“It's an Honor That Defies Words”: Kenny Chesney to be Inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame with June Carter Cash and Tony Brown

The 2025 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees have been unveiled, with Kenny Chesney, June Carter Cash and Tony Brown set to join the esteemed Nashville institution.

They'll be joining some of the genre's leading lights from over the years, including Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Roy Acuff and many more.

Brown will be inducted as part of the Non-Performer category, while Carter Cash joins from the Veterans Era Artist category. Chesney is the 2025 Modern Era Artist pick.

Reflecting on this hallowed accomplishment, Kenny Chesney emphasised his immense gratitude, “You don’t dare dream of being in the Country Music Hall of Fame, alongside legends including George Jones, Willie Nelson, Alabama, even Dean Dillon. I’ve been lucky enough to get to call them my friends, and that was plenty. But hearing the news I’d been voted into the Hall, I can honestly say beyond my wildest dreams, it’s an honor that defies words. I am humbled, grateful, honored…as much for all the songwriters, musicians, artists and people who’ve helped me build my career; they have truly inspired me every single day”.

After Vince Gill revealed the Country Music Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Kenny Chesney took the stage to reflect on the illustrious journey that has led him to this coveted point.

“It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that I was a kid in East Tennessee”, the ‘Just To Say We Did’ hitmaker recalled, “I went with my mom and my stepfather to a field about ten miles from my house to see this group, Alabama, that was going to play. I couldn't believe they were going to play just right down the road from my house”.

The country icon expanded, I went to that show and something happened to me that night. There was a fire lit. Something happened in my soul that set me on this path. If you'd have told that kid that night, on a hot summer night in East Tennessee, that this was going to happen, I would have told you that you were crazy”.

Then, the Tropical Country trailblazer touched on how his sound wasn't always permeated by the sun-soaked, laid-back ambience he has become known for since the early 2000’s, “I was in a bluegrass band in college... and I played the Carter [Family Fold in Virginia] a couple of times with that bluegrass band. Had you told that kid that was playing a slightly out-of-tune guitar and with probably not very good timing, that he was going to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame and be inducted with June Carter, I would have told you that was an unbelievable dream”.

“I've always felt that country music told a lot of truth...” Kenny Chesney went on, “...And it's also fuelled by a lot of dreams. I had a really big dream that not a lot of people saw coming, and I can promise you I did not see this coming. My dream started on the shoulders of the dreams of George Jones. It was built on the shoulders of the dreams of Randy, Teddy, Jeff and Mark - the group Alabama - and Conway Twitty and Doc Watson... My dream was built on all those dreams”.

Heartwarmingly, Kenny Chesney highlighted how the fact that local heroes, such as Dolly Parton and Dean Dillon, are part of the Country Music Hall of Fame makes this all the more special, “I'm from East Tennessee, and it's so amazing to know that you're going into the Hall of Fame with three fellow East Tennesseans, people that grew up where I grew up... To know that I'm going in with Dolly Parton is a huge deal for me... It is a big thrill and a big honor for me to stand up here knowing that I'm going into the Hall of Fame with three people from East Tennessee”.

The ‘Don't Blink’ chart-topper concluded, “I had a really big dream, and I'm still pushing that dream as far as I can. I just wanted to record and write songs that reflected the lives of a lot of people that came to our shows, and I just wanted to spread as much positive energy and love as I possibly could. Standing up here, I know it's not a dream, it's real and it feels so real... This is beautiful. Thanks for having me, guys”.

The CMA's Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern, stressed that each member of this trio were deserving of the honor, “This year’s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music. Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment. Their achievements speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers, and the impact of their work will continue to inspire future generations. There’s something incredibly special about being able to surprise each inductee or their family with this recognition – it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my job, knowing how deeply their careers have touched the lives of so many, including myself. It is with great pride that we honor these three remarkable individuals and celebrate the lasting legacy they have created within our format”.

The CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, echoed Trahern's sentiments, “All three of the new inductees have left indelible impacts on the genre and firmly established themselves as unforgettable contributors to Country Music. North Carolina native Tony Brown is a trailblazing record producer and executive who has helped shape the sound of modern Country since the 1980s, supervising many best-selling records while also ushering in outsider talents to the genre. Virginia-born June Carter Cash was a vibrant torchbearer of her family’s enduring Country Music legacy who forged her own distinctive path during her more than 60-year career as a beloved singer, comedienne and songwriter. And Kenny Chesney, from Tennessee, has maintained one of the biggest hitmaking careers in Country Music since 2000, with more than 50 Top 10 hits, 16 Platinum albums, and is a regular top touring act who continues to delight audiences. Fittingly, they will now forever be enshrined in the Country Music Hall of Fame with their illustrious peers who shaped our art form”.

Chesney is currently gearing up for another ground-breaking 2025, during which he will become the first country artist in history to host a residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere.

Kenny Chesney kicks off the highly anticipated run of shows at the immersive, innovative venue in May, with the island-inspired pioneer set to deliver a sprawling 15 shows this Spring.

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