As two of a record-setting twelve acts to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame this year, the Everly Brothers and Sam Phillips join Johnny Cash as the only living artists to split residence in both the CMHoF and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The sibling duo and Phillips will also join a slightly larger, yet no less legendary, list of five other acts in both Halls: Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Bob Wills, Bill Monroe and Elvis Presley.
The Everlys were among a trio of sibling duos (the Louvin Brothers and the Delmore Brothers, the others) who will be inducted into the Country Hall on October 4th, the first class to enter the Hall's new, lavish shrine to Country Music, which opened earlier this year. The brotherly pairs will be joined by a diverse group of inductees that include outlaw progenitor Waylon Jennings, Fifties hitmaker Webb Pierce, vocal ensemble the Jordanaires, singer-songwriter Don Gibson, singer-songwriter/television host "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson, picker/comedians Homer and Jethro, and two record label execs, Don Law and Ken Nelson.
The CMHoF traditionally inducts a pair of performers each year, having opened the doors a little wider to allow four inductees in 1966, 1967 and 1998. The size of this year's class is without precedent, as the Hall expands ranks to better fill its new facility. "Recognizing their contributions during a special celebration event affords us the time necessary to honor their extraordinary contributions to country music with participation from the entire industry," said CMA Executive Director Ed Benson.
ANDREW DANSBY
(July 10, 2001)