Three Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees Revealed

2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels and Randy Travis. Photo: John Russell/CMA

Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and Fred Foster are the latest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made on Tuesday morning (March 29) at a private event held inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s rotunda. Daniels will enter in the Veterans Era category, while Travis will join in the Modern Era category.

Travis notched 30 Top 10 hits between 1986 and 2009, including modern classics like “Forever and Ever, Amen,” “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart” and “Three Wooden Crosses.” He was the 1987 and 1988 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year. Lee recounted Travis’ rise from washing dishes to becoming a country star. She choked up while introducing Travis, who has recovered from health issues enough to walk to the podium with his wife, Mary. Travis is 56 years old and spoke a few words, then his wife spoke eloquently on his behalf.

Daniels moved to Nashville in 1967 and worked as a session guitarist on projects like Bob Dylan’s Nashville Skyline. As a recording artist, he entered the country chart in 1973 with “Uneasy Rider.” However, his true breakthrough arrived with the 1979 smash single, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” His fiddle playing is also a centerpiece of his shows. Admitting his nerves while at the podium, Daniels did thank his family, friends, and God for the honor. A road warrior for his whole career, Daniels is 79 years old and insisted that he has no interest in retiring.

Foster was selected in the Non-Performer category. He was cited for his contributions to the careers of Jimmy Dean, Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton. He signed Roy Orbison to Monument Records, a label he started in 1958, and produced all of his classic hits. He also signed Parton to Monument, as well as his pioneering publishing company, Combine Music. Foster also signed Kristofferson to Combine and shares a writing credit with him on “Me and Bobby McGee.” Foster is 84 years old and stated that he would like to keep working.

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern and Brenda Lee with inductees Charlie Daniels, Randy Travis and Fred Foster at CMA’s 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees announcement on Tuesday, March 29 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Photo: John Russell/CMA

All three inductees are North Carolina natives.

Inductees will be formally inducted later this year in the CMA Theatre. Brenda Lee introduced the inductees. Remarks were also provided by Kyle Young, Director of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA.

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Bobby Bare, Joe Bonsall, Bonnie Brown, William Lee Golden, Jo Walker-Meador were in attendance.