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ORIGINAL ART & ENTERTAINMENT
 

Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame

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Country Music Hall of Fame
Medallion Ceremony Class of 2021

EDDIE BAYERS, RAY CHARLES, PETE DRAKE AND THE JUDDS
INDUCTED INTO THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 1, 2022 – In keeping with the wishes of the Judd family, who are grieving the sudden passing of Naomi Judd, the Medallion Ceremony proceeded with the formal induction of Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles, Pete Drake and The Judds as the 143rd, 144th, 145th and 146th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Tonight, in the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater, Bayers, Charles, Drake and The Judds received country music’s highest honor and were tributed with heartfelt remarks and inspired performances of songs associated with their careers. The following is a list of the artists (listed in the order they performed), as well the Hall of Fame members who were personally selected by each inductee to present them with their medallions.

Pete Drake (Recording and/or Touring Musician category)
Pedal steel guitarist Pete Drake (1932-1988) left a lasting mark not only on country music, but also on rock, gospel and folk music. He played on countless country hits, as well as folk and rock records by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, George Harrison and Country Music Hall of Fame member Elvis Presley. Drake was honored by:
 

  • Elizabeth Cook with "I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight"

  • Wendy Moten singing "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

  • Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy


Eddie Bayers (Recording and/or Touring Musician category)
Top studio drummer Eddie Bayers, who has been a fixture on the Nashville studio scene for more than four decades, developed longstanding working relationships with many artists such as The Judds, Kenny Chesney and Country Music Hall of Fame members Ricky Skaggs, George Strait and Alan Jackson. Artists paying homage to Bayers included:
 

  • Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill with "When I Call Your Name"

  • Trisha Yearwood performing "Walkaway Joe"

  • Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill

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The Judds (Modern Era Artist category)
Between 1984 and 1991, The Judds (mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna) scored a remarkable 20 Top Ten hits, including 14 #1s, and won five Grammys, nine CMA awards and seven ACM awards. The following artists honored The Judds:
 

  • Carly Pearce performing "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Ole Days)"

  • Gillian Welch and David Rawlings singing "Young Love"

  • Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs

  • Tommy Sims with "Love Can Build a Bridge"


Ray Charles (Veterans Era Artist category)
A pioneer of R&B, Ray Charles (1930-2004) was also enormously influential in country music. With his landmark 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, the soulful singer and pianist put his own indelible stamp on country songs, broadening the music’s appeal and audience. Charles was recognized by:
 

  • The War and Treaty singing "You Don’t Know Me"

  • Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks with "Seven Spanish Angels"

  • Bettye LaVette performing "I Can't Stop Loving You"

  • Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Ronnie Milsap


The ceremony concluded with a performance of "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" featuring Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart.

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