Known by the nickname “King Of Bluegrass”, the way Jimmy Martin got into the music business was like out of a movie. He was inspired by the music he heard in church, and a local hillbilly (living in the hills of his hometown Sneedville) taught him how to play guitar. Hearing there was an opening in Bill Monroe’s band (the originator of bluegrass), Jimmy hopped a bus to Nashville and snuck backstage of the Grand Ole Opry. One of the band members heard Jimmy playing, and brought him forward to audition. Bill hired him, and later that year made him lead singer of the band. In 1955, he split off to form his own band. This new band was focused on being commercially successful and audience friendly, using tight trio harmonies and a snare drum to keep the back-beat. This certainly helped, as Jimmy’s band was able to get some hit songs in the 1960’s. Plus they released some instrumental tracks featuring guitar runs that would come to be extremely influential in the bluegrass and country fields in the future. He would also become one of the classic artists appearing on Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s legendary “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” album. Issues with drinking would keep him out of some Nashville institutions, but will that prevent the ‘King Of Bluegrass’ from entering the Hall Of Fame someday?

Mary Frances Penick (or as she would later be known, Skeeter Davis) had life troubles, but would go to become one of the early solo female crossover artists and an influence on legends like Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton. In high school she met a great friend named Betty Jack Davis, and they performed at talent shows together. Despite being unrelated, Mary would take Betty Jack’s last name to become Skeeter Davis, and they toured as the duo the Davis Sisters. After signing a recording contract, they quickly got a number one hit. Unfortunately, soon after that Betty Jack was killed in a car accident. With her own injuries and emotional stress, Skeeter took some years off. Beginning in 1957, she went solo and ended up with a nice stretch of hits throughout the 1960’s. Her song “The End Of The World” even ended up becoming the only song in history to hit the top ten of the country, pop, R&B and easy listening charts. Her chart success faded into the 70’s, but her influence on all of the country females to come cannot be denied.

Doyle and Teddy Wilburn were brothers who started with music early and had a big impact on the genre. In 1937 at the ages of 6 & 7, Doyle and Teddy were out on a street corner with their 3 siblings, playing instruments and singing. Their father had gotten all five children instruments, hoping their sibling act could get more money for their struggling family. It worked, allowing them various radio spots, tv shows, and a six-month contract with the Grand Ole Opry. By 1951, both Teddy and Doyle were drafted to the Korean conflict. Upon returning they realized their three siblings had all retired from touring, so the two of them continued as a duo called the Wilburn Brothers. From there they got a recording contract with Decca. This led to 30 charting hits for them, their own tv series for 11 years and their own music publishing house. Between the series and the publishing house, they helped launch careers for Sonny James (inducted 2006), Jean Shepard (inducted 2011) and Loretta Lynn (inducted 1988), and gave early exposure to the Oak Ridge Boys (inducted 2015), Tammy Wynette (inducted 1998) and Barbara Mandrell (inducted 2009). With all six of these acts already in the Hall Of Fame, will the Wilburns time come soon?

If you have heard our weekly Podcast, the Buck Stops Here: Hall of Fame Show, you know that we have discussed (surprisingly) Women’s Tennis a lot, mostly the issues that Naomi Osaka has been going through.  With Osaka’ issues, and an aging Serena Williams, 18-year-old Emma Raducanu came out of nowhere to win the U.S. Open, and a star was born.

The British sensation not only won her first Grand Slam, but became a media darling and instant fan-favorite.  The International Tennis Hall of Fame has taken notice, and Radacanu’s U.S. Open game-worn outfit will now be displayed at their institution.

Here’s hoping that there will be a lot more success for Raducanu.