It was a bittersweet weekend at the Country Music Hall of Fame when The Judds, Eddie Bayers, Pete Drake,  and Ray Charles were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The sad news broke out on Saturday afternoon, just one day before the induction, that Judds matriarch Naomi had died at the age of 76.  Charles died in 2004 at the age of 73.

Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and Vince Gill were among the artists to perform at the induction ceremony.

Daughter and fellow The Judds member Wynona; along with sister actor Ashely Judd, were on hand to participate in the ceremonies; holding hands and speaking through tears.  Wynona promised to continue singing.

Outside the museum fans were drawn to a white floral bouquet and a framed photo of Naomi…a single rose had been placed on the ground.

Known primarily as an R&B/Soul performer, a Georgia native Ray Charles grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry.  In 1962 Charles released “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”, an album that went on to be one of the best selling albums of the time.  His single “I Can’t Stop Loving You” spent five weeks at the top of the Billboard singles chart.

Ray Charles joins Ronnie Milsap, who is also blind, as a member of the Hall of Fame and is the third man of colour to be a part of The Hall along with DeFord Bailey and Charley Pride.

Also inducted were drummer Eddie BAyers who is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has appeared on over 300 recordings that have sold over one million copies each; and pedal steel man Pete Drake who has played on some of the biggest hits in Nashville.  Drake is credited with creating the talk box which enable the performer to “sing” through the guitar.