More of a hybrid of Country and Southern Rock than most people realize, Brad Paisley was labeled as a Country star, though he seemed to have more qualities that resembled Lynyrd Skynyrd than other Traditional Country Acts. Regardless, Paisley is in the same boat as many other New Country stars in that unless the old Country Superstars get in, it does matter how much “Rock” credibility that they have as they under the eight ball for Cleveland consideration. 

The Zakk Wylde led Black Label Society has one major intangible: Zakk Wylde.   Wylde is beloved in Metal circles and as such, his project automatically gained him an automatic fan base. However, as watchers of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are very much aware that the musical genre of Heavy Metal is not exactly respected by them, and as such we don’t see any real chance for the Black Label Society to enter the Hall; despite the Zakk Wylde effect. 

Eligible in 2024 (He had a recorded singles in 1999), 50 Cent exploded onto the Rap and Mainstream charts and for the year of 2003 could be considered the biggest musical star in the world. Despite his Hardcore East Coast Rap style, 50 Cent was at the right place and the right time to become a major star. Although his later albums did not reach the success of his 2003 effort, it was frankly incomprehensible to think he could. The man born as Curtis Jackson has a great chance to add to his musical success and as Rap has been embraced into the Hall of Fame, 50 Cent could be added to Cleveland depending on how his legacy is determined.

A former Norris Trophy winner with the Los Angeles Kings, Rob Blake was named a First Team All Star once and a Second Team All Star three times. Blake was a member of the Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Championship in 2001 as well as an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2002 for the Canadian National Team.