They deserve to be in the CountryMusic Hall of Fame: Tanya Tucker

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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. Tanya Tucker is the only country artist I have seen perform live and that was during her rock “TNT” tour. Hey, she was sexy when young and the only country female star I can think of who flaunted it. The hall sure drags its feet when it comes to inducting women. Why isn’t Tucker in? She is a big star. Too young at 61? Garth Brooks was inducted at 50. Ridiculous she has not been inducted yet. Tucker possesses all the necessary credentials. She has been a country star for 48 years since breaking through at age 13 with “Delta Dawn.” After 14 Grammy nominations, Tucker finally triumphed in 2020 winning Best Country Album (“While I’m Livin’”) and Best Country Song (“Bring My Flowers Now”) and this punctuates her case. The singer is ranked among the most important women in country music. Born in Texas, Tucker and her family moved around the west a lot when she was a kid. She always loved country music, went to see country performers and wanted to be a singer. Call her a prodigy. Mel Tillis was impressed enough by the young girl’s voice that he brought her onstage. Soon she was signed to a record contract and attained stardom with her signature song “Delta Dawn.” There have been ups and downs during her career but Tucker is that rare teen star transitioning to adult star. The 80s were a low point as she battled addiction and tumultuous love life (affairs with Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard, Andy Gibb, Don Johnson) provided tabloid fodder. But she roared back in the 90s. Tucker has enjoyed 68 charted songs with nine #1’s and more to come. ACM winner in 1972 for New Artist, CMA in 1991 for Female Vocalist of the Year and ACM 2016 Pioneer Award. She is considered part of country’s outlaw movement and Tucker embraces her outlaw image.