Is country music taking over the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? Last year Dolly Parton made headlines when she was nominated for induction into the Rock Hall and declined. The Rock Hall told her, “no way! You belong!” So she allowed the voting to proceed with her name on the ballot. To no one’s surprise but perhaps hers, Dolly received more than enough votes, and Dolly Parton was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. That’s when she said she’d better make a rock album … and she is! Read more about that here.

Meanwhile, fan voting for the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ends Friday. This year’s nominees include not just one country artist, but arguably TWO artist who are or have dipped their toe into the country genre. WILLIE NELSON and SHERYL CROW. Voters can select up to five nominees a day. The final list of inductees will be announced sometime next month.

So far, George Michael is leading the fan vote, but will Willie Nelson and or Sheryl Crow make it in? Is Country Music taking over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You get to decide. You can vote! Check out the nominees below with a short description from the Rock Hall and then vote using the link listed below the nominees …

• Rage Against The Machine

  “The greatest rock & roll is the voice of change, and Rage Against the Machine shook the foundations of the status quo – lyrically, sonically, and philosophically. The band mixed hip-hop, punk, metal, funk, and rock in an entirely new way. They took aim at oppressive systems of power – cultural, political, and economic – and set a new standard for how to ignite a revolution through the power of music. “

• George Michael

  “George Michael possessed extraordinary talent as a songwriter, vocalist, and producer. His incomparable vision and drive propelled him to superstardom, and he became the most-played artist on British radio from 1984 to 2004 and one of the best-selling artists of all time.”

• A Tribe Called Quest

  “A Tribe Called Quest forever shifted the hip-hop landscape and expanded the creative possibilities for the genre. Their freedom of expression, ingenuity, and minimalist brilliance continue to inspire generations of hip-hop artists and fans.”

• Kate Bush

  “Kate Bush is a spellbinding visionary, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Kate Bush created a unique space in rock. She used lush soundscapes, radical experimentation, literary themes, sampling, and theatricality to captivate audiences and inspire countless musicians. “

• White Stripes

  “The White Stripes reimagined minimalist garage and punk rock for a new generation and brought blues into the twenty-first century. They stripped down rock to its essentials and delivered the uninhibited freedom that only the best music can offer.”

• Iron Maiden

  “Iron Maiden created the blueprint for how heavy metal bands should look, sound, and tour. Throughout the 1980s, the British group released seven high-octane albums that solidified it as one of rock’s biggest bands. With a blistering assault of guitars, driving rhythm section, and soaring vocals, Iron Maiden can switch gears at a moment’s notice to take audiences on an expressive, atmospheric journey.” 

• Cyndi Lauper

  “She’s So Unusual. Never have three words so completely captured the essence of an artist. Cyndi Lauper is truly iconic, from her distinctive four-octave voice and eclectic mix of pop, rock, reggae, funk, and dance styles to her multicolored hair and eclectic wardrobe. Lauper broke down barriers for waves of future artists and empowered them to perform as their unique, authentic selves.”

   

   

• The Spinners

  “The Spinners remain one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, celebrated by fans and fellow artists alike. Initially a Motown band with Detroit origins, the Spinners’ lush, soulful harmonies and magnetic stage presence would come to define Philadelphia soul. They achieved massive crossover success, with their songs filling the airwaves and connecting with listeners around the world.” 

• Soundgarden

  “Soundgarden ignited the grunge movement that radically changed rock & roll. The band’s raw power came out of the Northwest and flew in the face of a synthetic, disconnected world to give countless fans what they had long desired: a voice and a sense of belonging.” 

• Missy Elliott

  “Songwriter, groundbreaking producer, label executive, and video trendsetter, Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott was crucial to crafting the Virginia Beach sound that took over the airwaves in the late 1990s and 2000s. Elliott forged new paths for women in the music industry and society at large through her behind-the-scenes mastery and unapologetic ownership of her body, her sexual desires, and her Blackness in her music. “

• Joy Division + New Order

  “Joy Division and New Order: two bands that share a single story. It is the remarkable tale of innovative musicians who created something revolutionary and massively influential, not once, but twice. They were gothic-rock pioneers who became electronic dance-floor innovators and a beacon for thousands of bands that followed.” 

• Warren Zevon

  “Warren Zevon was an artist’s artist. One of the most talented and significant singer-songwriters to emerge in the 1970s, Zevon wrote poetic but offbeat songs, often with darkly humorous and acerbic lyrics, and delivered them with a dry wit and a twisted energy like no other performer could. Throughout his career, Zevon built a devoted fan base and earned the respect of his greatest peers, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young.”

• Willie Nelson

  “With over 60 years in the music business, Willie Nelson (b. 1933) – songwriter, performer, anti-establishment outlaw, political activist, and philanthropist – is an American institution. Nelson may call country music his home, but he has always pushed stylistic boundaries – mixing in rock & roll, jazz, pop, and blues.”

• Sheryl Crow

  “Sheryl Crow’s voice is forever woven into the tapestry of American music. Through her powerhouse solo performances, collaborations with industry icons, and early session musician work, Crow’s influence reverberates through classic 1990s rock, pop, country, folk, blues, and the work of countless singer-songwriters.”
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClbmWkbocoY

• VOTE!!!

  It would be great to add Willie Nelson and Sheryl Crow to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but there are so many worthy nominees.

  VOTE HERE

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