Multi-media stars Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy, all musicians who have devoted their careers and lives to the country genre, became the newest members of the revered Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum during an invitation-only ceremony on May 17.
Considered country music’s most prestigious honors, the intimacy-focused induction—held in the museum's 300-seat Ford Theater—was filled with humor, storytelling, emotion and music during its celebration of the honorees, thanks to participation and attendance by extended families, associates and important colleagues.
Country Music Hall of Fame Praises Honorees for Collaborations within Pop Music, R&B and Rock
According to event organizers, each of the 2009 inductees, through their music’s crossover success and the artists’ respective collaborations with rock, pop and R&B players, aided in helping country music progress and evolve in the U.S. and abroad. Such efforts, in turn, led to country performers having performance access and more widespread acceptance within avenues in locales such as Las Vegas and San Francisco’s Fillmore West—something prior country performers didn’t have access to.
“In their own way, each has nodded to tradition to create music relevant to the first generation of the space age and to help extend the footprint of country music and American culture around the world,” Kyle Young, director of the museum, told those in attendance.
“All three began their musical journeys as youngsters. All are multi-instrumentalists. All brought country music home to vast television audiences. And each has toured internationally.Their talent, professionalism, sacrifice and accomplishments have earned them country music’s highest honor—membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Country Singer Barbara Mandrell Thanks Family, Friends for Support
In accepting her honor, country superstar-turned-sometime actress Mandrell shared her gratitude for the enduring support she received from her friends and family, with special affection expressed for her father and longtime manager, Irby Mandrell, who died March 5, 2009.
“He guided me, directed me from the beginning of my career until I retired,” Mandrell said of her dad, who first began overseeing his daughter’s career when she was 11. “It’s his name, Mandrell, that I’m blessed to have. It’s the gracious, loving public that made that name known and popular. So tonight I thank you with my entire being for putting me and my Daddy’s name into the Hall of Fame.”
Roy Clark Acknowledges His Musical Predecessors and Country Music's History
After gaining his composure upon coming to the podium, museum honoree Clark began his acceptance speech somewhat overwhelmed with emotion.
“This may take a while,” began the former Hee Haw star and hit-recording artist. “Just to associate yourself with the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and just to imagine your name will be said right along with all the rest,” said Clark, who then paused for breath and shook his head in apparent disbelief. “Now,” he continued, “my name will be mentioned right along with theirs.”
Harmonica Player Charlie McCoy Grateful for Help from Nashville Session Players
Harmonica wizard McCoy, meanwhile, during his acceptance of the honor credited a number of Nashville instrumentalists for helping guide him during his career, including Chet Atkins, Harold Bradley, Grady Martin, Pig Robbins and other members of the famed A-team of Nashville session musicians.
“We made records that are still being played, and that’s really cool,” McCoy said.
Aside from sharing his deep appreciation for his fellow session players, McCoy singled out record producer Fred Foster and TV-producer Sam Lovullo for thanks. Foster, McCoy said, was the one who gave him a record deal, and Lovullo convinced McCoy to serve as music director of Hee Haw, something he did for 18 years.
Country Stars, Former Country Hall of Fame Inductees Show Support for New Members
McCoy also shared with those in attendance that he had walked among the museum’s hall of fame plaques and counted that he’d played on songs by 53 members.
“All I ever wanted to do was play for those people,” he said. “Now, to be a part of this is amazing.”
Prior inductees present to welcome the newest members into their exclusive fold included not only the aforementioned Bradley but also Little Jimmy Dickens; Ralph Emery; Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers; Jim Foglesong; Emmylou Harris; Sonny James; George Jones; Louis Nunley, Ray Walker and Curtis Young of the Jordanaires; Brenda Lee; Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers; Earl Scruggs; Jo Walker-Meador; and E.W. “Bud” Wendell.
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
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