Seen at the Opening of the New
Country Music Hall of Fame Building

MAY, 2001 - Photos: Fran Norwood


Connie Smith and Marty Stuart



Amy Grant and Vince Gill



Emmylou Harris -- Ricky Skaggs


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Martina McBride -- Pam Tillis


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Possom Jones with Vestal Goodman -- Johnnie Wright**
**JOHNNY WRIGHT was the member of the legendary duo Johnnie and Jack who had hits such as "Poison Love, Ashes of Love, Good Night Sweet Heart, and Down Where The River Bends to name a few. Ý Together with Jack Anglin's brother Jim also wrote hit songs recorded not only by Johnnie and Jack but also for Roy Acuff, As Long As I Live, Searchin' for a Soldiers Grave, What About You and many others. Ý Jack was killed in a car accident on the way to Patsy Cline's funeral in 1963 and Johnnie started his career as a solo artist and scored a #1 with "Hello Vietnam" which was recently in the movie Full Metal Jacket. Ý His musical journey started in 1936 and is currently still performing with his wife Kitty Wells. Ý Johnnie pioneered Country Music starting in the one room school houses, touring with Roy Acuff in their tent shows and then went on to be the first Country Entertainers to perform on Broadway. ÝNot to mention being the mind behind the career of Kitty Wells.ÝÝHis career as singer, song writer, booking agent, and manager can not be matched by anyone else in the business as well as his love for it. Ý He has helped so many in this business it would take hours to tell all the stories ... for example. he took Hank Williams home from the Opry to his home in Alabama when he was fired. ÝHe encouraged Chet Atkins to play the guitar when he played fiddle in his band.ÝThis man is "Traditional Country Music" and has been at it longer than anyone on the face of this planet and on May 13, 2003 he celebrated his 89th Birthday!! Ý


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Trisha Yearwood -- Wilma Lee Cooper


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John Conlee -- Joe Diffie



Brenda Lee -- Little Jimmie Dickens



Bill Anderson -- Eddie Arnold, Jimmie C. Newman



Ralph Sloan Dancers



Billy Walker



Mrs. and Mr. Charlie Pride



Earl and Louise Scruggs



Jim Ed Brown, Ernie Ashworth, Jack Green