Down Memory Lane: The Ten Most Influential Country Music Hits of the 1970s

The 1970s were a pivotal era in country music. New subgenres emerged, cultural shifts were mirrored in song lyrics, and several country hits crossed over into mainstream popularity. As we tip our cowboy hats to the past, let's count down the 12 most influential country music hits from the '70s and the iconic artists behind them.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" - Loretta Lynn (1970)

Loretta Lynn's autobiographical song painted an honest portrait of her impoverished childhood in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. This song made Lynn the first woman to top the Billboard country charts with a song she wrote herself, highlighting her as a trailblazer in the industry.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver (1971)

Perhaps one of the most well-known country songs of all time, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" reached listeners far beyond the country genre. John Denver's ode to West Virginia is a timeless classic, remaining synonymous with American country music.

"Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" - Charley Pride (1971)

As one of the few African-American country stars, Charley Pride broke racial barriers with his universally appealing song about love and happiness. This song solidified Pride's position as an important figure in country music.

"Jolene" - Dolly Parton (1973)

This iconic track is one of Parton's most enduring songs, displaying her exceptional storytelling skills. "Jolene" laid the groundwork for Parton's transcendent career, taking her from a country singer to a beloved global superstar.

"Behind Closed Doors" - Charlie Rich (1973)

Charlie Rich’s smooth vocals and the song's sensual lyrics helped "Behind Closed Doors" reach a broad audience, marking an early example of country music's crossover into the pop charts.

"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers (1978)

Rogers' tale of a late-night encounter with a gambler is one of the genre's most unforgettable narratives. The song's universal appeal, coupled with Roger's charismatic performance, made it a crossover hit.

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" - Waylon Jennings (1977)

Waylon Jennings' nostalgic song about escaping the pressures of fame to a simpler life became an anthem for the Outlaw country movement. Its message continues to resonate with audiences today.

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" - Willie Nelson (1975)

With its sparse production and Nelson's emotional delivery, this song marked a significant departure from the heavily orchestrated Nashville sound popular at the time. It signaled the arrival of a new country sound and Nelson's reign as a key figure in the genre.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today" - George Jones (1979)

This tragic love song, often referred to as the greatest country music song ever recorded, is the epitome of the genre's storytelling prowess. Despite its release date slightly beyond the '70s, the song and George Jones' emotive delivery significantly influenced the era.

"Rhinestone Cowboy" - Glen Campbell (1975)

Campbell's career-defining hit about a veteran performer making a comeback is a testament to his own musical journey. "Rhinestone Cowboy" was a global sensation, and Campbell's crossover appeal helped country music gain further mainstream acceptance.

The 1970s proved to be a decade of growth and change for country music. These hits, along with the artists who sang them, played an influential role in shaping the genre and leaving an indelible mark on music history. Their timeless appeal continues to engage audiences and inspire new generations of country artists. From the narrative ballads to the crossover hits, these songs perfectly encapsulate the spirit and evolution of country music in the '70s.

New Music Video From Sarah Darling - "Country Roads" (with Kenny Foster)

John Berry Covers John Denver - "Back Home Again"

In celebration of “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music’s biggest names and rising stars are paying tribute to some of the most nominated and awarded songs from the past five decades in the official “Forever Country Covers” series. Here, John Berry covers the 1975 CMA Single of the Year sung by John Denver, "Back Home Again."

Friday Five Flashback - The Muppet Show

I have been blessed to write contributions/reviews/interviews/opinion pieces for several country music and roots-oriented websites and publications over the years including Saving Country Music, Nashville Scene, Country California, Country Weekly, American Noise, The 9513 and Engine 145. As a regular contributor to the last two in that list, I did several hundred features/pieces. One of those was this fun Friday Five playlist that I will reprint here to give it a home in perpetuity. This piece was originally published in June 2010 in The 9513.

And now let's get things started  Why don't you get things started  It's time to get things started  On the most sensational inspirational celebrational Muppetational  This is what we call the Muppet Show!

Don’t deny it. You were singing along just now… 

Kermit taught us that it’s not easy being green. Or in Gonzo’s case, blue. For five years beginning in 1976 little felt characters brought us as much laughter and entertainment as anything else on television. For 120 episodes, Fozzie the Bear, Miss Piggy, Scooter, Rowlf, Beaker, Sam the Eagle, Animal and friends did everything they could do to make life hell for Statler and Waldorf. 

