2021 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
This year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees were revealed yesterday and, as always, the list is full of legends.
George Strait
George Strait is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. Strait is known as the “King of Country” and is considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. He has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Born in Poteet, Texas on May 18, 1952
George Harvey Strait is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer. George Strait is known as the “King of Country” and is considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. He has been referred to as a living legend and is one of the best-selling music artists of all time with more than 100 million records sold worldwide. George Strait has had 60 number-one hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, more than any other artist in any genre.
Began his musical career in the early 1970s
George Strait began his musical career in the early 1970s, when he was discovered by country music legend Chet Atkins. After signing with Atkins’ label, MCA Nashville, Strait released his debut album, Strait Country, in 1981. The album was a success, reaching the top of the country charts andspawning the hit single “Unwound.” Strait followed up with a string of successful albums and singles throughout the 1980s and 1990s, cementing his status as one of country music’s biggest stars. In 2013, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
His debut album, Strait Country, was released in 1981
George Strait is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is known for his traditional country style, and for his many successful songs. Strait’s debut album, Strait Country, was released in 1981. It included the single “Unwound”, which became a top ten hit on the Billboard Country Singles chart. After releasing several more albums, Strait achieved success with his 1989 album Pure Country. The album included the singles “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and “Ocean Front Property”, both of which were number one hits on the Country Singles chart. In 1992, Strait released his album Holding My Own, which included the number one hit “Heartland”.
Garth Brooks
On Wednesday, the Country Music Association announced the 2021 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Joining the ranks are Garth Brooks, Charlie Pride, and Fred Foster. Brooks, who is being inducted in the “Artists” category, is a best-selling solo artist of all time and the only artist in history to have seven albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 7, 1962
Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on February 7, 1962. The youngest of six children, Brooks was raised in a musical family. His father, Troyal Raymond Brooks, was a country singer and his mother, Beverly Jarnett (née Boren), played the piano in the local church. Both of his parents were supportive of his musical aspirations and encouraged him to pursue his dreams.
Brooks began his musical career performing in local clubs and bars in Oklahoma. He eventually made his way to Nashville, Tennessee where he signed with Capitol Records in 1989. His debut album, “Garth Brooks,” was released that same year and quickly became a hit with country music fans. Over the next decade, Brooks would release seven more albums, all of which were certified multi-platinum by the RIAA. In 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Today, Brooks is considered one of the most successful country music artists of all time. He has sold over 150 million records and currently ranks as the #1 best-selling solo artist in U.S. history.
Began his musical career in the late 1980s
Garth Brooks began his musical career in the late 1980s, performing country and western music. His first album was released in 1989 and was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Brooks has since released seven more studio albums, all of which have been certified Platinum or higher by the Recording Industry Association of America. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2017.
His debut album, Garth Brooks, was released in 1989
Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album was released in April 1989 and peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album’s first single, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old),” was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. “The Dance” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes” were also released as singles from the album and both peaked at No. 1 on the country charts.
Alan Jackson
On March 29, 2021, Alan Jackson will join the likes of Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Dolly Parton when he is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jackson is one of the most successful country music artists of all time, with more than 150 million records sold worldwide. He is also a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has won numerous awards, including the CMA Entertainer of the Year and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born in Newnan, Georgia on October 17, 1958
Alan Jackson was born in Newnan, Georgia on October 17, 1958, the son of Joseph Jackson and Ruth Musick. He was exposed to country music at an early age, and his talents were evident even then. Jackson began playing guitar when he was 14, and by the time he was 16 he had already written his first song.
After graduating from high school, Jackson worked in various jobs to support himself while he pursued his musical dreams. He eventually landed a job as a staff writer at a Nashville publishing company, where he wrote hits for such artists as George Strait and Randy Travis. In 1989, Jackson signed a recording contract with Arista Nashville, and released his debut album, Here in the Real World. The album’s title track became his first No. 1 hit, and set the stage for a hugely successful career.
To date, Jackson has released more than 50 albums and sold over 80 million records worldwide. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he has been honored with numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, 16 CMA Awards and 22 ACM Awards. Alan Jackson is truly one of the most accomplished artists in country music history.
Began his musical career in the early 1990s
Alan Jackson began his musical career in the early 1990s, signing with Arista Nashville after previous attempts at a recording deal. He has released 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, and a compilation album. He has sold over 80 million records worldwide.
He is known for traditional country music, as well as for his crossover appeal to pop music. His signature songs include “Here in the Real World”, “Chattahoochee”, “Remember When”, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox”, “Drive”, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” and “Good Time”.
He has won numerous awards, including 18 CMA Awards, 16 ACM Awards, and 42 BMI Awards. He was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.
His debut album, Here in the Real World, was released in 1990
Alan Jackson is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own songs.
