CMA Announces Newest Inductees of Country Music Hall of Fame

Today, Feb. 4, the Country Music Association announced the next members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: Roy Clark, Barbara Mandrell and Charlie McCoy.After giving up a boxing career, Clark found success at a young age with playing the banjo. By the age of 17 he had already played at the Grand Ole Opry. Clark lived all over the U.S., moving from Washington, D.C., to New York and then to Las Vegas to perform at the Golden Nugget.  Then in 1963 he signed with Capitol Records and released his first single, “Tips of My Fingers.” After that Clark went on to perform on many television shows such as The Tonight Show and Beverly Hillbillies and co-hosted the show Hee-Haw, while continuing to put out successful Country albums as well. Clark has won 7 CMA Awards, a Grammy and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He and his wife currently live in Oklahoma.Barbara Mandrell grew up in a musically influenced home; her parents taught her to read music before she could even read English. She also learned how to play the accordion and the steel guitar at a young age. At 11 years old, she had already landed her first gig in Las Vegas. Over the years, Mandrell has had over 20 Top 10 hits, four CMA awards and two Grammys. She also went on to host a variety show with her two sisters on NBC, as well as appear in many television series. After a highly successful career, Mandrell announced in 1997 that she was retiring from Country Music, and her farewell show was held at the Grand Ole Opry. A native of Miami, Fla., Charlie McCoy is a very talented musician. He learned to play the harmonica at the age of 8 and can also play the keyboard, bass, guitar and drums. By 1961 McCoy was one of Nashville’s most successful musicians, primarily playing drums. McCoy went on to play with hundreds of famous musicians including Elvis Presley, Ringo Starr, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings and the list goes on.  By 1968 McCoy put out his first solo album, and his second album, The Real McCoy, came out just a short year later. Since then, McCoy has released 11 more albums and received several awards, including a CMA Award and a Grammy. Today, McCoy and his wife, Pat, still live in Nashville and spend their winters in Florida.Clark, Mandrell and McCoy will all be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a Medallion Ceremony, which takes place every spring.