Celebrated guitarist James Burton also will included in the Class of 2024.
Three exceptional artists — award-winning singer-songwriter John Anderson (pictured above), recently deceased chart-topper Toby Keith, and celebrated country, pop and rock guitarist James Burton — have been selected as the 2024 inductees in Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame.
“This year’s nominees exemplify the excellence of our genre,” Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern said during a Monday press conference to announce the honors, adding that the three inductees “have each made an indelible impact and brought their distinctive contributions to country music, enriching our format. Their influence is evident throughout the longevity of their careers, ensuring each legacy will thrive indefinitely. It is with great pride that we welcome these three remarkable individuals into the esteemed ranks of the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young added: “Each of the three new inductees has left a deep and distinctive stamp on our genre. Florida native John Anderson helped steer country music back to its traditions with his bold honky-tonk style. James Burton, who hails from Louisiana, blended country and blues to create a fiery picking style that distinguished countless hits, and has inspired guitarists the world over. Toby Keith from Oklahoma brought a sly swagger and a patriotic passion to songs that made him one of the best-selling country artists of the past 30 years.
“They have all profoundly shaped our music, and we are honored and delighted that their achievements will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
As part of the Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Anderson will be inducted in the Veterans Era Artist category, alongside the late Toby Keith in the Modern Era Artist category and James Burton in the Recording and/or Touring Musician category.
“After several days, I am still trying to grasp the reality of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Anderson said Monday. “It is one of the greatest honors I could ever receive. My love and heartfelt gratitude goes out to the fans who have supported me through the years, everyone at the Country Music Hall of Fame and all of those who made this possible. I am proud and honored beyond words.”
Chris Willman of the showbiz site Variety.com reported: “Burton’s words at the announcements press conference were briefer, perhaps not surprisingly from a man who has always let his fingers do the talking. ‘What can I say?’ he wondered aloud. “It’s truly an honor. I’m gonna be here for a long time,’ he added.”
Willman also noted that, while there is actually a rule against voting in anyone in the year after their death, that restriction didn’t apply to Toby Keith — who passed away Feb. 5 — since voting for this year’s honors wrapped up Feb. 2.
Keith’s son Stelen Covel was on hand for the Monday press conference to briefly express his gratitude. “On behalf of my whole family,” he said, “we want to thank the Hall of Fame. It's an honor to stand here and represent my father. He's an amazing man, husband, father and artist. Just want thank everybody for being here.”
A formal induction ceremony for Anderson, Burton, and Keith will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater this October.
