McGraw, Overstreet and Stanley Brothers Enter Hall of Fame

Tim McGraw, Paul Overstreet and the Stanley Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 18 during a ceremony in Nashville, bringing the institution’s membership to 161. The 31st Medallion Ceremony recognized McGraw in the modern era artist category, Overstreet as a songwriter and the late brothers Carter and Ralph Stanley as veteran era artists. The induction was accompanied by performances honoring the new members and the Hall’s history. Lady A performed McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” while Lainey Wilson and Parker McCollum also paid tribute to him. Billy Strings performed a Stanley Brothers song, and Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs joined for “Rank Stranger.” Jamey Johnson sang Overstreet’s “Forever and Ever, Amen.” McGraw’s speech reflected on arriving in Nashville on May 9, 1989, the day country singer Keith Whitley died. Whitley had been a musical influence on McGraw and had been part of Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. Overstreet co-wrote “When You Say Nothing at All,” one of Whitley’s hits. McGraw connected those relationships to the night’s inductions and spoke about his path into country music. He also thanked his mother, Betty...