But along the way during this beloved show, a series of guest stars- most notably country music guest stars- sang alongside Jim Henson’s family doing originals and parodies of their biggest hits. It was a veritable whose who of big names in country music. Names like Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans appeared in various episodes. Even Waylon Jennings did a duet with Big Bird in a non-Muppets Show movie “Follow That Bird.” John Denver appeared in two exclusive Muppets specials (John Denver & the Muppets: A Christmas Together and John Denver & the Muppets: Rocky Mountain Holiday.)

Without further ado, here’s a Friday Five of great appearances by country music artists on The Muppet Show. 

5. Roy Clark (Season 3, Episode 51)- On this classic episode, Fozzie Bear hears Kermit say the show is "going country" with guest Roy Clark. The dimwitted bear then sends all the stagehands out to the country. Kermit ends up making Fozzie do all their work including scenery, curtains and backdrops. Fozzie catches the theater on fire in the process, but not before Roy Clark takes a break from hosting Hee Haw and hosts The Muppet Show instead.  Roy Clark gets to demonstrate his incredible musicianship on “Rocky Top” on this episode.




4. John Denver (Season 4, Episode 73)- The episode opens with Waldorf stopping by Denver’s dressing room and trying to talk him out of appearing on the episode. He’s aghast when he finds out Denver actually wants to be on the show. Denver sings on three songs on the episode, but this favorite called “The Garden Song” has him singing in a garden. It’s a garden that comes alive with singing Muppet plants. 



3. Loretta Lynn (Season 3, Episode 56)- In one of the funnier Muppet Show scenes ever, the Country Music Hall of Famer Loretta Lynn sings “Ones On The Way” with what seems like a dozen little realistic human baby Muppets that can’t stay out of the way. The kids whacking each other with baby toys is really darn funny. 



2. Kenny Rogers (Season 4, Episode 82)- In this episode, Scooter's uncle sells the mineral rights for Kenny's dressing room to Arabs, who start drilling for oil. Kenny performs two different tunes on the show, a his classic “The Gambler,” where he’s accompanied by three realistic-looking old men Muppets as well as a duet with several cast members on “Love Lifted Me.” More than love lifts Gonzo at the end of the episode when he shoots himself out of a catapult and into Statler and Waldorf’s box. 



1.  Johnny Cash (Season 5, Episode 117)- Miss Piggy is trying to cut into June Carter’s action here as Johnny duets with the lovely curly tailed one on “Jackson.” The best tune of the show, however, is the original “Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog” where he insults Rowlf the piano player as he sings. Johnny’s backing band on this episode has the world’s coolest band name: Lubbock Lou and his Jughuggers.  
 

A Case For The Class of 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame Selection

Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is country music's highest honor. The Country Music Association (CMA), the country music industry's trade organization, created the accolade to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of country music by individuals in both the creative and business communities. The first members-Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, and Hank Williams-were inducted in 1961.

It’s also quite possibly one of the more debatable arguments in country music. Each time a column is posted here, omissions are complained about and oversights are pleaded. And as we turn the page, let’s start the debate on who will be selected for this year’s class- traditionally announced in early Spring.

In 2009, the Hall changed the way it categorizes its selectees. Three new members will continue to be inducted every year, with one each coming from the new categories, which will be renamed and defined as follows:

Modern Era: An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence. They will remain eligible for that category for the next 25 years. This replaces the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present” category.

Veterans Era: An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence. This combines the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975″ (which was voted on annually) and “Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II” (which was voted on every third year in rotation) categories into one.

Rotating Categories: The third slot will continue to be a rotating category, with each group in the spotlight every third year. The Recording and/or Touring Musician and Non Performer slots will remain, joined by a new Songwriter category. 2016’s selection will come from the non-performer category.

These are the ones that I believe should be inducted- and hopefully not posthumously for those still alive on this list.

10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits “Take Me Home”, “Rocky Mountain High” and “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” are sing-along standards.

9. Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen films. As a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.

