Lewis to join Country Hall of Fame
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis, the late country singer Keith Whitley and music executive Joe Galante will join the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Lewis, 86, was introduced by duo Brooks & Dunn at Tuesday’s announcement. “I was wondering if they were ever going to induct me,” said Lewis. “But they’ve come around, and I was really glad and grateful for it.”
Lewis had top country singles with “What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me),” “She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye,” and “To Make Love Sweeter for You.” Over the years, he has been vocal about being snubbed from the Country Music Hall of Fame, saying he couldn’t understand not being recognized for his country records and contribution to the genre.
The Country Music Association created the Hall of Fame and handles balloting. A veteran-era artist and a modern-era artist are inducted each year, along with a rotating category of non-performers, recording musicians and songwriters.
Whitley had hits with “When You Say Nothing at All” and “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” before his death at age 34 in 1989. The induction for Whitley has been a long time coming for many artists and fans who were captivated by his emotional voice and singing. His widow, country singer Lorrie Morgan, described on Tuesday how much it meant to her family and their two children to have him inducted.
“Keith never knew how good he was,” said Morgan. “He would absolutely be blown away if he were here today.”
Galante took the helm at RCA Nashville at age 32,
the youngest person to ever lead a major label’s Nashville division. He later oversaw the evolution of RCA to Sony BMG Nashville, which is now Sony Music Nashville.
The three inductees will have a formal induction ceremony in October.
Carlile, Yola, Russell lead Americana nods:
Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell and Yola are the leading nominees for the 2022 Americana Honors and Awards, with each one up for album of the year, artist of the year and song of the year. The nominees were announced Monday.
Also nominated for artist of the year are Jason Isbell and Billy Strings. Robert Plant and Alison Krauss as a duo and Adia Victoria are also up for album of the year. Sturgill Simpson for his duet with Willie Nelson and James Mcmurtry are also nominated for song of the year.
Plant and Krauss are up for duo/group of the year, along with The Mavericks, Los Lobos, The War and Treaty, and Big Thief.
The annual awards ceremony is set for Sept. 14.
Woodruff to step down as anchor:
Judy Woodruff says she’ll be stepping
down as anchor of PBS’ nightly “Newshour” program at the end of the year. Woodruff, 75, said she will report longer pieces for “Newshour” and do other projects and specials for public television, at least through the 2024 presidential election.
She was part of the “Newshour” rotating anchor team from 2009 until 2013, when she and Gwen Ifill were named co-anchors of the program. Since Ifill’s death in 2016, Woodruff has been the show’s sole anchor. Plans for her replacement will be announced in the fall, a PBS spokesperson said.
Oscars set for March 12:
Next year’s Academy Awards will take place March 12, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has announced. ABC will again broadcast next year’s ceremony.
May 18 birthdays: Actor Priscilla Pointer is 98. Musician Rodney Dillard is
80. Actor Candice Azzara is 77. Singer Joe Bonsall is
74. Singer George Strait is
70. Actor Chow Yun-fat is
67. Singer Michael Tait is
56. Comedian Tina Fey is
52. Musician Jack Johnson is 47. Actor Allen Leech is 41.