Today (April 10), the Country Music Hall of Fame announced the newest set of Country Music Hall of Fame inductees as “Cowboy” Jack Clement, Bobby Bare and Kenny Rogers during a press conference in the Hall’s Rotunda. Induction ceremonies, which will increase membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame from 118 to 121 members, will take place in the Hall’s new CMA Theater later this year.

“Cowboy” Jack Clement has been named in the non-performer category, which is awarded every third year in a rotation with the “Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980,” and “Songwriter” categories. Clement’s daughter, Alison Clement, offered gratitude during today’s announcement while the “Cowboy” preceded from his seat in the front row.
In 1953, Clement made his first record. He studied at Memphis State University, where he earned his lifelong nickname “Cowboy.” He built his first recording studio in 1956, and has worked with Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and numerous others. Clement wrote “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” and produced Johnny Cash‘s iconic “Ring of Fire.” Clement also opened Jack Clement Recording Studios, the first 16-track studio in Nashville and has written songs for Bobby Bare, George Jones, Elvis Presley, Hank Snow, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Clement has also produced for Townes Van Zant, Hank Williams, Jr. and U2.

Bobby Bare was named in the Veterans Era category. “This is a validation of a dream that a 17-year-old boy had back in the hills of Ohio,” said Bare before recognizing various individuals responsible for his career successes. “This is as big as it gets. This is truly an honor. Now I’ll be famous forever.”
Chet Atkins signed him to RCA in 1962. He had hits with “Shame on Me,” “Detroit City” “Five Hundred Miles Away From Home” and “Streets of Baltimore.” In 1964, Bare embarked on one of the first successful European country music tours. While at RCA, Bare recorded two duet projects with Skeeter Davis and had a Top 5 hit with “The Game of Triangles,” featuring Liz Anderson and Norma Jean.
Kenny Rogers was named as the Modern Era artist inductee.
A tearful Rogers thanked his wife and his twin sons. “I’m so glad this happened if it is going to happen so I can share it with my boys,” said Rogers. “I think it’s important for them to know I worked hard.” Rogers also talked about the importance of a positive attitude, passing on wisdom learned from his parents. “My dad said, ‘Son, you have to aim high to gain low.’ My mom said, ‘Always be happy where you are. Don’t be content to be there but be happy where you are.’ Some of my greatest memories were at the lowest points. I thank you all for making this high point available to me.” He also congratulated companion inductees, Bare and Clement.
Rogers released three No. 1 multi-million selling albums between 1978 and 1980, Love or Something Like It, The Gambler, and Kenny. He enjoyed five consecutive chart-topping songs, “Love or Something Like It,” “The Gambler,” “She Believes In Me,” “You Decorated My Life” and “Coward of the County.” In the late ’70s, Rogers and Dottie West recorded a series of duets, including “Every Time Two Fools Collide,” “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight,” “What Are We Doin’ in Love,” “All I Ever Need Is You” and “Til I Can Make It On My Own.” Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Rogers also earned success as an actor, appearing in the movie Six Pack, as well as the made-for-TV movie The Gambler (and four The Gambler follow-up TV movies), Coward of the County and Christmas in America.
In 1998, Rogers formed his own label and released “The Greatest,” followed by “Buy Me a Rose” (featuring Alison Krauss), which topped the charts in 2000, making Rogers (then age 61), the oldest solo artist to have a No. 1 record on the Country charts. Last year Rogers topped the New York Times list with his autobiography, Luck of Something like It–A Memoir.

“This is the defining moment of my life,” Luke Bryan said emotionally after winning Entertainer of the Year at last night’s (April 7) ACM Awards. “It means the world to me, and I will never take it for granted.” Securing the night’s top prize for the first time was one of numerous factors underlining his zooming career trajectory. It was also his first time co-hosting the show, held at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand, with Blake Shelton. For the most part they made a funny, engaging pair, relying mainly on jabs at each other. (ex. Shelton: “You know what Motel 6 and Luke’s jeans have in common? There’s no ballroom.”)
Bryan’s Entertainer win proved his connection with music lovers who selected the fan-voted honor. His performance of “Crash My Party” was a spectacle of swirling green lights, and exemplified an evolving career with a step away from the hip-swiveling hit “Country Girl Shake It For Me.”
The Band Perry scored the night’s best performance, with a high-energy offering of new single “DONE.” Stark white lights contrasted the black stage set as Kimberly led Neil, Reid and band members through an expertly executed set of choreographed jumping, complete with shooting flames and falling sparks. Dressed in edgy black wardrobe, TBP showcased its rock ‘n’ roll chops flawlessly.

Emotional, authentic acceptance speeches make great television, and Bryan wasn’t the only winner fighting back tears. Miranda Lambert struggled to keep it together when accepting her fourth consecutive Female Vocalist trophy, recalling her recent experience at Shania Twain’s Vegas concert. “Last night a huge dream of mine came true,” she explained. “I went from a little girl singing in a hair brush to watching Shania Twain with Faith Hill and Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson. And I cried all night because I’ll never not be a fan of those beautiful women.”

