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Last night Joe Galante, Jerry Lee Lewis and Keith Whitley became the 147th, 148th and 149th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame as they were formally inducted during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater.
Galante, Lewis and Whitley received country music’s highest distinction and were honored 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.
Joe Galante (Non-Performer category)
Galante distinguished himself as one of country music’s most successful record executives. He helped steer the careers of Alabama, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, the Judds, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Keith Whitley and other best-selling artists. Born in New York, he joined RCA Records after college and moved to the label’s Nashville office in 1974. Eight years later, he became head of RCA Nashville. He rose to hold a series of key label-executive positions, including president of RCA Records’ U.S. operations, head of RLG Nashville and, finally, chairman of Sony Music Nashville until his retirement in 2010.
- Alabama performing “My Home’s in Alabama”
- Miranda Lambert singing “White Liar”
- Kenny Chesney with “The Good Stuff”
- Medallion presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Kix Brooks
Keith Whitley (Modern Era Artist category)
A premier vocal stylist, Keith Whitley (1954-1989) helped define country music’s new traditionalist resurgence of the 1980s. Born near Sandy Hook, Kentucky, he proved an adept singer and guitarist as a youngster. After apprenticing in the bluegrass bands of Ralph Stanley and J. D. Crowe, he signed with RCA Records. In five years as a solo artist, he recorded a dozen Top 20 country singles, including five consecutive #1 hits. His career was cut tragically short at age 34. Five months after his death, his recording of “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” was named CMA Single of the Year for 1989.
- Mickey Guyton performing “When You Say Nothing at All”
- Country Music Hall of Fame member Ricky Skaggs, Molly Tuttle and Justin Moses singing “Tennessee Blues”
- Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks with “Don’t Close Your Eyes”
- Medallion presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame member Garth Brooks
Jerry Lee Lewis (Veterans Era Artist category)
An explosive rockabilly showman, Jerry Lee Lewis was also among country music’s most expressive performers, with a distinctive and dynamic style as a singer and pianist. His biggest releases on Sun Records, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire,” were country #1s as well as pop hits. In the late 1960s, the Louisiana native shifted from rock & roll to country recordings, invigorating his artistry. Between 1968 and 1981, he had 34 Top 20 country hits, putting his personal stamp on songs ranging from classics by Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams to newer works by Mickey Newbury and Kris Kristofferson.
- Lee Ann Womack singing “Middle Age Crazy”
- The McCrary Sisters with “My God Is Real”
- Chris Isaak performing “Great Balls of Fire”
- Medallion Presentation: Country Music Hall of Fame members Hank Williams Jr. and Kris Kristofferson
The ceremony concluded with a performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” led by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson.
