Who Will Be Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022?

We take a look at the top contenders for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022.

Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Hall of Fame was created in 1961 to recognize the contributions of those who have played an important role in the development and evolution of country music. The first inductees were Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, and Fred Rose. Over the years, the Hall of Fame has inducted a wide range of country music stars, from legends like Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline to contemporary artists like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift.

What is the Country Music Hall of Fame?

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the world’s largest museums and research centers dedicated to country music. The museum’s mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the evolving history and traditions of country music.

Established in 1961, the Country Music Hall of Fame inducts new members each year to honor those who have made significant contributions to the genre. In order to be eligible for induction, an artist must have released a recording on a major label or their work must have had a profound influence on country music. The 2022 inductees will be announced in early 2022.

How do you become inducted?

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum enshrinement process begins with a nominator completing and submitting an online entry form at countrymusichalloffame.org. The entry form requests basic information about the nominee’s career, as well as contact information for the nominator. A $150 non- refundable entry fee must be submitted with each entry form.

The next step in the process is a review by the Museum’s Executive Committee, which meets three times per year to consider all eligible candidates. The Executive Committee then submits its recommendations to the Board of Trustees for approval. Additional nominees may be added to the ballot by a two-thirds vote of the Board.

After the Board approves a slate of nominees, voting members of the Country Music Association (CMA) are asked to consider all eligible candidates and select three nominees in each category: Artist, Non-Performer, and Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980. ballots are tabulated by an independent accounting firm and winners are announced in October/November of each year for induction into the following year’s class.

Inductees

The Country Music Hall of Fame will induct three new members in 2022. The honorees are Jerry Reed, Paul Overstreet, and John Prine. All three artists will be recognized for their contributions to the country music genre.

George Strait

George Strait is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer who is known as the “King of Country” and one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. He has had more than 100 number-one hits on the Billboard country music charts, including 60 in a row – a record that still stands – and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. He will be eligible for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is an American singer and songwriter. He is known for his traditional country music and his rock-influenced interpretations of traditional country music. He has recorded 16 studio albums, three greatest hits albums, two Christmas albums, two gospel albums and several compilations. Jackson has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the bestselling artists of all time. He is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received numerous awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the CMA Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, it was announced Wednesday (April 7).

The “Friends in Low Places” singer was notified of the news by Steve Buchanan, president of Opry Entertainment Group, and Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, who surprised him with a plaque during a meeting.

“We are proud to induct Garth Brooks into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Buchanan said in a statement. “Garth is one of the biggest superstars in country music history and his influence is still felt today.”

Young added, “Garth has been a good friend to the museum since we opened our doors in 2001. His energy and exuberance are unmatched, and we cannot wait to celebrate him next year.”

Brooks joins Alan Jackson, Tom T. Hall and Jerry Reed as 2021 inductees.

Reactions

The Country Music Hall of Fame usually inducts three to five artists every year, but in 2022 they will only be inducting two. This has many people wondering who will be inducted and how the voting process works.

George Strait

George Strait was born in Poteet, Texas, on May 18, 1952. He first gained prominence as a country music artist in the 1980s, when he released a series of hit songs and albums. He has since become one of the most successful and popular country music artists of all time. In 2020, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician, known for his traditional country style, rich vocals, and songs about life. Jackson has won numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards and eighteen American Music Awards. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold over 80 million records worldwide. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks will be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022, the Country Music Association announced Wednesday.

The singer-songwriter, who is currently the best-selling solo artist in U.S. history, will be inducted next year alongside Brooks & Dunn, who were announced as part of the 2021 class on Tuesday.

Brooks’ career spans more than three decades and includes hits like “Friends in Low Places,” “The Thunder Rolls” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” He has sold more than 156 million albums and won more than two dozen Grammy Awards.

In a statement, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern called Brooks “one of the defining artists of our generation.”

“His explosive impact on the country music landscape changed our genre forever,” she said. “Garth’s influence continues to inspire artists across all genres today.”