Country Music HOF Adds Cash, Chesney, Brown
• The Country Music Association gathered at the prestigious Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Tuesday to reveal the 2025 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame — June Carter Cash, Kenny Chesney, and musician/producer/record executive Tony Brown.
Cash, died on May 15, 2003, at age 73, will be inducted into the Veterans Era Artist category; Chesney will be inducted in the Modern Era Artist category; and Brown will be inducted in the Non-Performer category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the Songwriter and Recording and/or Touring Musician categories.
“This year’s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment. Their achievements speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers, and the impact of their work will continue to inspire future generations. There’s something incredibly special about being able to surprise each inductee or their family with this recognition — it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, knowing how deeply their careers have touched the lives of so many, including myself. It is with great pride that we honor these three remarkable individuals and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created within our format.”
“All three of the new inductees have left indelible impacts on the genre and firmly established themselves as unforgettable contributors to Country Music,” says Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “North Carolina native Tony Brown is a trailblazing record producer and executive who has helped shape the sound of modern Country since the 1980s, supervising many best-selling records while also ushering in outsider talents to the genre. Virginia-born June Carter Cash was a vibrant torchbearer of her family’s enduring Country Music legacy, who forged her own distinctive path during her more than 60-year career as a beloved singer, comedienne and songwriter. And Kenny Chesney, from Tennessee, has maintained one of the biggest hitmaking careers in Country Music since 2000, with more than 50 Top 10 hits, 16 Platinum albums, and is a regular top touring act who continues to delight audiences. Fittingly, they will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame with their illustrious peers who shaped our art form.” [June Carter Cash photo: Marty Stuart / Kenny Chesney photo: Allister Ann / Tony Brown photo: Jason Lowrie]