She is quickly joining the ranks of country female icons she dearly admires—she now stands with Reba and Loretta Lynn as the only artists to win ACM Female Vocalist four or more times. In fact, Lambert was the top 2013 ACM winner overall, securing four trophies in three categories. Her hit “Over You” was named Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year, earning honors as artist and co-writer with hubby Shelton.
These wins for Female Vocalist and Song of the Year come on the heels of her wins in the same categories at the November 2012 CMA Awards. ACM honors for Album of the Year (Eric Church’s masterpiece Chief) and Duo of the Year (Thompson Square) also followed suit of the CMAs.
Quality songs are a key part of country music’s appeal, and Church and Shelton let their songs speak for themselves with stellar, stripped down performances. Church ditched his signature shades and ballcap during an acoustic offering of “Like Jesus Does,” which aired in black and white for at-home TV viewers. Shelton’s guitar-vocal take on “Sure Be Cool If You Did” worked well and stood out against the show’s other highly-produced numbers.
Shelton was one of several artists who scored multiple performance slots. He and Bryan opened the show with “Boys ‘Round Here,” a groovy rap with guests Sheryl Crow, Pistol Annies and Brad Paisley. Crow looked fantastic in a snug, gold-sequined number and her vocal was a great fit for the song, but hearing her sing about kickin’ up dust didn’t seem authentic. Throughout the evening, artist performance pairings reached outside country’s boundaries to include guitar slingers Paisley and John Mayer on “Beat This Summer,” which borrows a vibe from Kenny Chesney’s coastal playbook. Hunter Hayes and Stevie Wonder teamed for a medley of Wonder’s “Sir Duke” and Hayes’ “I Want Crazy.” Wonder returned with Bryan and Shelton for the show’s closing number, “Signed, Sealed Delivered I’m Yours.”
Elsewhere, Paisley tapped Hayes and Dierks Bentley for “Outstanding In Our Field.” Garth Brooks and George Strait shared the stage during a Dick Clark memorial tribute. Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban created a trifecta of star power during “Highway Don’t Care,” even if it is a somewhat weak song. The segment was a reminder of how far Swift has come since her debut hit “Tim McGraw.” Plus, Faith Hill looked fantastic when introducing them.
Even a few minimal production misteps didn’t mar the show’s quality. Kelly Clarkson’s “Don’t Rush” was as fresh as her bright blonde locks, despite the boring backdrop. Aldean’s “1994” was on the right track with video graphics circa 1994, but the time machine veered away from retro-cool during the voyage. It was also a missed opportunity for onstage collaboration. Little Big Town’s “Your Side of the Bed” is an excellent song by an excellent group, but the dancers suspended mid-air in front of a bed just didn’t fly onscreen.
Fans watch awards shows to see performances, so it wasn’t unusual that the show had been on for almost an hour before the first trophy was presented. Viewers had plenty to keep them tuned in— a varied showcase packed with hitmakers offering their individual brands of country music.
Chesney stuck to his specialty—beach-bound escapism—on “Pirate Flag.” Carrie Underwood showed her never-ending vocal power on “Two Black Cadillacs.” Lady Antebellum’s “Downtown” was vibey, cool, fun. Florida Georgia Line proved that “Cruise” is still one of the catchiest songs out there—no matter how many times you hear it. Strait was classic on current hit “Give It All We Got Tonight.” Lambert’s take on “Mama’s Broken Heart” was enhanced by a teal blue set of sparkling chandeliers meets parlor-sheik. Brantley Gilbert did his thing on “More Than Miles.” His fiancée Jana Kramer continued to stake ground as a rising talent with vocal finess and solid fashion sense. Jewel sang a medley of her classic “Hands” and “Fill a Heart,” an original song by Tori Kelly to raise awareness for ACM Lifting Lives® and ConAgra Foods’ Child Hunger Ends Here campaign.
This morning’s news reveals that the most important show review of all came through with a resounding thumbs-up. Year-over-year television ratings climbed, and a record breaking 1.1. million fans cast votes for the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year categories combined.
See the complete list of winners.
 

“I Saw the Light”
Season 1 | Episode 116 | Aired 04/03/2013
Rayna’s and Juliette’s tour visited New York on last night’s episode of Nashville, where Music City streets stood in as the streets of Manhattan. Rayna had her daughters and sister in tow, Deacon brought his new veterinarian girlfriend, and Juliette’s entourage included her mom and mom’s substance abuse counselor.
During a soundcheck, Rayna’s daughters proved they inherited mom’s performance chops with an acoustic cover of “Hey Ho.” Unbeknownst to Maddie, she has two sets of musical DNA working in her favor—her biological father is Deacon.

Juliette scored a major sponsorship thanks to the help of the counselor, Dante, who’s background is in business. By the end of the show, those two celebrated by hopping in bed together, and next week’s preview indicates that he might also have the hots for her mom, Jolene.
Deacon’s new squeeze could tell that there is still some emotion between him and Rayna, but he likes Stacey enough to consider getting off the road and settling down as a studio musician.
Rayna’s powerful and scheming father Lamar returned to the show after being absent for several episodes. He found out Peggy leaked rumors about Rayna and Teddy to the tabloids, and threatened to tell Teddy about it if she didn’t help him sway mayor Teddy’s opinion about a building project on the river. The show’s biggest cliff hanger was when Lamar had a heart attack at the end of the episode.
Though Scarlett tried to convince the folks at Rayna’s new record imprint that she and Gunnar work best as a duo, he was a supportive boyfriend and talked her into signing the solo offer. They also met a new neighbor, Will, played by Chris Carmack, who is likely a returning character. Huddled around the backyard campfire, Gunnar and Will wrote the show’s only new tune, “Tough All Over.” The song was actually penned by Jim Lauderdale and Odie Blackmon. Gunnar and Will may shape up to be a better duo than Gunnar and Scarlett.
After ditching his record deal and ticking off his publisher, Avery had no choice but to hit Lower Broadway, pickin’ and grinnin’ for tips. He eventually decided being a roadie was more lucrative and took off to join a tour. All we know is he’s headed to New York….
Producers need volunteer extras for a party scene shooting today (Wednesday, April 3) at noon on the General Jackson Showboat. Details at www.nashvilleextras.com.