Hall Right

In one brilliant move the Country Music Hall of Fame made itself relevant. In 2001, after years of inducting one, maybe two acts, the Hall inducted 12! in one shot. Seeing that they had a backlog of deserving artists, they did the right thing. Since then, they've been inducting 3 a year in 3 categories: Pre -1975, Post-75 and non-Performing artist. This year's nominees are all deserving. Vince Gill might seem too young, and I'm surprised that in the post-75 category he got more support than Reba McEntire, who seems a shoo-in. Mel Tillis? Great songwriter before he began having hits. And Ralph Emery? Not a fan of his smugness, but he has been a champion for Old Time Country. So guess what? Like any Hall it's missing some good names. My focus is on pre-75. How about Tom T. Hall? Or Johnny Paycheck and Charlie Rich? Maybe even Barbara Mandrell and Jean Shepherd. I have a feeling that Hall and Mandrell will be in someday. Paycheck was too much the outlaw, Rich pissed of the CMA in 1975 by appearing onstage drunk and Shepherd has been forgotten by all but Grand Ole Opry fans. But RRHOF critics should look at the Country Hall for inspiration. How about in one year the RRHOF induct a boatload. Yes, Hall critic's will have a field day. They already complain that there are too many inductees. But they're wrong. Like the Country one the Rock Hall has a big backlog of names. Do they have the guts to do it?