8. Kenny Chesney- It's hard to imagine that he's old enough to qualify for the Country Music Hall of Fame, but it was 20 years ago that Kenny Chesney released his first major label album with BNA. Chesney has been country music’s biggest and most-active stadium draw for the last decade or so, sold 30 million albums and has had over 30 Top 10 singles.

7. Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.

6. The Judds- As one of the most successful acts in country music history, Wynonna and Naomi Judd won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. The duo also charted twenty-five singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, fourteen of which went to Number One and six more of which made Top Ten on the same chart.

5. Randy Travis- Travis has recorded more than a dozen important studio albums and single-handedly started the neo-traditionalist movement in the 80’s. He charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One. He's gone through some significant health issues over the past couple of years which could influence the sentimental vote or mentally cause the voters to wait a couple more years as he continues to heal.

4. Dallas Frazier - Frazier is the songwriter’s songwriter. His tunes were recorded by George Jones (who recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1968), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jack Greene, Connie Smith (who also recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1972), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Carola, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Elvis Presley, Moe Bandy, Roy Head, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, and Ronnie Hawkins. Many of the songs became hits into the 1980s; examples include the Oak Ridge Boys cover of "Elvira" and Emmylou Harris's version of "Beneath Still Waters". Anne Murray with Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless have all also recorded Frazier tunes.

3. Sydney Nathan - Who, you say? My friend, author and country music historian KF Raizor says it best:  "In the early 40's the hotbed of country music wasn't Nashville, it was Cincinnati.  While publishing companies and record labels pooh-poohed the idea of signing "hillbilly" singers or, worse, publishing their songs, Syd Nathan used his keen businessman's sense and noticed that "hillbilly" records were selling very, very well in his Cincinnati record store.  With a deep well of talent to draw from in the area (including future hall of famers Merle Travis, Grandpa Jones, Homer & Jethro, and the Delmore Brothers, and should-be hall of famers such as Moon Mullican and Cowboy Copas), Sydney Nathan founded the nation's first all-hillbilly music label in 1943, King Records.  Nathan has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the label's work with pioneering R&B acts such as James Brown, and into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame because of the presence of the Stanley Brothers and Reno & Smiley.  He did much more for country music than either of those genres, and yet he continues to be ignored by the genre of music he helped popularize thanks to easy access to recordings." With this being the non-performer category, it could be Nathan's turn.

2. Alan Jackson- An accomplished songwriter, Jackson wrote much of his first album, which remained on the U.S. country charts for more than a year. His next two albums, Don't Rock the Jukebox (1991) and A Lot About Livin' (and a Little 'Bout Love) (1992) were even bigger hits, spawning five No.1 singles each. Notable among these hits were "Love's Got a Hold on You," "Midnight in Montgomery" (Jackson's tribute to the legendary country star Hank Williams), and "Chattahoochee." With the 1994 release of his fifth album, Who I Am, Jackson's record sales reached a total of over 10 million. Throughout the course of his career, Jackson has been honored with over 45 awards from organizations like the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA). He released his Greatest Hits album in 1995 and won eight major awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year.

1. Hank Williams, Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. His discography consists of fifty-six studio albums and twenty-two compilation albums. He has released 106 singles and twenty-four music videos. Eleven of his singles have reached Number One in either the United States or Canada. Hank Williams Jr. has sold more than 70 million albums world-wide. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.

Consideration should also be given to June Carter Cash, Dottie West, Dwight Yoakam, the Wilburn Brothers, Paul Overstreet, Linda Ronstadt, Larry Gatlin, the Stanley Brothers, Johnny Horton, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss & Union Station (someday), Crystal Gayle, Charlie Rich, Rose Maddox, Tanya Tucker, Anne Murray, Crystal Gayle and Brooks and Dunn. Hopefully, all will eventually be elected.

A Case For The Next 2014 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees

Election to the Country Music Hall of Fame is country music's highest honor. The Country Music Association (CMA), the country music industry's trade organization, created the accolade to recognize significant contributions to the advancement of country music by individuals in both the creative and business communities. The first members-Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, and Hank Williams-were inducted in 1961.

It’s also quite possibly one of the more debatable arguments in country music. Each time a column is posted here (or on sites such as The 9513 and Engine 145 that I contribute to as well), omissions are complained about and oversights are pleaded. And as we turn the page, let’s start the debate on who will be selected for this year’s class.

