ROOTS of Country Music

Questionable Country Music Hall of Fame Induction

The Country Music Association (CMA) inducts Songwriter Bobby Braddock into the Country Music Hall of Fame (HOF) in 2011.

In 1961 the Country Music Association (CMA) announced the creation of the Country Music Hall of Fame and chose its first three inductees Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and Fred Rose. In 1963, there was no induction. At the time, CMA rules did not stipulate the inductee had to be unanimous and voting was divided that year.

Consequently, CMA rescinded their rules, but the selection process remains somewhat subjectivie. Inductions were generally justifiable until the mid-80s, when subjectivity began to overtake reasoning. Selections should be based upon those who achieved a level of success matched or exceeded by few, or their influence has had a wide reaching effect on others, sometimes beyond their own profession.

Many members have been inducted posthumously or near the end of their careers. Lefty Frizzell is a notable example. He died in 1975 and was inducted in 1982. Marty Robbins was inducted the same year and died two months later. A few blazed in early, making it possible to be recognized before passing on. Kitty Wells who is still alive (b. 8/30/1919) at this writing was inducted in 1976. At age 49, Chet Atkins (6/20/1924 ~ 6/30/ 2001) was the youngest living member to be inducted.

Some artists have been overlooked or have yet to have their name called while others have been unjustifiably or prematurely inducted.

Bobby Braddock is the most recent example. With all due respect to Bobby Braddock and his unique talent, there is no justification for selecting him over songwriter, Bob McDill. McDill has written thirty-one No. 1 singles, while Braddock has only six. What is the measure of success? What is CMA's method for selections? What is the purpose of the HOF?

The quantity and quality of Bob McDill's  successes is impressive, but equally impressive is the number of years over which he has spread them. Bob’s songs were the backbone of country music for three decades.

McDill made his mark with a string of hits that include: Good Ole Boys Like Me, Amanda, Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold), Don't Close Your Eyes, She Don't Know She's Beautiful, All the Good Ones Are Gone, Gone Country, Catfish John, Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer and Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On. In 1985, McDill had six songs on the Billboard singles chart, all in the same week.

Things seemed to get better and better for Bob as he eventually penned a total of thirty-one number one country music hits. McDill has received 37 BMI performance awards and 17 ASCAP performance awards, including: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1985); NSAI\Songwriter of the Year (1976); BMI\Citation of Achievement (1979); NSAI\Songwriter of the Year, BMI\Songwriter of the Year (1985); NSAI\Songwriter of the Year (1989) and ASCAP\Songwriter of the Year (1994).

Bob is a publisher as well as a clever writer, a sportsman and traveler. But most of all, he is an artist and a innovator. Without question, Bob McDill has earned his place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Written by Richard Bell. Roots of Country Music Oct. 16, 2011.