NASHVILLE (TNN) — Ray Charles joined The Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday. It was a beautiful ceremony that brought out the best in country music, laughter and tears just a few days after Naomi Judd’s unexpected death.
The ceremony was not as celebratory without Naomi Judd, but it continued to be a celebration of the country legend. Country music’s singers and performers mourned Naomi Judd while simultaneously celebrating the inductees Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers, and Pete Drake. Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill performed their hits.
Naomi and Wynonna Judd were two of the most loved duos in the 1980s. They scored 14 No. Their nearly three-decade-long career saw them score 14 No. 1 hits. The family released a statement to The Associated Press on the eve Naomi Judd’s induction. It stated that Naomi Judd had died from “the disease mental illness”.
Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd were in tears when Wynonna and Ashley accepted the induction. They held onto each other while reciting a Bible verse and held on to one another.
Ashley Judd, who was crying, said that her mother had made a mistake and she regretted it. Wynonna Judd spoke about the family gathering and Ashley Judd recited Psalm 23, before they said good-bye.
Wynonna Judd stated, “Though I am broken, I will continue singing.”
Outside the museum, fans gathered to admire a white bouquet of flowers and a small frame photo below. One rose was placed on the ground.
Charles was inducted for his unconventional country records, which proved country music’s commercial appeal. Georgian-born pianist and singer, Charles was raised listening to the Grand Ole Opry and released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” in 1962. It became one of the most successful country albums of its era.
Charles was orphaned and blinded at a very young age. But his decision to record country music changed how the world saw the genre and helped expand audiences during the Civil Rights Era.
Charles’ version “I Can’t Stop Loving You” spent five weeks at the top of Billboard 100 charts and is still one of his most loved songs. He died in 2004.
Brooks sang “Seven Spanish Angels”, one of Charles’ hit songs with Willie Nelson. Bettye LaVette sang “I Can’t Stop Loving You”.
Ronnie Milsap, Country Music Hall of Famer, said that he met Charles while he was a young singer. Others tried to imitate Charles but none could match his talent.
Milsap said, “There was only one of them.” Milsap said, “He sang country music as it should be sung.”
Charles is the only Black artist inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame alongside Opry pioneer DeFord Bailey, Charley Pride and others.
Ray Charles and The Judds join the Country Music Hall of Fame
KRISTIN M. HALL
39 minutes ago
Wynonna Judd gives a hug to the attendees at the Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall Of Fame Sunday May 1, 2022 in Nashville, Tenn.
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Wynonna Judd gives a hug to the attendees at the Medallion Ceremony at Country Music Hall Of Fame Sunday May 1, 2022 in Nashville, Tenn.
NASHVILLE (TNN) — Ray Charles joined The Country Music Hall of Fame Sunday. It was a beautiful ceremony that brought out the best in country music, laughter and tears just a few days after Naomi Judd’s unexpected death.
The ceremony was not as celebratory without Naomi Judd, but it continued to be a celebration of the country legend. Country music’s singers and performers mourned Naomi Judd while simultaneously celebrating the inductees Ray Charles, Eddie Bayers, and Pete Drake. Trisha Yearwood and Vince Gill performed their hits.
Naomi and Wynonna Judd were two of the most loved duos in the 1980s. They scored 14 No. Their nearly three-decade-long career saw them score 14 No. 1 hits. The family released a statement to The Associated Press on the eve Naomi Judd’s induction. It stated that Naomi Judd had died from “the disease mental illness”.
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Wynonna Judd and Ashley Judd were in tears when Wynonna and Ashley accepted the induction. They held onto each other while reciting a Bible verse and held on to one another.
Ashley Judd, who was crying, said that her mother had made a mistake and she regretted it. Wynonna Judd spoke about the family gathering and Ashley Judd recited Psalm 23, before they said good-bye.
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Wynonna Judd stated, “Though I am broken I will continue singing.”
Outside the museum, fans gathered to admire a white bouquet of flowers and a small frame photo below. One rose was placed on the ground.
Charles was inducted for his unconventional country records, which proved country music’s commercial appeal. Georgian-born pianist and singer, Charles was raised listening to the Grand Ole Opry and released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music” in 1962. It became one of the most successful country albums of its era.
Charles was orphaned and blinded at a very young age. But his decision to record country music changed how the world saw the genre and helped expand audiences during the Civil Rights Era.
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Charles’ version “I Can’t Stop Loving You” spent five weeks at the top of Billboard 100 charts and is still one of his most loved songs. He died in 2004.
Brooks sang “Seven Spanish Angels”, one of Charles’ hit songs with Willie Nelson. Bettye LaVette sang “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Ronnie Milsap, Country Music Hall of Famer, said that he met Charles while he was a young singer. Others tried to imitate Charles but none could match his talent.
Milsap said, “There was only one of them.” Milsap said, “He sang country music as it should be sung.”
Charles is the only Black artist inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame alongside Opry pioneer DeFord Bailey, Charley Pride and others.
“Mr. Valerie Ervin, president and CEO of the Ray Charles Foundation said that Charles stood firm for what he loved. “And country music was the only thing he loved truly and truly.”
Two recordings musicians were also inducted into the Hall of Fame by Pete Drake and Eddie Bayers.
Bayers, a Nashville drummer for many decades, was a member the Grand Ole Opry band. He was a regular player on records for The Judds and Ricky Skaggs as well as George Strait, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, and George Strait. He was the first drummer to join the organization.
Drake, who passed away in 1988, was a pedal-steel guitar player. He was also a member Nashville’s A team of skilled session musicians. He played on hits such as “Stand By Your Man” (by Tammy Wynette) and “He Stopped Loving Him Today” (by George Jones). He was the first pedal-steel guitar player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Drake is best known for his invention of the talk box. This technology allowed Drake to voice through his pedal steel guitar. Later, artists such as Peter Frampton adopted it.
Rose, Rose’s wife, stated that musicians like her husband deserve a place in music history.
“The musicians of the 1960s, 1970s. Rose Drake stated that Nashville was established as Music City by the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