In 2009, the Hall changed the way it categorizes its selectees. Three new members will continue to be inducted every year, with one each coming from the new categories, which will be renamed and defined as follows:

Modern Era: An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 20 years after they first achieve national prominence. They will remain eligible for that category for the next 25 years. This replaces the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between 1975 and the Present” category.

Veterans Era: An artist becomes eligible for induction in this category 45 years after they first achieve national prominence. This combines the former “Career Achieved National Prominence Between World War II and 1975″ (which was voted on annually) and “Career Achieved National Prominence Prior to World War II” (which was voted on every third year in rotation) categories into one.

Rotating Categories: The third slot will continue to be a rotating category, with each group in the spotlight every third year. The Recording and/or Touring Musician and Non Performer slots will remain, joined by a new Songwriter category. 2014’s selection will come from the songwriter category.

These are the ones that we believe should be inducted- and hopefully not posthumously for those still alive on this list.

10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits “Take Me Home”, “Rocky Mountain High” and “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” are sing-along standards.

9. Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen films. As a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.

8. Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.

7. The Judds- As one of the most successful acts in country music history, Wynonna and Naomi Judd won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. The duo also charted twenty-five singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, fourteen of which went to Number One and six more of which made Top Ten on the same chart.

6. Randy Travis- Travis has recorded more than a dozen important studio albums and single-handedly started the neo-traditionalist movement in the 80’s. He charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One.

5. Dallas Frazier (tie)- Frazier is the songwriter’s songwriter.His tunes were recorded by George Jones (who recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1968), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jack Greene, Connie Smith (who also recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1972), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Carola, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Elvis Presley, Moe Bandy, Roy Head, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, and Ronnie Hawkins. Many of the songs became hits into the 1980s; examples include the Oak Ridge Boys cover of "Elvira" and Emmylou Harris's version of "Beneath Still Waters". Anne Murray with Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless have all also recorded Frazier tunes.

5. Hank Cochran (tie)- This being a songwriter year category, another great candidate that should be considered for selection is the veritable everyman songwriter Hank Cochran. Eddy Arnold, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, Natalie Cole, Elvis Costello, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Mickey Gilley, Vern Gosdin, Merle Haggard, Burl Ives, Jamey Johnson, George Jones, Norah Jones, Loretta Lynn, Henry Mancini, Dean Martin, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Brad Paisley, Johnny Paycheck, Elvis Presley, Ray Price, Jim Reeves, Linda Ronstadt, Dinah Shore, Nancy Sinatra, George Strait, Hank Williams Jr, Lee Ann Womack, and Keith Whitley are just some of the artists who have cut Cochran-penned tunes. The only melancholy part of this selection would be that Cochran passed away back in 2010.

4. Oak Ridge Boys- While their history dates back much further, they had a run of twelve years from 1977 to 1989 where they were THE band until they gave way to Alabama. Can anyone NOT sing all the words to their biggest hit Elvira?

3. Alan Jackson- An accomplished songwriter, Jackson wrote much of his first album, which remained on the U.S. country charts for more than a year. His next two albums, Don't Rock the Jukebox (1991) and A Lot About Livin' (and a Little 'Bout Love) (1992) were even bigger hits, spawning five No.1 singles each. Notable among these hits were "Love's Got a Hold on You," "Midnight in Montgomery" (Jackson's tribute to the legendary country star Hank Williams), and "Chattahoochee." With the 1994 release of his fifth album, Who I Am, Jackson's record sales reached a total of over 10 million. Throughout the course of his career, Jackson has been honored with over 45 awards from organizations like the Academy of Country Music (ACM) and the Country Music Association (CMA). He released his Greatest Hits album in 1995 and won eight major awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year.

2. Hank Williams, Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.

1. Ronnie Milsap- One of the top recording artists of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ronnie Milsap is credited with forty number-one songs on the country charts, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty. 40. Amazing career.

Consideration should also be given to Jim Ed Brown and The Browns, Dwight Yoakam, the Wilburn Brothers, Paul Overstreet, Linda Ronstadt, Larry Gatlin, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss & Union Station (someday), Crystal Gayle, Rose Maddox, Tanya Tucker, Anne Murray and Brooks and Dunn. Hopefully, all will eventually be elected.

Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2012 To Be Announced Tomorrow- Who Should Get In?

Tomorrow is the day. Tomorrow is the announcement of what three artists will be the next inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2012. 


Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard were announced as the latest members to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame- the class of 2011.

Those three are extremely deserving and very worthy candidates. But there are others that should be in as well- and not posthumously.


While I have absolutely no say in the matter, I would like rerun a column that I wrote this past June- a list of the music acts I believe to the most deserving to be inducted into The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame.


10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits “Take Me Home”, “Rocky Mountain High” and “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” are sing-along standards.


9.Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen filmsAs a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.


8. (tie) Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.


8. (tie) The Judds- As one of the most successful acts in country music history, Wynonna and Naomi Judd won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. The duo also charted twenty-five singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, fourteen of which went to Number One and six more of which made Top Ten on the same chart.


7. Randy Travis- Travis has recorded more than a dozen important studio albums and single-handedly started the neo-traditionalist movement in the 80’s. He charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One.


6. Dallas Frazier- Frazier is the songwriter’s songwriter.His tunes were recorded by George Jones (who recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1968), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jack Greene, Connie Smith (who also recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1972), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Carola, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Elvis Presley, Moe Bandy, Roy Head, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, and Ronnie Hawkins. Many of the songs became hits into the 1980s; examples include the Oak Ridge Boys cover of "Elvira" and Emmylou Harris's version of "Beneath Still Waters". Anne Murray with Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless have all also recorded Frazier tunes.


5. (tie) Oak Ridge Boys- While their history dates back much further, they had a run of twelve years from 1977 to 1989 where they were THE band until they gave way to Alabama. Can anyone NOT sing all the words to their biggest hit Elvira?


5. (tie) Connie Smith- Still possessing one of Nashville’s most beautiful voices to this day, Smith’s recording of “Once A Day” became the first debut single in country music history by a female artist to reach number one, a record that Smith maintained for the next 25 years. She was a fixture on country radio in the second half of the 60’s and most of the 70’s.


4. Hank Williams Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.


3. Garth Brooks- He’s the youngest of the bunch but has done more single-handedly to raise the popularity of country music more than any other artist since Johnny Cash. And that’s pretty good company. With more albums sold than any other artist EVER, he’s a no-brainer.


2. Ronnie Milsap- One of the top recording artists of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ronnie Milsap is credited with forty number-one songs on the country charts, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty. 40. Amazing career.

1. Kenny Rogers- I’ve already made my case here at That Nashville Sound. They’ve waited too long already for The Gambler.


Consideration should also given to Jim Ed Brown and The Browns,  the Wilburn Brothers, Paul Overstreet, Alison Krauss & Union Station (someday), Crystal Gayle, Rose Maddox, Tanya Tucker, Anne Murray, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn. Hopefully, all will eventually be elected.

Previously Unreleased John Denver Song Sees The Light Of Day

John Denver, best known for his 1970's folk-country smashes "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Leaving on a Jet Plane" and "Rocky Mountain High," has a new song that is seeing the light of the day 15 years after his death.

"The Wandering Soul (Love Is the Answer)," written in the early 1990's by Denver, was performed once live but never tracked in a studio. It is understood to be the final song written by the musician. John Denver fan and Oregon author-filmmaker-musician James Twyman has recently recorded the song and has made it into a new music video you can watch below.

"I was immediately moved," Twyman wrote in an e-mail to fans, "not just because it was significant that he never had the chance to share the song [through a studio recording], but because it was one of the best, most spiritual songs he ever wrote."

The Top Tens- The All-Time Best Music Acts Deserving To Be NEXT Inductees In The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame

Earlier this year, it was announced that Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard were announced as the newest members to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame- the class of 2011.

Shepard had been a strong candidate for the past several years, but just couldn’t seem to get the votes to get her in. She had 44 charted hits between 1953 and 1978 and has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years. Her first hit, "A Dear John Letter", a 1953 duet with Ferlin Husky, was the first post-World War II record by a woman country artist to sell more than a million copies.


For Reba McEntire, her box set that came out a couple years back prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that she’s worthy- 50 hit singles that are some of this generation’s top songs. Some of her best known songs include “You Lie,” “Rumor Has It,” “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night the Lights Went Out In Georgia,” “Take It Back,” “The Heart Won’t Lie” (a duet with Vince Gill), and “Does He Love You” (a duet with Linda Davis, which a CMA as well a Grammy Award).


