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MUSIC PEOPLE
NEWS
MAY 2025 Volume 56 Number 5 Issue 663
Editor Kelly Gregory
Contributors David Allan, Janet Aspley, Donnie Ayers, Craig Baguley, Jonny Brick, Chris Brown, Tony Byworth, Larry Delaney, Rosie Carter, Don Cusic, Julie Flaskett, Michael Hingston, Stan Hitchcock, Tony Ives, Sianna King, Spencer Leigh, John Lomax III, Bryce Martin, Adrian Peel, Paul Riley, Chris Smith, Tom Travis, Walt Trott, Dan Wallace, Dave Watkins, Jack Watkins
New release consultant Steve Tidbury
Photographers Patricia Presley, Barry Dixon
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COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2025 INDUCTEES
T he CMA unveiled its 2025 Country
Music Hall of Fame inductees on
March 25 at the Country Music Hall of Fame ® and Museum Rotunda. This year’ s honourees are Tony Brown, June Carter Cash and Kenny Chesney.
Brown enters in the Non-Performer category, which rotates every three years with Songwriter and Recording / Touring Musician categories. Cash joins the Veterans Era Artist category, while Chesney enters the Modern Era Artist category.
Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill hosted the announcement.
“ This year’ s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.“ Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment. Their achievements speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers, and the impact of their work will continue to inspire future generations.”
“ All three of the new inductees have left indelible impacts on the genre and firmly established themselves as unforgettable contributors to Country Music,” says Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer.“ North Carolina native Tony Brown is a trailblazing record producer and executive who has helped shape the sound of modern country since the 1980s, supervising many best-selling records while also ushering in outsider talents to the genre. Virginia-born June Carter Cash was a vibrant torchbearer of her family’ s enduring country music legacy who forged her own distinctive path during her more
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