The Country Music Association has named the 2024 class to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Songwriter, Non-performer, and Recording and/or Touring Musician categories rotate each year. This year it was the Recording and/or Touring Musician category with James Burton getting named.
In the Veterans Era Artist category, it was John Anderson and the Modern Era Artist is Toby Keith.
Hall of Famers Brooks & Dunn hosted the event that was held in the Rotunda of the Hall of Fame.
The official induction ceremony will be held at the Hall of Fame and Museum theater in October. With the recent passing of Toby Keith; his will be a posthumous induction.
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern spoke on the new inductees saying, “this year’s nominees exemplify the excellence of our genre. James, John and Toby have each made an indelible impact and brought their distinctive contributions to Country Music, enriching our format. Their influence is evident throughout the longevity of their careers, ensuring each legacy will thrive indefinitely. It is with great pride that we welcome these three remarkable individuals into the esteemed ranks of the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
James Burton spoke on how he learned of his upcoming induction saying, “well, I was on the phone with Keith Urban and kind of felt that Keith was beating around the bush a bit and small talking me. He (Urban) then stated that he was going to hand the phone to a young lady for a minute. I thought it was a friend of Keith’s that just wanted to say hi or talk guitars. Instead, she introduced herself (Sarah Trahern) and simply said ‘Mr. Burton, you’ve been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.’ I was completely shocked and couldn’t think of anything to say. Burton noted that at first he didn’t believe it and redialed the phone to make sure it wasn’t a prank; adding that he was “humbled and excited to be recognized”.
John Anderson noted, “after several days, I am still trying to grasp the reality of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. It is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive. My love and heartfelt gratitude goes out to the fans who have supported me through the years, everyone at the Country Music Hall of Fame, and all of those who made this possible. I am proud and honored beyond words.”
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer Kyle Young spoke on the new inductees saying, “each of the three new inductees has left a deep and distinctive stamp on our genre. Florida native John Anderson helped steer Country Music back to its traditions with his bold honky-tonk style. James Burton, who hails from Louisiana, blended Country and Blues to create a fiery picking style that distinguished countless hits and has inspired guitarists the world over. Toby Keith from Oklahoma brought a sly swagger and a patriotic passion to songs that made him one of the best selling Country artists of the past 30 years. They have all proufoundly shaped our music, and we are honored and delighted that their achievements will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
James Burton has played with Ricky Nelson, Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr., Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, the Everly Brothers, the Monkees, Elvis Costello, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Denver, and Buffalo Springfield. Burton is a member of the Rock and Roll and Musicians Halls of Fame.
Born in Apopka, (near Orlando) Florida; John David Anderson began playing in bands while he was still very young. After high school he moved to Nashville finding musical work wherever he could; including working on the Grand Ole Opry roof. He released his self-titled debut album in 1980 but it was the 1982 hit that made John Anderson a household name with “Swingin’”. The song went on the be the CMA Single of the Year. Anderson has gone on to record numerous hits over the past 40 years.
Born Toby Keith Covel near Oklahoma City, a young Toby cut his musical teeth at his grandmother’s super club. Later he toured the area with his band Easy Money and soon began writing his own songs. Some of those songs went on to become some of his hits including chart toppers. Over the next 40 years, Keith had numerous hits, multi platinum albums, and has been inducted into the Oklahoma, Songwriters, and Nashville Songwriters Halls of Fame. Dying February 5, 2024 as a result of stomach cancer, Keith has the National Medal of the Arts and a BMI Icon Award.