They deserve to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame: Crystal Gayle

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Last year Scott Ganschow, fourwalls and myself all made lists of those we believe are deserving of induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now I am trying my hand with the Country Music Hall of Fame. The fun is that I am not a country music fan and possess only general knowledge of the genre. Recent performers like Shania Twain, Clint Black, Martina McBride, Toby Keith and the Judds are excluded because they are almost certain locks to eventually inducted. If I had my way, Miranda Lambert would be inducted right now but she is only 36. I have looked to the past for the overlooked and deserving. The selections will be presented in alphabetical order. Our resident country expert fourwalls should be amused. Crystal Gayle is not in the Country Music Hall of Fame? What the hell? Is the hall dismissing her as merely Loretta Lynn’s little sister? Get over it. Crystal climbed out of her legendary sister’s long shadow to become a superstar in her own right accomplishing things Loretta did not. A monster crossover hit in “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” (#2 Hot 100, #1 country). Eighteen #1 country hits which is more than Loretta. Her own two major network (CBS) television specials. Born Brenda Gail Webb, she hailed from the same humble Butcher Holler beginnings are her much older sister. She sang backup to Loretta who got her a recording contract. The label wanted her to be a “Little Loretta” and her recordings were criticized as Loretta copycat. Loretta advised she find her own voice and style and suggested a name change. Crystal is borrowed from a southern fast food chain and Gayle a deviation of her middle name. Her style was influenced by country, folk, pop, rock and even show tunes and she is credited for paving the way for Faith Hill and Shania Twain who have similar styles. Her first hit was “I’ve Cried (the Blue Right out of My Eyes)” in 1970 and first #1 “I’ll Get with You” in 1974. The gold success “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” earned her only Grammy Award and established her as a greater star than her sister at that time. She enjoyed 48 top 50 country hits. Twice CMA female vocalist of the year (1977, 1978). Three time ACM vocalist of the year (1976, 1977, 1979), female newcomer (1965) and Pioneer Award (2016). Eleven Grammy nominations. Four American Music Awards. And Crystal Gayle happens to be the most beautiful country singer ever. Give her a plaque next to her sister. fourwalls, no messin’ with Crystal! I say she’s in!