Country Hall of Fame Still Has Work To Do

In 2005 the Country Music Hall Of Fame added a new performer category which is something like "career achieved national prominence from 1975 to present". This is in addition to the WWII to 1975 category. In 2006, Sonny James got the latter nod and George Strait got the former. But its the 75 to present that most intrigues me. The first 2 inductees were certainly sure-shots. But I begin to wonder about the date of 1975. Remember the Country Hall, unlike the Rock Hall is not a critic's institution. Alabama were not loved by Country critics. And Sonny James rarely ranks on a list of Country greats. Fellow artists also vote and they can make a difference. Anyway, back to the 75-present category. That would exclude women like Tanya Tucker and Barbara Mandrell who first charted in the early 70's. And it would leave out Ronnie Milsap and Don Williams who also hit in the early 70's. So, here's a few names that I would like to see the Country Hall induct that first charted from 1975 and forward:
Emmylou Harris 1975
John Anderson 1977
Rodney Crowell 1978
Rosanne Cash 1979
Ricky Skaggs 1980
Randy Travis 1979
Patty Loveless 1985
Reba McEntire 1976
Kenny Rogers 1975

As for pre-1975 artists, I'm still waiting for Charlie Rich, Tom T. Hall and even the Statler Brothers to get the nod.