The Judds, Ray Charles Among 2021 Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductees

Ray Charles and The Judds are among the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees this year.

Reba McEntire, who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, hosted a virtual announcement Monday (August 16) to announce this year’s inductees.

Charles and The Judds join drummer Eddie Bayers and guitarist Pete Drake in one of country music’s most coveted, exclusive groups.

New members of the Country Music Hall of Fame are elected annually by a panel of industry executives chosen by the Country Music Association. The honorees are inducted in three categories: modern era, veterans era and one of three rotating categories, including non-performer, songwriter and recording and/or touring musician.

Ray Charles is coming in under the veteran’s era section.

Mother-daughter duo Naomi and Wynonna Judd, who first hit the country charts in 1983, and a year later, earned their first No. 1 with “Mama He’s Crazy,” go in under the modern era section. The Judds are the first all-female duo or group to be inducted.

“As an artist, it’s wonderful to be included in the family of country and as a believer, I thank God for my gift. As an American, it’s just wonderful to celebrate anything,” Wynonna said during the announcement.