. He became known as "The Gentle Giant" to fans over the years.

“It’s time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I’m so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support,” Williams said.

They came to call Williams the “Gentle Giant” in the decades he was a dominating country hitmaker because of his unique blend of commanding presence and that laid-back, easy style that has appealed to adult men and women alike—cutting across national and genre boundaries.

The hundreds of memorable songs in his repertoire—over fifty of them major hits—whether contemplative ballads, affecting love songs or change-up rhythm numbers, have always been a core Williams strength.

He brought a sound and sensibility to the country charts that proved a smash. Williams first gained musical attention as a member of the pop folk trio The Pozo Seco Singers, which had six pop chart hits in 1966-’67. Between 1974 and 1991, Williams had at least one major hit every year, including such country standards to be as “ Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Till the Rivers All Run Dry,” “It Must Be Love,” “I’m Just a Country Boy,” “Amanda” and “I Believe in You.” He also had a hit duet with Emmylou Harris on Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You.”

Williams captivated crowds in his live shows with the mellow tone of his smooth baritone in “Tulsa Time,” "Back in my Younger Days," "Louisiana Saturday Night" and identifiable sincerity in the timelessness of tunes like "You're My Best Friend," “Come Early Morning,” "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good," "Some Broken Hearts Never Mend" and many more everlasting hits.

Williams was the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978 and “Tulsa Time” was the ACM Record of the Year for 1979. In 2010, Don received country music’s highest honor, with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.