Country music has never been more popular, given the return of Garth and the presence country music stars had in this year’s mainstream Grammy Awards program. The good news for country artists and fans keep right on rolling, as we now we learn that musicians Johnny Gimble, Dottie West and Ricky Skaggs are the latest inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Johnny Gimble is a throwback, a star of the Western Swing genre from the 50s and early 60s. Over his career, he was nominated 15 times for ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’ winning the coveted Country Music Award five times. Johnny was also nominated for a Grammy in 1993.
Although Dottie West died at an early age (56) in 1991, her career high lights include Grammy, CMAs, BMI, CMT and Billboard awards. Much like the Buddy Holly story, Dottie asked Patsy Cline to ride with her from a benefit concert in Kansas, Patsy chose to fly and lost her life that night.
Ricky Skaggs barely needs an introduction. Winner of countless Grammy CMAs, AMCs, IBMA (Bluegrass) awards in over 30 years, he’s considered to be one of the most talented artists of our time. Perhaps all you need to know is that he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1982 before the age of 30, the youngest at that time to be inducted. The induction ceremony date has yet to be announced but will take place later this year.