[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 200 (Wednesday, November 17, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S8342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2020 INDUCTEES

 Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, it is my privilege to finally 
congratulate the 2020 Country Music Hall of Fame members-elect Dean 
Dillon, Marty Stuart, and Hank Williams, Jr. With the postponement of 
their medallion ceremony until this coming Sunday, I can tell you that 
Music City is ready to welcome them into the Circle.
  Dean Dillon, this year's songwriter inductee, is the heart and soul 
behind some of country music's most iconic hits. With imagery as vivid 
as a golden sun-drenched memory and melodies as smooth as Tennessee 
whiskey, Dean captured the attention of music fans and earned the 
admiration of the industry's most well-respected artists. In Nashville, 
the good word is that ``it all begins with a song,'' and in Dean's 
case, his songbook has inspired generations of young writers to give 
themselves up to the art of storytelling.
  Marty Stuart, this year's modern era artist inductee, is a jack of 
all trades and an undisputed master of each of them. He started his 
journey to the Hall of Fame at the age of 13 and, over the course of 
his career, earned the respect of his peers with his skills as a 
musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and television host. Today, he 
is recognized not only for his contributions to his craft, but for his 
role as one of the foremost custodians of country music's legacy.
  Hank Williams, Jr., this year's veterans era artist inductee, bridged 
generations and genres with his own special blend of family tradition, 
outlaw swagger, and a singular disregard for the rules. Over the course 
of five decades and more than 100 appearances on the charts, Hank 
proved that what many insiders foolishly dismissed as the underbelly of 
country music was in fact home to musicians and fans alike who 
preferred to create their own absolution rather than seek it within the 
glittering confines of the mainstream.
  On behalf of the entire Tennessee delegation, I thank Dean, Marty, 
and Hank for their passion and artistry. Your talents are a gift, 
gentlemen. Thank you for sharing them with us.

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