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Bobby Bare, “Cowboy” Jack Clement and Kenny Rogers soon officially will be hall of famers. The stars are set to become the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum later this year. All three artists are known for creating chart-topping music that crossed over to gain new audiences in the country and pop genres.
Bare will be inducted to the “Veterans Era Artist” category. His records dominated both the country and pop charts with his hit “The All American Boy” becoming the second biggest single in the U.S. in December of 1959.
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“This is big – an honor and the validation of a dream, totally unexpected,” said Bare. “Now, I’ll be famous forever. Thanks to all of my supporters, and thank you, CMA.”
Clement will be inducted into the “Non-Performer” category, which is awarded every three years. He became a prominent part of Johnny Cash’s career, writing some of the music legend’s biggest hits, including “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” and arranging the hit “Ring of Fire.” Cash’s success helped pave the way for Clement to become a successful producer whose compositions have been recorded by Ray Charles, Dolly Parton and others.
“I’ve been chosen for the Country Music Hall of Fame? I thought I was already in the hall of fame,” said Clement. “I could have gotten in there any time I wanted. Kyle [Young] gave me a key.”
Rogers, the eighth best-selling male artist of all time, will be the newest addition to the “Modern Era Artist” category. His release of three No. 1 albums has led him to record top singles across several musical genres including jazz, folk and country. His collaboration with Lionel Richie, “Lady,” climbed the pop charts leading him to produce Richie’s album Share Your Love.
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“I find it remarkable that all three 2013 honorees were born in the 1930s during the worldwide Great Depression and commercial country music’s formative years, said Kyle Young, director of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “They were present for the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, the ’60s folk revival, the ascent of hard country and the rise of sophisticated pop country with a global impact.”
Bare, Clements and Rogers will join Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and other country icons to make for a total of 121 members in the hall of fame.
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