Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and Toby Brown have been announced as the 2025 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Country Music Association (CMA) CEO Sarah Trahern, Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young and country music icon Vince Gill unveiled the “Class of 2025” during a special ceremony held at the iconic Rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, which was streamed live on CMA’s YouTube Channel. Tony Brown will be inducted in the Non-Performer category, which rotates every three years with the Songwriter and Recording and/or Touring Musician categories. Cash will be honored in the Veterans Era Artist category, while Chesney will be recognized in the Modern Era Artist category.
“This year’s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music,” Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, shared. “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… It is with great pride that we honor these three remarkable individuals and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created within our format.”
“All three of the new inductees have left indelible impacts on the genre and firmly established themselves as unforgettable contributors to Country Music,” Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer, added. Young continued, “North Carolina native Tony Brown is a trailblazing record producer and executive who has helped shape the sound of modern Country since the 1980s, supervising many best-selling records while also ushering in outsider talents to the genre. Virginia-born June Carter Cash was a vibrant torch-bearer of her family’s enduring Country Music legacy who forged her own distinctive path during her more than 60-year career as a beloved singer, comedienne and songwriter. And Kenny Chesney, from Tennessee, has maintained one of the biggest hit making careers in Country Music since 2000, with more than 50 Top 10 hits, 16 Platinum albums, and is a regular top touring act who continues to delight audiences. Fittingly, they will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame with their illustrious peers who shaped our art form.
Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney, a dreamer from East Tennessee, chased his passion for music to Nashville, blending his love of country, bluegrass, and rock into a unique sound. After graduating from East Tennessee State and playing small venues on Lower Broadway, he landed a publishing deal and a record contract. His 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams showcased his potential, but it was hits like “She’s Got It All” and “How Forever Feels” that launched him into stardom.
By the early 2000s, Chesney was headlining arenas and selling millions of albums, with No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems cementing his status as a country powerhouse. His success extended beyond music, as he sold out NFL stadiums, collaborated with artists across genres, and built a loyal fanbase known as No Shoes Nation. He explored his love for the ocean through introspective albums like Be As You Are and Songs for the Saints, while keeping his sound fresh with genre-blending hits like “American Kids.”
With multiple CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year awards, record-breaking stadium tours, and groundbreaking performances, including being the first country artist at Sphere in Las Vegas, Chesney has become a defining voice of modern country. His heart, life, and music continue to inspire fans, earning him a well-deserved place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Kenny Chesney, wearing a black cowboy hat and white shirt, took to the podium inside the Country Music Hall of Fame Rotunda to accept the prestigious honor.
“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 right down the road 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’d have told that kid that night on a hot summer night in east Tennessee that this was going to happen, I would’ve told you that you were crazy,” he began. “[or that] he was going to be in the country Music Hall of Fame, to be inducted with June Carter. I would’ve told you that was an unbelievable dream. I would’ve told you that I’m getting ready to wake up somehow on my couch in college. And all of this was just a dream.”
“I always felt like country music told a lot of truth… It’s also fueled by a lot of dreams. I had a really big dream that not a lot of people saw coming. My dream started on the shoulders of the dreams of George Jones. It was built on the shoulders of the dreams of Randy, Teddy, Jeff and Mark of Alabama, Conway Twitty, Doc Watson,” He continued. “To be standing here… I’m from East Tennessee, and it is so amazing to know that you’re going into the Hall of Fame with three fellow East Tennesseans people that grew up where I grew up, my grandparents lived on the same street that Chet Atkins grew up in. I rode my bicycle past that property all the time. To know that I’m going in with Dolly Parton is a huge deal for me. And to also know that I don’t have a brother in life, but if I did, it would be Dean Dillon. Dean Dillon and I have written a lot of songs, I’ve looked up to Dean my whole creative life. He was someone that really taught me a lot about creating with a lot of authenticity. And Dean and I spent countless days on a boat in the Virgin Islands creating songs, and it’s one of my favorite days of creating music in my life.”
He continued, “So it is a big thrill and a big honor for me to stand up here knowing that I’m going into the Hall of Fame with three people from East Tennessee. That means the world to me. Like I said, I had a really big dream, and I’m still pushing that dream as far as I can.”
June Carter Cash
For decades, June Carter Cash was the matriarch of Country Music, uniting generations of musicians and nurturing their talents like family. Born on June 23, 1929, in Maces Springs, VA, June was destined for greatness. Her mother, Maybelle Carter, was part of the legendary Carter Family, whose music laid the foundation for commercial Country Music. June joined the family act as a child, mastering the autoharp and performing on radio shows before becoming a regular at the Grand Ole Opry in 1950.
