The Class Of 2022 Inducted Into The Country Radio Hall Of Fame

Pictured (L-R, front row): Barry Mardit, Steve Grunwald, CRB/CRS Executive Director RJ Curtis, Bob Call; (L-R, back row): Cathy Martindale, Rachael Hunter, Debbie Conner, Whitney Allen, Becky Brenner. Photo: Caitlin Harris

The Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2022 was inducted last night (June 30) at a dinner and awards ceremony at the Virgin Hotel in Nashville.

The special evening was packed with honoree presentations, acceptance speeches, video segments, and a performance by Lauren Alaina. Honorees praised their mentors and shared some of their most cherished moments of their career during the annual event.

The off-air honorees were Becky Brenner and Barry Mardit, along with 2021 honoree Bob Call, who was unable to attend last year’s event. On-air honorees were Whitney Allen, Debbie Conner, Cathy Martindale, and Rachael & Grunwald.

Pictured (L-R): Kurt Johnson, Lauren Alaina, Trisha Yearwood, RJ Curtis. Photo: Caitlin Harris

CRB/CRS Board President Kurt Johnson presented Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito, with the 2022 CRB President’s Award, and CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis presented Trisha Yearwood with the 2022 CRB Artist Achievement Award. A musical tribute featuring Lauren Alaina was held during the evening in honor of Yearwood.

Among the sold-out audience were past inductees, including Jaye Albright, Beverlee Brannigan, Charlie Chase, Charlie Cook, Lorianne Crook, RJ Curtis, Jonathan Fricke, Jeff Garrison, Dan Halyburton, Mike Hammond, Lon Helton, Gregg Lindahl, Mike O’Malley, Joel Raab, Tim Roberts, and Ed Salamon. The evening also paid tribute to honorees lost over the past year, who were Ralph Emery (Class of 1989), Eddie Edwards (Class of 2013), and Bob Robbins (Class of 2008).

Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito; CRB/CRS Board President, Kurt Johnson. Photo: Caitlin Harris