Reba McEntire, Bobby Braddock, and Jean Shepard are headed to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Singer Kix Brooks helped the Country Music Association make the announcement at an event in Nashville Tuesday morning. With his induction, Braddock also becomes the first inductee into the Country Music Hall's new Songwriter category. In acknowledging his induction, Braddock admitted the honor was taking him by surprise. Braddock has written numerous hits for a variety of artists, including Billy Currington's chart-topper "People Are Crazy," Tracy Lawrence's number one hit "Time Marches On," and George Jones' signature song, "He Stopped Loving Her Today," which earned him the CMA Song of the Year award. Shepard is being added to the Hall in the Veterans Era Artist, and is being honored as a trailblazer for women in country music. McEntire is being added as a Modern Era Artist. Over the course of her lengthy and successful career Reba has made a name for herself not only in music but as an actress -- in movies, on TV, and on Broadway. Musically Reba is the biggest female hitmaker in country music, with 35 chart-topping hits, 59 Top Ten singles, and more than 55-million albums sold. McEntire, Shepard, and Braddock will officially become members of the Country Music Hall of Fame at the annual Medallion Ceremony, which will be held in Nashville later this year.
In announcing Reba as an inductee Brooks made note that it was a bittersweet occasion for her. She didn't attend the event because she was at the bedside of her father, who suffered a stroke a few days ago and is now in a coma. However, Brooks read a statement from Reba, who said she was able to share her good news with her dad before his condition took a downward turn.
