Country Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Highlights
Contents
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum inducted three new members at its annual Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, October 25.
Introduction
The Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is an annual event that honors those who have made significant contributions to the genre. This year’s event, which took place on October 22, 2017, was particularly special because it featured the induction of three country music legends: Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, and Fred Rose. Here are some highlights from this historic event.
Highlights from the Ceremony
The Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a special event that celebrates the legends of country music. This year, the ceremony was particularly special because it marked the 50th anniversary of the Hall of Fame. Some of the highlights from the ceremony included performances by special guests and the induction of three new members into the Hall of Fame.
Dolly Parton’s Induction
Dolly Parton, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in last night’s ceremony, gave a touching speech in which she thanked her family, friends, and fans. She also took a moment to reflect on the important role that music has played in her life, saying “Music has been my passion since I was a little girl. It’s been my love, my life, my livelihood. And I can’t imagine anything that I would rather do.” Parton’s induction was met with a standing ovation from the audience, and she ended her speech with a performance of her classic hit “I Will Always Love You.”
Garth Brooks’ Induction
Garth Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday evening (Oct. 22), and his wife, Trisha Yearwood, was on hand to help him celebrate the special moment.
Brooks’ close friend, fellow country star George Strait, inducted Brooks into the institution, calling him “the most successful solo artist in the history of country music.”
“Garth has given so much of himself to his music and to his fans,” Strait said. “He’s one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever met in my life.”
Brooks delivered an emotional acceptance speech, in which he thanked his wife, children and his late mother for their support throughout his career.
“I want to say thank you to my mom for passing this musical gene down,” Brooks said tearfully. “I want to thank my kids for sharing their dad with everybody.”
He also took a moment to pay tribute to Strait, calling him “the greatest singer-songwriter that our genre has ever seen or will see.”
“This is probably going to be one of the few times you’re ever going to hear me at a loss for words,” Brooks said. “But I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I love you all very much.”
Reba McEntire’s Induction
Reba McEntire was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 16, 2017, by Trace Adkins.
In his introduction, Adkins spoke about how he had been a fan of hers since he was a child, and how she had been an inspiration to him both professionally and personally. He also joked about how she had “ruined country music” for him, because after hearing her sing, he knew that he could never compete with her.
McEntire took the stage and began her speech by thanking Adkins for his kind words. She then went on to talk about her love for country music, and how it had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember. She also spoke about how honored she was to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and how grateful she was to all of the people who had supported her throughout her career.
Conclusion
The Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony is a highlight of the year for fans of the genre, and this year’s event was no exception. From Marty Stuart’s emotional tribute to the late Merle Haggard to Dolly Parton’s star-studded performance of her classic hits, there were plenty of memorable moments. We’ve rounded up some of the best highlights from the ceremony, so you can relive all the excitement (or catch up on what you missed).