Jackson has recorded 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, two gospel albums and several compilations. Of the 66 singles he has released to country radio, 26 have reached Number One on the Billboard Country Singles charts. He is the recipient of 2 Grammy Awards, 16 CMA Awards, 17 ACM Awards and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and was inducted in 2017.
Brooks & Dunn
The 2021 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees have been announced, and Brooks & Dunn are among the honorees. The duo will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year. Brooks & Dunn are one of the most successful country music groups of all time, and they have been a force in the genre for over two decades.
Formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1991
Brooks & Dunn is an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1991 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois, then head of Arista Nashville. Before the foundation, both members were solo recording artists. Though they recorded one album as a duo, they released their first album, Brand New Man, in 1991. This album included four chart singles: “Brand New Man”, “My Next Broken Heart”, “Neon Moon”, and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, which was also a crossover hit on pop radio.
The latter two songs were withdrawn from consideration because of drawn-out court cases surrounding the songwriting credits; “Neon Moon” was co-written by Brooks & Dunn with Don Cook, while “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” was co-written by Tony Arata (who had previously written Hank Williams, Jr.’s “A Country Boy Can Survive”). The duo has recorded twenty studio albums, two greatest hits albums and three compilation albums for Arista Nashville, all of which have been certified platinum or higher by the RIAA.
Their debut album, Brand New Man, was released in 1991
Brooks & Dunn rose to prominence in country music with their debut album, Brand New Man, which was released in 1991. The album’s lead single, “Brand New Man,” topped the country charts and helped to establish the duo as one of country music’s leading acts. Since then, Brooks & Dunn have released a string of successful albums and singles, cementing their place as one of the genre’s most popular and enduring acts. In 2021, they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton will be one of the 2021 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. She is a legend in the music industry and has written over 3,000 songs. Parton has also starred in movies, such as “9 to 5” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”. She is an icon and role model for many people.
Born in Sevierville, Tennessee on January 19, 1946
Dolly Parton is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. She is one of the most successful female country artists of all time; with multiple gold and platinum albums to her credit. Her signature songs include “Jolene”, “9 to 5”, and “I Will Always Love You”.
Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television programs in the East Tennessee area. She soon attracted the attention of record producer Bob Johnston, who helped her secure a contract with Mercury Records in 1965. Her self-titled debut album was released the following year to moderate success; but it was 1967’s Hello, I’m Dolly that catapulted her to stardom. The album’s title track single reached number one on the Billboard Country charts, kickstarting a successful career that would see Parton praised for her exceptional songwriting talents as well as her unique style and charisma.
Over the next several years, Parton would release a string of hit singles and albums; cementing her status as one of country music’s leading ladies. In 1974, she made her acting debut in the comedy film 9 to 5; which proved to be a breakout role for her. The film’s title track single – which Parton also wrote – became one of her most iconic songs, reaching number one on both the Country and pop charts. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Parton continued to find success both on stage and screen; starring in a number of hit films such as The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Straight Talk (1992).
In recent years, Parton has remained active both musically and philanthropically; releasing several successful albums while also expanding her business empire with ventures into restaurants, home goods retailing, and entertainment parks. In 2020 she was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; cementing her legacy as one of country music’s most iconic performers.
Began her musical career in the early 1960s
Dolly Parton’s music career began in the early 1960s with a string of hits including “Dumb Blonde,” “Something Fishy,” and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.” She soon became a recognizable figure in country music, thanks to her syndicated television show, The Porter Wagoner Show. Parton’s solo career took off in the 1970s with hits like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Here You Come Again.” She has continued to tour and release new music throughout her career, and in 2021, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, was released in 1967
Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, one of 12 children of Avie Lee Owens and Robert Lee Parton, poor mountain farmers in Sevier County, Tennessee. Raised in a devoutly Pentecostal home, she started performing at an early age, appearing on local television and radio programs and writing her own songs. In 1964 she moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. After working as a songwriter for Tree Publishing Company, she was signed to Mercury Records in 1965.
Her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly, was released in 1967 and featured the minor hit “Dumb Blonde,” but it was her second album, Just Because I’m a Woman (1968), that made her a superstar. The album’s title track hit the top of the country charts and crossed over to the pop Top 40; its follow-up single, “To Daddy,” did the same. Parton became one of the genre’s most successful female artists of the late 1960s and early 1970s; by 1973 she had scored nine No. 1 country singles. When Portrait of an American Girl was released in late 1973, it signaled a shift toward more personal material for Parton; the album’s centerpiece was the poignant ballad “I Will Always Love You,” which she had originally written for Porter Wagoner (with whom she had recently ended her professional partnership) but decided to keep for herself. The song became one of country music’s most enduring anthems and helped make Parton a global star; when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard soundtrack in 1992, it reached No. 1 on the pop charts for a second time.