June’s career was as diverse as it was remarkable. She studied acting in New York and appeared in TV shows like Gunsmoke and The Adventures of Jim Bowie, while still returning to Nashville to perform. During the 1960s, she toured with her mother and sisters in support of Johnny Cash, with whom she shared an undeniable connection. Her feelings for Johnny inspired her to co-write “Ring of Fire,” which became one of his biggest hits. Their collaboration led to the 1967 album Carryin’ On With Johnny Cash and June Carter and a GRAMMY-winning duet, “Jackson.” They married on March 1, 1968, and spent 35 years together.
Though often in a supporting role, June’s influence was immeasurable. She turned the Cash home into a creative hub, mentoring artists like Kris Kristofferson and Waylon Jennings. She also pursued her own passions, winning a GRAMMY in 2000 for Press On, her first album in 25 years. Her final album, Wildwood Flower, earned two posthumous GRAMMYs in 2004.
June Carter Cash passed away on May 15, 2003, at age 73. Her life was honored in the 2005 film Walk the Line, with Reese Witherspoon winning an Oscar for her portrayal, and in 2024, the critically acclaimed documentary JUNE was released on Paramount+, earning a GRAMMY nomination for Best Music Film.
Johnny Cash once said June was “one of the most neglected artists in Country Music,” but now her contributions have been rightfully celebrated as she joins her family and peers in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Carlene Carter and John Carter Cash were on hand to receive the honor on behalf of their late mother, country music icon June Carter Cash.
“I just can’t tell y’all what this means to us. To me and my brother, to our whole family, 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, and anything that’s good about me is because of that woman. My mama was the shit y’all,” Carlene Cash said before giving her the microphone to her brother John Carter Cash.
“And you can quote her there,” John Carter Cash joked. “So if you look up here, ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken.’ Of course, that song has ancient origins. It’s true. And I grant that and probably all the rest of my cousins would, but A.P. Carter holds a copyright for ‘Can The Circle Be Unbroken.’ But there’s one person who sang that song more than anybody else in her lifetime, or anyone else’s lifetime for that matter. And that was my mother, June Carter,” John Carter Cash added. “And so 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 with her through her lifetime. Millions of people knew The Carter Family songs because of my mother, not willing to stop singing the songs of her family. And just, she was made of respect for our grandmother. She appreciated the music, but she brought it all together with a laugh. And that’s the spirit of my mom and our mom. She was full of love. Anchored in love was one of her life mottoes, and we still carry that with us and press on, no matter what. But anyway, blessed to be here today, and I mean, she did not know a stranger, and she’d love you now as much as she would ever. She would be so grateful for this. Thank you guys!”
Tony Brown
Tony Brown has worn many hats in the music industry — musician, producer, and record executive — earning the title “The Kingmaker of Country Music” from Los Angeles Times Magazine. With over 100 chart-topping hits and a career that spans decades, Brown has worked with an impressive roster of artists, including George Strait, Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, and Brooks & Dunn.
Born on December 11, 1946, in Greensboro, NC, Brown grew up singing with his family’s gospel group, The Brown Family Singers. His love for performing took root at 13 when he wowed audiences at the Southern Gospel Music Festival. His career took off when he joined the Oak Ridge Boys’ backing band, later becoming part of Elvis Presley’s TCB Band. Brown played piano at Presley’s final concert in 1977 and went on to join Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, contributing to several of her classic albums.
Transitioning to the business side, Brown joined RCA Nashville, where he helped solidify the label’s success by signing Alabama. He later moved to MCA Nashville, transforming it into the top label during the 1990s and eventually becoming President. Brown developed a reputation for discovering and producing groundbreaking artists, balancing commercial success with artistic integrity. He played a pivotal role in Vince Gill’s career and produced influential albums such as Steve Earle’s Guitar Town and Rodney Crowell’s Diamonds & Dirt, which yielded five No. 1 singles.
Brown’s influence extended beyond mainstream country. He championed Americana artists like Lyle Lovett, The Mavericks, and Joe Ely, and co-founded Universal South Records in 2002. A six-time GRAMMY winner, Brown is a member of both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. His accolades include the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award, the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the ACM Icon Award.
With record sales surpassing 100 million units, Tony Brown’s legacy is undeniable. As George Strait once said, “Tony Brown is going to leave a big footprint in the music world,” and that footprint continues to grow as Brown steps into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Brown was in attendance on Tuesday morning (Mar. 25) to graciously accept the high honor. “I’ve had a lot of big things happen in my life, in my career. This is the biggest. This is cool. I don’t care who you are. I am totally blown away,” he said. “I always wanted to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame, never ever imagined that I would be.”
Brown continued, “Today, I stand here, just totally blown away from an old sixties and seventies saying, ‘I’m rushing right now.’ Anyways, thank you to the CMA to the Hall of Fame. Thank you, Vince Gill, thank you to all the people that helped me get here. There’s so many people that help me in my career, the musicians who played on my records, the engineers, the songwriters, the song Pluggers, and this is better than money. You make records, and you 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 all get into this business, is to make an impact. This means more than anything ever could mean to me. So thank you so much.”
Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and Tony Brown will all be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year during the annual Medallion ceremony.
