NASHVILLE –The Country Music Association hosted its 16th Annual Artist Luncheon featuring a panel of the Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees – Jerry Bradley, Brooks & Dunn and Ray Stevens. Artist members of the trade association were invited to hear first-hand about each inductee’s journey to icon status and their specific role in making Country Music history. The panel was hosted by WSM radio personality Bill Cody at Stevens’ CabaRay Showroom in Nashville.
In addition to getting an insider’s perspective from the panel of industry legends, Artist members enjoyed lunch together and networked with members of the Country Music Hall of Fame along with other industry colleagues.
Bradley will be inducted in the “Non-Performer” category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the “Recording and/or Touring Musician” and “Songwriter” categories. Brooks & Dunn are being inducted in the “Modern Era Artist” category, and Stevens will be inducted in the “Veterans Era Artist” category.
A formal induction ceremony will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in the CMA Theater in October. Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite of induction for new members.
CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor.
About the Country Music Association
Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,600 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network in the U.S.
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