Chesney, June Carter Cash, Brown to join Country Music Hall of Fame

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 – Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and Tony Brown will enter the Country Music Hall of Fame, it was announced this morning.

Chesney joins the hall in the Modern Era Artist category. Cash joins in the Veterans Era Artist category. The Non-Performer category will include Tony Brown, a producer, musician and label executive at MCA Nashville.

Brown, a native of Greensboro, N.C., produced such artists as George Strait, Reba McEntire and Vince Gill. Brown was also a member of Elvis Presley's TCB Band later was in Emmylou Harris' Hot Band and Rodney Crowell's band. Brown's first hit was with Steve Wariner's "Midnight Fire." He also produced Steve Earle and Crowell. During his years at MCA, he signed such artists as Gill and Strait. He also formed Universal South Records and was influential on the Americana end of music. Among the artists he worked with were Joe Ely, Lyle Lovett, Kelly Willis, Todd Snider, Allison Moorer, The Mavericks and Shooter Jennings.

Brown said, "I've had a lot of big things happen in my life and my career. This is the biggest. This is cool. I don't care who you are. I'm totally blown away. I always wanted to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. I never ever imagined I would be."

"This is better than money," he said. "You make records that can make some money, but this is better than money. This is about making an impact, and when it comes right down to it, that's the reason we get into this business – to make an impact. This means more than anything ever could mean to me."

Cash was born into country music royalty, having been born into the Carter family. She had her own recording career and also was married to the late Johnny Cash. She died in 2002.

Her children, Carlene Carter and John Carter Cash, represented their mother. "I just can't tell you what this all means to us," Carter said, adding. "My mom was a force of nature. Everything she did, she did with grace and style and finesse and humor. I was so proud to be her daughter."

Cash said, "No matter what, she was a songwriter. She was a musical historian. She was a comedian, but she carried the torch for country music history throughout her lifetime. Millions of people knew the Carter Family songs because of my mother."

"She would be so grateful for this," he said.

Chesney said, "It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was a kid in east Tennessee , and I went with my mom and my stepfather to a field about 10 miles from my house to see this group Alabama that was going to play – I couldn't believe they were going to play just down from my house. And I went to that show, and something happened to me that night. There was a fire lit. Something happened in my soul that set me on this path. If you had told that kid that night on a hot summer night in East Tennessee that this was going to happen, I would have told you you were crazy."

Chesney said, "I just wanted to record and write songs that reflected the lives of a lot of people that came to our shows," he said. "I know it's not a dream. It's real. It feels surreal."

"I did not see this dream coming," he said. He cited Doc Watson, Alabama and others as influences.

"To know that I'm going in with Dolly Parton is a huge deal to me," Chesney said. "It is a big thrill and a big honor to know that I'm going into the Hall of Fame with people from east Tennessee."

"This year's inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music," said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. "Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment. Their achievements speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers, and the impact of their work will continue to inspire future generations. There's something incredibly special about being able to surprise each inductee or their family with this recognition – it's one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, knowing how deeply their careers have touched the lives of so many, including myself. It is with great pride that we honor these three remarkable individuals and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created within our format."

Their induction will happen in October during the annual Medallion Ceremony.