Braddock is known for classics like “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” to more modern hits like “I Wanna Talk About Me” and the recent “People Are Crazy.”


All are extremely deserving and very worthy candidates. But there are others that should be in as well- and not posthumously.


While I have absolutely no say in the matter, I would like to present this month’s top ten list- The All-Time Best Music Acts Deserving To Be In The Country Music Hall-Of-Fame.


10. John Denver- Might as well start with the most controversial first. In 1975, previous Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Charlie Rich set fire to Denver’s winning envelope rather than announce the win. Some considered it a statement against country pop and the Music Row-controlled Nashville Sound. But looking closer, he was one of the top album sellers in the 70’s, won several country music awards, 2 Grammys, and his hits “Take Me Home”, “Rocky Mountain High” and “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” are sing-along standards.


9.Jerry Reed- The CMHOF has a history of inviting comedians and actors (Minnie Pearl) and Jerry Reed belongs in. Jerry Reed, was an country music singer, country guitarist, session musician, songwriter and actor who appeared in over a dozen filmsAs a singer, he may be best known for Amos Moses, and When You're Hot, You're Hot, for which he received a Grammy in 1972 and East Bound and Down, the theme song to the film Smokey and the Bandit in which he portrayed the "Snowman", Cledus Snow.


8. (tie) Charlie Daniels- The man who made southern country/rock a new genre, he should be in for his fiddling ability alone. “The Devil Went Down To Georgia” is quite possibly the most recognizable country song ever recorded- he’s been a music hero for close to 40 years.


8. (tie) The Judds- As one of the most successful acts in country music history, Wynonna and Naomi Judd won five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. The duo also charted twenty-five singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, fourteen of which went to Number One and six more of which made Top Ten on the same chart.


7. Randy Travis- Travis has recorded more than a dozen important studio albums and single-handedly started the neo-traditionalist movement in the 80’s. He charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, of which sixteen have reached Number One.


6. Dallas Frazier- Frazier is the songwriter’s songwriter.His tunes were recorded by George Jones (who recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1968), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jack Greene, Connie Smith (who also recorded an entire album of Frazier's songs in 1972), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Carola, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Gene Watson, Elvis Presley, Moe Bandy, Roy Head, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, and Ronnie Hawkins. Many of the songs became hits into the 1980s; examples include the Oak Ridge Boys cover of "Elvira" and Emmylou Harris's version of "Beneath Still Waters". Anne Murray with Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless have all also recorded Frazier tunes.


5. (tie) Oak Ridge Boys- While their history dates back much further, they had a run of twelve years from 1977 to 1989 where they were THE band until they gave way to Alabama. Can anyone NOT sing all the words to their biggest hit Elvira?


5. (tie) Connie Smith- Still possessing one of Nashville’s most beautiful voices to this day, Smith’s recording of “Once A Day” became the first debut single in country music history by a female artist to reach number one, a record that Smith maintained for the next 25 years. She was a fixture on country radio in the second half of the 60’s and most of the 70’s.


4. Hank Williams Jr.- He is another long overdue selection. He had two careers, each of them probably worthy of induction. His early standards Eleven Roses are just as HOF-worthy as his later standards like Family Tradition. Put him in with a plaque right next to his father.


3. Garth Brooks- He’s the youngest of the bunch but has done more single-handedly to raise the popularity of country music more than any other artist since Johnny Cash. And that’s pretty good company. With more albums sold than any other artist EVER, he’s a no-brainer.


2. Ronnie Milsap- One of the top recording artists of the 1970’s and 1980’s, Ronnie Milsap is credited with forty number-one songs on the country charts, third only to George Strait and Conway Twitty. 40. Amazing career.

1. Kenny Rogers- I’ve already made my case here. They’ve waited too long already for The Gambler.


Consideration should also given to Jim Ed Brown and The Browns,  the Wilburn Brothers, Paul Overstreet, Alison Krauss & Union Station (someday), Crystal Gayle, Anne Murray, Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn. Hopefully, all will eventually be elected.

TNS Video History- John Denver & Johnny Cash- "Take Me Home, Country Roads"