Country music icons Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, and Johnny Gimble have been selected to join the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2018! The trio were selected for this honor by an anonymous panel of industry leaders put together by the Country Music Association and will be officially inducted during a medallion ceremony in October. Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks, as well as three-time CMA Award winner Trisha Yearwood, were on hand to make the big announcement.
Skaggs will be inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category and West will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category, while Gimble will be inducted in the “Recording and/or Touring Musician” category.
“I was totally shocked and I burst into tears when I heard that I was going to be the newest inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Skaggs shared in a press release. “When I came to Nashville in 1980, I came to play music and hopefully get a record deal. All of that happened, but I never dreamed that I’d ever be a member of this hallowed Hall. ‘Why me? And why now?’ was going through my mind. There are so many others that have inspired me, encouraged me, ones that I’ve truly learned from, and ones that have made such great contributions to Country and Bluegrass music. I’m humbled and very grateful to soon be listed among my many heroes.”
“The whole West family is full of emotion,” said West’s daughter, Shelly West. “When I got the news that Dottie was being inducted, I don’t remember if I was laughing or crying louder! My heart just swelled as I knew that Mom’s fans would soon hear this sweet news. Our deepest thanks to our great and hardworking CMA folks and our special friends at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Although she sings in the angel’s band these years, she has needed her resting home on earth. She will have that home here at the Country Music Hall of Fame, sharing her love with all.”
Congrats to all three country music icons! Enjoy Dottie West’s “Country Sunshine” below.
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