country
MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
JUNE 2022 Volume 53 Number 6 Issue 628
Editor Duncan Warwick
Contributors David Allan , Janet Aspley , Donnie Ayers , Craig Baguley , Tony Byworth , Larry Delaney , Don Cusic , Julie Flaskett , Michael Hingston , Stan Hitchcock , Tony Ives , Spencer Leigh , John Lomax III , Maxim Mower , Adrian Peel , Paul Riley , Alex Rossi , Chris Smith , Tom Travis , Walt Trott , Jack Watkins New release consultant : Steve Tidbury
Assistant editor Kelly Gregory
Photographers Patricia Presley , Barry Dixon
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022 : WHITLEY AND JERRY LEE INDUCTED TO THE HALL OF FAME
Advertising Kelly Gregory - kelly . cmpcountry @ gmail . com
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C ountry music fans can let out a
collective ‘ finally ’ now that it has been announced that the late Keith Whitley is amongst the latest inductees to the Country Music Hall Of Fame . Along with Whitley , Jerry Lee Lewis and music exec Joe Galante make up the class of 2020 and brings the total number of Hall of Fame inductees to 149 .
The announcement was made in the Hall Of Fame rotunda by Brooks & Dunn with the Country Music Association ’ s CEO Sarah Trahern saying , “ This year ’ s inductees are trailblazers who each paved their own unique path within Country Music . Jerry Lee , Keith and Joe each found their musical callings early in life and displayed a strong-minded and fierce passion for music making . In very different ways , they all have left a lasting impact on the industry and generations of fans alike . I am thrilled to welcome this deserving class into the Country Music Hall of Fame .”
Each year a veteran-era and modernera artist are inducted , along with a non-performer from a rotating category that includes musicians , songwriters , and industry insiders .
Despite a relatively short chart career , Keith Whitley was a game-changer and his recognition by the HoF is considered long overdue by many , especially those for whom he represents an artist whose work defined country music . Inducted in the ‘ Mordern-era ’ category , the singer from Sandy Hook , Kentucky died in 1989
of alcohol poisoning just shy of his 34th birthday . With a background in bluegrass , Whitley had formed the East Kentucky Mountain Boys with Ricky Skaggs in 1968 and later played in Ralph Stanley ’ s clinch Mountain Boys , he debuted on the country chart in 1984 with Turn Me To Love , a duet with Patty Loveless . But it was in 1988 that he hit his commercial stride when Don ’ t Close Your Eyes and When You Say Nothing At All went to # 1 .
Country singer Lorrie Morgan wed Whitley in 1986 and said , “ Keith never knew how good he was . He would be absolutely blown away if he were here today .
“ In my heart , this feels like an absolutely appropriate honour ,” she continued , “ but at the same time , I know that Keith would be painfully humbled , and even shy about accepting an induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame . Music was all about emotion to Keith . It was personal . There were so many great artists he admired , even worshipped . To stand in their company in the Hall of Fame would ’ ve been overwhelmingly emotional for him . I am thrilled to see him honoured this way , and for what it means to my children , Morgan and Jesse Keith ; to Keith ’ s grandchildren ; the Whitley family ; and to the many , many fans who continue to point to Keith as one of the all-time greats .”
Jerry Lee , 86 , who is now the last surviving member of the Rock and
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